Kendra's Raw Journey

New Year, New Beginnings

2009-01-04T20:17:00.000-08:00

OK, so I know it's a total cliche - the whole New Year's Resolution thing - but I really feel like 2009 is going to be different somehow, like I am finally ready to make the necessary changes to lose the weight and keep it off forever. (Wow, I sound like a late night diet infomercial). But seriously, it's like a feeling in the air or an angel whispering in my ear - "it's time."

It is time to deal with the reasons for overeating, time to appreciate my body and what it can do, time to feed it only (ok, mostly) healthy plant-based, unprocessed, mostly raw nourishment. I am turning 35 in less than two weeks. Now is the time to turn my health around. I am trying to eradicate or at least greatly improve the following health problems:

- morbid obesity (yup, I said it and I own it - the first step)

- high cholesterol (not officially diagnosed)

- degenerative disc disease in my low back

- fibromyalgia-like symptoms, especially in my legs and neck/shoulders

- hypothyroid

- anxiety disorder

I know that with a serious commitment to diet and lifestyle changes, most of these conditions will get significantly better. I know from a previous 75 pound weight loss that my back pain will

greatly improve, and lower cholesterol levels are likely to follow.

To kick off the new year, I decided to re-read "Eat to Live" by Dr. Fuhrman. He advocates a 6 week (and ultimate life-long) vegan diet consisting of mostly raw and cooked veggies, fruits, and limited grains (no sweets, raw or not!). Although he is not a proponent of a 100% raw diet, I think his book makes a lot of sense. So I'm aiming to follow this program as much as possible for the next 6 weeks. I know I'm going to stray a bit on my birthday, but at least I will be celebrating at Pure Food and Wine. Yippee!!!! I am sooooo excited. My sister's birthday is within a week of mine, and we're going to NYC (she lives in Queens) to celebrate. And there is no freaking way I'm going to Pure Food and skipping dessert!

This weekend was a pretty good start, I must say. I enjoyed lovely green smoothies and green juices Friday, Saturday AND Sunday. Woooohooo! My Mom and I have always enjoyed going to the Portsmouth Health Food Store (NH). But this weekend, we discovered Blue Moon Cafe in Exeter. What a lovely place - green juices and smoothies, and lots of vegan dishes. We enjoyed a marinated kale salad and sweet and sour tofu - mmmmm. I skipped the yummy-looking vegan cookies.

This is day 4 and I'm still dealing with either caffeine or sugar withdrawal. And it completely sucks. I'm hoping it goes away soon. I'm also dealing with general whole body aches and pains. Ughhhhh. Detox sucks.

So, we'll see how it goes - one day at a time.

I'm baaaaaaaaack

2008-11-08T17:55:00.001-08:00

First - HOORAY for Obama!!!! I am so thrilled that he won!!

Miss me?? No? Well, I missed you -and I've missed raw, that's for damn sure. What happened to me? Well, I started a new job in mid-July. Between a crazy schedule and the temptation of frequent work lunches of pizza and other crap, I slowly fell back into a SAD lifestyle. It was more convenient, and hey, everyone was doing it.

Then I started feeling more and more awful, and guilty, and sick - nothing serious, just that general feeling of malaise when your diet totally sucks. Then I read "The China Study" which just reinforced the complete tragedy of the SAD diet. So this past Wednesday, I started the 7 day detox (Raw Divas website) - I haven't followed it 100%, but I've been pretty close. The major problem is that I just feel hungry. And my no-caffeine-headache only went away today. Not fun - really not fun. But I need to get back on track. I have so much weight to lose, and I want to get rid of the almost daily back pain, knee pain, hating my reflection, hating getting dressed in the morning, etc. It's getting really old - and besides, I'll be 35 in January. (!!!!!!)

I know it sounds corny, but as I was watching the election night coverage and feeling completely overjoyed and inspired that truly anything is possible in this world, I realized that this was MY new beginning. Life does not have to be this way - it's time for change.

P.S. As an attorney, I must disclose that the above picture is from www.moveon.org - free stickers - artist is Shepard Fairey. :)

Long Time No Blog

2008-08-17T17:52:00.000-07:00

OK, so this is by far the longest I've gone without blogging. Even though I joined the Raw Fu challenge, I've still been struggling big time. I didn't realize how quickly I could slip back into my old SAD habits. I'm back to drinking coffee in the mornings, often accompanied by a sugar and fat laden muffin. Ughhh. I'm also eating way too much ice cream.

On the positive side, I'm still staying away from meat - I'm not interested at all (blechh). Dairy is still a problem (obviously - coffee with milk or cream, ice cream, etc) I don't really know what to do at this point. I've been using the excuse of a new job, but it's been a month now. At some point, I have to decide whether or not to really commit to eating raw. But with raw-ness in my memory, I just can't see going back to being SAD - just the thought of it makes me - well -- sad.

