The One Month RAW Challenge

[Ginger]

Welcome Charlotte

I did Marilu Henner's 30 day plan back in 1999. I lost 20 lbs and loved the food. I gave up a diet coke habit then too. Since then, I've drunk mainly water. But, back then some of her ingredients were hard to find on the east coast. And it was an expensive way to eat. But I love some of her recipes.

This is an awesome group of women, you'll learn so much from them...I have.

Congrats Sim and MTmouse. Peter couldn't have two more knowledgeable and sympathetic women as mods.

Sim - I'm so glad Dad is doing better.
I got my test results back too. They say I'm normal. But, I don't really understand the results and it seems to me my choesterol level is bordering on high. Her they are:
Chol 193
Trigly 48
LDL 112
HDL 71
TSH 2.1

And of course no B12 for me :(

Ya'll are tryin' to get me jumpstarted on my next cleanse. I get back from T&C on the 23rd...I may start soon after. I'd like to go 40 days this time and I leave the country again August 18th. That's only 54 days between trips. But I finished my 30 cleanse on April 17th. That's only a little over 2 months between cleanses. What do you all think? I really don't want to wait till after the august trip. I don't plan to do another cleanse till the end of the year or early next year.

[Sim]

Hi Kids~
Thanks, Ginger, for welcoming me! I'm really happy about this BB. Mostly, I'm really loving all the special people right here in this thread! :)

Sounds to me like your numbers are right in line with the guidelines. Total cholesterol should be between 125 and 200, HDL greater than 40, LDL less than 130, triglycerides less than 150. That means you're in line. Congratulations!

I'm not sure about doing a long cleanse after only two months' break...anyone want to weigh in here for Ginger?

Hi TeePee~ Sorry about the sick babe...nothing worse than when our kids are ill. I bet you can't wait for school to end so you can do your cleanse comfortably (yeah, right, THAT's why you can't wait for school to end! I'm sure it's not that you're looking forward to vacation but just so that you can cleanse :D ) And yes! I like to make my Eggless in the FP as well; much easier and comes out great. I can't wait for you to get your blood results...you have to vindicate all of us!

Kath~ That Vitamix is mocking me. I can swear the box is smiling. No, I have not unpacked it yet...I'm strong willed but the lure of the Vitamix might be too much. I'll be interested to hear what your next cleanse feels like. For me, this cleanse (day 31 and just fine) is quite different. I'm not having the same detox symptoms...this time, it's lighter but the detox is more like food cravings for things I never really ate in any quantity anyway: cheese, seafood, pasta. I'm surprised that I have no desire for sugar or cake, my two previous favorite substances. And I can't even really say I'm having uncontrollable urges...more like fleeting, wistful thoughts. And then they're gone, thank goodness. And I still enjoy the aromas without needing to eat any of it. And it's interesting that you're calmly, deliberately making your way to a cleanse instead of anticipating denial and needing to fill the gap with the foods you anticipate you'll miss...I think it's because since you've been mostly raw, your body isn't feeling the need for those other things. You've already de-toxed them out of your system. Sounds a little like hocus-pocus, but you're living the reality so I believe it. I'm excited for you because I want to see if you think this cleanse goes easier than previously. This piggybacks on what Res was saying....

