Raw Beginner

I’m constantly surprised at the reactions I get when I tell people that I recently decided to try a mostly raw food diet.  Some tilt their heads and look at me as if I had just sprouted three extra heads.  Others smile with eyes glazed over and say “great”, next subject please.  Still other more encouraging folk, are fascinated to hear and inquire how one lives such a lifestyle, all whilst tightly gripping their McDonalds bag.   

"Why is it that a perfectly natural way of eating – uncooked fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds is perceived as torturous and an unwelcome lifestyle?" 

Chipotle 'Cheese' Wraps

Why is it that a natural way of eating – uncooked fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds is perceived as torturous and such an unwelcome lifestyle?   Shouldn't this actually be a normal lifestyle?  Fruit and vegetables are so full of colour, nutrients and flavor, why spoil them with additives and SUGAR, not to mention other nasty’s that find their way in. 

"Something had to change" 

Hey don’t get me wrong, my mouth and I enjoy a good old burger, fresh crusty bread, cheese, pasta and apple pie.  In fact we are actually salivating right now!  However, lets just say the ole chocolate factory wasn’t producing the expected quota, and when it did, it was more rabbit pellets rather than chocolate logs.  Not having a BM (poo speak for Bowel Motion) on a regular basis really affects a girl!  Having constant, background gut pains isn’t anything to celebrate either.  Something had to change.  

Having tried a gluten free diet, I began to look into the world of raw living.  Eating food in its purest form, I believed, would help all the aforementioned problems.  Would I live like this the rest of my life?  No.  I would give myself a start date and six weeks to complete.  So after three months of research, self-preparation mentally, physically and emotionally, I bit the bullet and went RAW.

"It’s a common misconception that all you’ll be able to eat are salads"

Banana Berry Choc Layer

What would I eat?  At that my body went into immediate protest and craved double cheese burgers.  I hardly ever have fast food, yet I was drawn to the drive through like Dolly Parton to hairspray.  So I decided that I would allow myself grass fed organic meat when I craved it.  And have some raw sweet treats on reserve to get a sugar fix, like this delicious Banana Berry Choc Layer I created.

It’s a common misconception that all you’ll be able to eat are salads.  The Internet has a plethora of information and recipes regarding raw food.  Its a whole new world of breads, crackers, pastas, cookies and pies.  My local library has a generous supply of raw food recipe books, alas they weren’t on the shelves.  This was encouraging to me, knowing they were in demand and hopefully being read.  Maybe I wasn’t such a nut/”extremist” after all.

"Oh dear, the chocolate factory shut up shop" 

After four weeks I let myself have one day off to eat ANYTHING I desired, no restraints!  I ate like there was no tomorrow.  Not one vegetable crossed these lips that day.  Oh dear, the chocolate factory shut up shop and went on protest; My stomach felt like it was in a brawl from the inside.  I was literally clogged up for almost a week.  And finally came right after two weeks of eating raw again!  Lesson learned, goodbye processed, hello raw.

Sweet Potato Pine Nut Salad

Now being six weeks into this amazing lifestyle, I’m pleased to report, the chocolate factory has resumed business as usual, and production is above and beyond previous years.  Meals are quicker to prepare. Duh, head slap, no cooking! I get my creative on and make up my own rawlicious-ness.  The fat is melting away.  My skin looks alive, fresh and young (whoop whoop).  I have more energy.  And a complete absence of stomach cramps!  Hallelujah!

At the end of the day the pay off's far outweigh the desires for cooked and processed food. And as it happens, yes I am going to continue at least 90% raw, with a nice piece of organic meat thrown in every now and then.  Tummy and Colon are celebrating this decision!

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