Maybe I just need to take it one step at a time - at least make one GS every day - focus on salads. I also need to make it fun - try new recipes in the dehydrator. The onion bread I made didn't turn out well, but I think I just took it out too early. I'm going to try some corn chips next.

Hey - get this - I MET PHILIP MCCLUSKEY!!!! I was so psyched - I was in NYC visiting my sister, and made the trek to Pure Food Takeaway - it was such a pain in the ass to get there - we got lost, and couldn't find parking - and it was already getting late in the afternoon and we had to work the next day. Well, I'm so glad I went because Philip was there in his "iRaw" t-shirt. I couldn't believe it - it was like meeting one of the Beatles or something. He was very nice, but I felt kind of stupid going up to him. Let me just say how happy I was to take the extra time to find Pure Food.

Also, last weekend I went to Grezzo for the first time (Alissa Cohen's Boston restaurant). It was fabulous. My Mom and I tried the tasting menu - which I highly recommend - especially if it's your first time there. I need to go back to the website and write down everything I ate.

Ok, off to make the corn chips - and to try to get out of this major funk I'm in.

Just What I Need . . .

2008-07-30T19:07:00.001-07:00

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

2008-07-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2008-07-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2008-07-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-14T15:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

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 . . .

2008-07-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-03T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-02T21:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

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. :)

My First Wheatgrass Shot

2008-06-29T16:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally tried wheatgrass today for the first time. I found it at an organic cafe/juice bar in Portsmouth. First of all, it was $2.95 for one ounce. Damn, no wonder people grow it at home. My mother was with me, and she tried it first - she actually liked it. I downed it all, but I have to be honest - it was pretty nasty. It basically tasted like grass. Not pleasant. What was really strange is that I felt kinda funky almost immediately afterward. Almost like I was getting hot flashes - I also felt a bit nauseaous and had a slight headache.

They also had uber-yummy vegan wraps (not raw), green juices, and smoothies (not the yummy green ones). The store itself has quite a few raw foods and books. I am completely in love with this place. I swear I want to work there. And I bet I'd get a great discount! :)

So Tuesday starts my 100% raw challenge. I am nervous, but mostly excited. I really need to get jumpstarted on raw - I've been too wishy-washy. I'm hoping to lose several pounds and gain more motivation.

30 Days 100% Raw

2008-06-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

My personal challenge: to eat 100% raw for 30 days, officially starting July 1st. Ever since I started dabbling in raw in March, I've tossed around the idea of doing this. But I just couldn't commit - I kept telling myself that I needed to gradually wean myself off cooked food. After spending as much as a week 100% raw, I know that I feel my best (and lose the most weight) eating this way. So I am finally ready to commit to this.

It will be a challenge considering I don't have a lot of the appliances, but I'm going to do the best I can. Even if I spend one day just drinking green smoothies, who cares? I NEED to lose this weight - and I know 100% raw is the way to go. I'm really excited about this. I officially signed up for the July challenge on Alissa Cohen's site, and I think the support will be great there.

Wish me luck!! :)

Cacao pudding disaster

2008-06-25T18:31:00.000-07:00

So, I decided to try my first real raw recipe (other than almond milk) today. Ummm, it did NOT go well, not at all. I was trying to make Ani Phyo's cacao pudding recipe. The problem is that it calls for 2 cups of almonds and 1 cup of water (among other ingredients, obviously). I know what you're thinking: "what is the problem?" Well, I don't have a vitamix (or other high-powered blender on steroids). I've just been using my magic bullet, which is fine for almond milk and smoothies - but not for anything more complex, especially not for thick puddings.

So basically, I tried blending the nuts with the water, and the blender freaked out. It got jammed and just stopped altogether. So I had to add more water, and more water, etc - so now it is not even close to pudding, it is more like milk. Then I added the cacao and dates, which didn't even blend - they just stuck to the bottom of the blender. Mmmm, yummy. Then I decided that although the pudding was a complete disaster, I was NOT going to waste 2 cups of almonds (really raw, from Spain - not cheap). So I made almond milk instead (with the slightest taste of chocolately sweetness). And even though I now have nut milk bags, I still managed to spill milk and pulp all over the kitchen.

Now, the story isn't over yet (sorry). I wanted to use up some of the milk b/c I had so much, so I decided to make some raw ice cream on the fly (my first mistake). I blended about one cup of the milk with 2 TB of cacao and several strawberries. Then I stuck it in the freezer (nope, no ice cream maker). I just tried some. Also a failure. Uggghhhhhhh. I mean, it's not completely inedible, but I certainly wouldn't serve it to anyone.

It's depressing b/c I realized even more I REALLY need and want a vitamix. I also need a food processor, a dehydrator, a juicer, and an ice cream maker. And all of this is hard to buy when you're in between jobs. (Waaaaaaaah). I really want to try nut cheeses, but there is no way my poor little blender can take it.