Res~ I think you are dead-on 100% right about layers of cleansing, which is why I'm a fan of extended cleansing...I don't think 10 days would have done much for me, but now at 31, I'm seeing some things that I just can't believe, including some eliminations of SOLIDS after all this time! Oh gee, I wonder where THAT comes from? Well, actually, I'm not wondering at all. On one of the websites for a bowel cleanse that I had been researching (but will not do), there was a story about a man who used that particular cleanse and saw a red piece of plastic in his stool. Turned out to be the little red shoe of a Barbie doll of his sister's that he had swallowed as a kid. The guy was 48 years old! Yes indeed, things stick in our intestines and I've read that the MC is just as good a cleanse as any other that uses psyllium husk and bentonite clay. I think the MC is even better because I don't like the thought of eating clay; lemons and ms are much more palatable and natural. Layers of cleansing....even spiritually, that's true. I was inspired to go out and buy "The Secret" and I started reading it and found that its basis is the credo I've always lived by: positive thoughts bring positive "luck", negativity attracts bad things. We have no time for negativity; let's leave that to the politicians :rolleyes: Anyway, Res, yes, layers of cleansing...I'm finding that 40 days is a long time (and Sophie going longer is quite something!) but this time, it's not because the swf is so awful (the first time, I didn't think I'd survive salt water. It wasn't the bathrooming that got me, it was the actual salt water; this time, it's nothing to down in one minute flat.) No, this time I'm a little worried about my weight LOSS. Who'd ever have thought I'd be saying that? Yes, I've lost more weight. If I told my family the number I've arrived at, they'd hide my lemons, salt, and ms. But I know some will come back in ten days when I'm finished. Right now, I'm just being stubborn because I feel perfectly well. Any harm in that? What do y'all think?

Charlotte~ It's so good to see you here! The recipes are the best, the advice on un-cookbooks, videos, websites, equipment is all from the heart, and the people here are the loveliest in the world. And that means you, too! That sugar sensitivity can truly be helped with the cleanse...I'm living proof. And bodybuilding competitions!!!! Okay girl...you HAVE got discipline, so this might be just a little challenge but nothing compared with what you went through when you were competing. Take it one step at a time...we're all here, we're all listening, and we're all such good friends for you and for each other. Your family will love your recipes and who knows? You might turn them on to something that will become a lifelong habit. So nice that you're here.

And once again, thanks to you all for the thoughts about my dad. He's holding his own right now and each day gets better. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that his body rallies...I even have my mom making our fudge brownies with agave (not dates) because he can have walnuts and cocoa, just not dates or sugar. He loved them. Lemonade with agave too (it has a low glycemic index); he can't really do raw but a few changes here and there might help. Thank you all for your love...I feel so blessed by you all.

[TeePee]

Hi, Charlotte.

Welcome to the board. You're gonna love it here!!:D

[mtmouse]

I'm heading into my cleanse with half of a large watermelon uneaten! :eek:

Does anyone know if you can make something like a watermelon sorbet and freeze it for later?

[mookie47]

hey guys, I am thinking about going raw( I did a 10 day MC about a month ago) and would like some ideas about what a typical day might look like. When I did the MC, I did not have good experiences and think my body may be more toxified than I thought. So I would like to go raw and detox slowly. If you guys could give me some ideas on what your daily menu looks like that would be a big help. As always, thanks for your support.

[AlessioTummolillo]

OK, I just finished the cleanse, and I was wondering with a raw diet, or just a generally vegetarian diet, if white rice was OK? There's this thai restaurant I go to, (Thai Kitchen III) that makes this AMAZING coconut rice, and I was wondering if I could still have it on one of these diets?

[Ginger]

OK, I just finished the cleanse, and I was wondering with a raw diet, or just a generally vegetarian diet, if white rice was OK? There's this thai restaurant I go to, (Thai Kitchen III) that makes this AMAZING coconut rice, and I was wondering if I could still have it on one of these diets?

You can't eat rice on a raw diet, but it's ok for a vegetarian.

[Sim]

hey guys, I am thinking about going raw( I did a 10 day MC about a month ago) and would like some ideas about what a typical day might look like. When I did the MC, I did not have good experiences and think my body may be more toxified than I thought. So I would like to go raw and detox slowly. If you guys could give me some ideas on what your daily menu looks like that would be a big help. As always, thanks for your support.