I know what I'm doing with my first paycheck (mortgage or raw food appliances - a girl has to have her priorities straight). ;)

What I ate today . . .

2008-06-24T12:11:00.000-07:00

Pretty good day so far - since yesterday, I have been making a conscious effort to be as close to 100% raw as possible (for the last few months, I have been pretty wishy-washy). So far today, I've had:

- green smoothie with 2 frozen bananas, pineapple, and collard greens (I prefer spinach in my smoothies, but I'm trying to add variety)
- Raw Revolution bar - chocolate/raspberry (yum)
- baby carrots and cucumber slices dipped in hummus (non-raw)

I will probably have a big salad for dinner - then I think I'll try to make Ani Phyo's chocolate pudding. Yum. I haven't been very hungry today (at least not yet; sometimes the evenings are tough) .I've been finding it fairly easy to "be good" the past couple of days. Let's hope it lasts! :)

Feel the burn, baby

2008-06-23T10:05:00.001-07:00

Well, I will be the first to admit that I generally loathe exercise - sweating on purpose? Yuck. LOL I was hoping to be one of those people who can say "I lost 100 lbs on raw and didn't exercise once!!" But something tells me that is not the way it's going to work. Besides, exercise is good for me - really, it is.

This morning, my daughter (who is almost 5 with generally healthy eating habits and a nice slim body) told me she wanted to exercise. Actually, she was whining that she wanted to exercise. What am I supposed to say to that? "Sorry, honey, Mommy is too busy sitting on her fat butt watching TV"? LOL So, I got off my butt, put in the 1 mile Walk Away the Pounds DVD, and purposefully broke a sweat.

The funny thing is that Rhiannon lasted about 5 minutes before she said she was bored and went off to color. But I kept fighting the good fight. I finished the 1 mile walk, and you know what? It felt GOOD to exercise - and it was nice to know I was expelling toxins from my body, as well as a little fat.

It's amazing how the wide-eyed innocence of a 4 year old can convince you to do something so basic, important, and healthy for your body. Just another example of how she has taught me more than I will ever teach her. :)

I Heart Raw Bars

2008-06-20T11:52:00.001-07:00

Oh my, I am so glad I picked this up today. I've tried the Lara bars (my favorite is the apple), and the Raw Revolution caught my eye (and I found it at Stop and Shop!!). Spirulina and cashew - OMG, so good. I highly recommend it. I wish I bought the other flavors, but they are just soooo expensive.

It is so great to see raw food so readily available - especially in chain grocery stores. Now only if they could be a bit cheaper. :)

Heartburn

2008-06-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Ughhh, I have had heartburn since last night. That is because I ate - wait for it - breadsticks from Pizza Hut last night. I thought it would be a better choice than pizza (which may or may not be true). I have regretted it ever since. What is really interesting is that I never used to get heartburn - not even when I was 9 months pregnant with a 9 pound baby in August (and non-raw). Clearly, my body is rebelling. I was not 100% raw before I ate that crap, but high enough raw that my body is now spoiled - it only wants the good stuff.

So, what have I learned? First, I ate the breadsticks b/c I was starving and did not have any raw alternatives in the house. I desperately needed to go grocery shopping yesterday, and I put it off. I need to make sure I have either raw food or at least healthier non-raw food at all times.

Second, my body strongly prefers raw - there is no way I could ever go back to the typical SAD diet. I just feel so crappy when I make poor choices. There is no turning back once you've seen the light. :)

Before Pictures

2008-06-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

Well, before anyone gets too excited, I don't think I'm ready to post them yet - sorry!! Hubby took them tonight, and they are just - well, AWFUL. :( Of course, I picked very form-fitting clothes so I/everyone can really see the difference. But wow, those pictures are hard to own up to. It really is amazing how you can look at yourself in the mirror every single day, but not really see yourself. No matter how heavy you get, you somehow convince yourself it isn't that bad - until it slaps you in the face.

But that is OK, because it has further motivated me to stay raw. I really do have a long way to go, but I have to look at it as one step at a time. I am not going raw just to lose weight, but to gain health, energy, and happiness. And from now on, I will refer to it as "releasing" weight, as "losing" it implies I may find it again. And I never want to find it again. Been there, done that.

So, let's see. Today for breakfast I had a green smoothie with 2 frozen bananas, pineapple, almond milk, collard greens, and water. I had a huge salad for lunch (lots of veggies, hemp seeds, chick peas) - very filling and yummy. Then I invented a chocolate shake that just doesn't cut it - I need to find a recipe that really tastes like the real thing (as much as possible). I also need to start making raw ice cream, as SAD ice cream is my biggest downfall right now.

The non-raw items I had today were too many cookies (which I don't even like very much) and smartfood popcorn. For those of you wondering, my preference is to go 100% raw. I know it's hard to do, but for me, I'm afraid 99% will quickly turn into 1%. So we will see what happens.

Later. :)