Hi Mookie~If you read through this thread from the beginning, you'll see lots and lots of things that raw foodists eat...you can also go to raw food websites and read about this. Try looking up David Wolfe, Gabriel Cousens, Victoria Boutenko. So in short, what do we eat on a typical day? Fruit or fruit/green smoothies in the morning, maybe some sprouted oat groats with almond milk, lunch and dinners could be as simple as salads or as gourmet as raw pizzas and enhiladas..the possibilities are endless. It's not WHAT we eat that's so different, but how it's prepared. Foods can be dehydrated, not baked or cooked, because we dehydrate at about 105º so as not to kill the living enzymes. We use food processors, blenders, spiral cutters to make raw pastas out of veggies, juicers to make nut butters, lots of nuts to make patés for protein and almonds to make almond milk...it's a whole new way of eating. Please go to some sites to read more about this and by all means, read the Raw Lifestyle thread right here on the bb...it's wonderful, including the recipes in the Lemonhead Recipe Box. Hope to see you here often! :)

[mookie47]

Thanks very much Sim. I ordered Allissa Cohen's big book and DVD today and I was wanting to get psyched up mentally by hearing what other people typically eat during the day. I am nervous and excited to try this lifestyle. I really love food! Fortunatley I have always been a big salad and vegtable fan. Does it feel like a diet? Do you still have to count calories if you are %100 raw? I was mainly inspired by what Peter Glickman said about his wife losing a lot of weight eating raw. I would love to lose 40 lbs.

Also, I thought you could eat rice if you soak it rather than cook it.

Thanks all of you for being there!

[mookie47]

I'm heading into my cleanse with half of a large watermelon uneaten! :eek:

Does anyone know if you can make something like a watermelon sorbet and freeze it for later?


I would think if you just put it in a blender and then in ice cube trays it would be perfectly fine. Put it in a bowl and sprinke with shredded coconut when it is ready.

[Sim]

Hi Mookie~
Ooh, Cohen's book and DVD are great and wonderful tools for getting excited about "cooking" raw! I really love food too, every aspect of it and I have not felt like I'm on a diet at all...in fact, it's the first time in my life that I don't worry about calories or portions or anything....I eat until I'm sated and I didn't gain any weight...well, three pounds after my 30 pound cleansing loss, but I also began lifting weights more intensely and have gained muscle, so I'm ot concerned about weight gain at all. And now that I"m cleansing again, I've lost another 15 pounds and looking forward to going back to my raw diet soon (I'm finishing day 32 today, going to 41). You don't need to count calories on Raw because the water content is so high in raw food that you'll get full and won't really have much opportunity to overeat. It is said that you will get to your correct body weight on a raw diet...and then you will stay there. Look at it as a delightful challenge..and enjoy every minute. And you're right about rice, although it is wild rice that is soaked and sprouted, not white or even brown. Personally, I stay away from grains as much as I can but there are some awesome grain and brown rice recipes out there on a raw diet. Have fun exploring, Mookie. We want to hear all about what you prepare!

[charlottebird]

Hi Everyone!!

Thank you Sim, Res, Ginger and TeePee for the warm welcome and support!:)

Tis is where I have journeyed to be. It's an exciting new adventure for my life to incorporate raw recipes.

I am going to make a raw pizza option tomorrow and bought some raw walnuts and almonds to blend for butters/pates.

Off I go to the recipe thread to get some inspiration!!:D

[mookie47]

Hey guys, thanks Sim for the info. I have a weird question. I have been eatng about 95% raw for the past days and today I don't feel that great. Do you think I am detoxing a little bit? Do you guys experience detox effects on the raw diet or are they very subtle? I could just have a virus or something, it just feels a little similar to when I was on the MC. THanks for any replies.:confused:

[TeePee]

Mookie,

Welcome to raw foods!! It is an amazing life changing way!! I experienced what may be "detox" on raw foods. I have been raw for 6 months now. I have noticed "things" that may be considered detox, but remember, your body might just catch a virus or have aches and pains and you are just more in tune with it on raw.

Cohen's book and DVD are a great starting place. Eat lots of avocados if you like them!!:D

[mookie47]

Thanks teepee, I'm still waiting for my book and I LOVE avocados! :D

[Res]

A guy walks into a bar...

just kidding....

I scooped out the insides of a Young coconut (after drinking the most refreshing and delicious juice/milk) and put that and raw cacao and some Agave into the blender... if you ever need a chocolate pudding fix - this goes beyond it.

How's everyone doing?

Mookie: I would have to say "yes" to the detox. I've been raw briefly - about 50 + days (?) and I'm certain I'm still detoxing. Cohen discusses it in detail in her book.

Love,
~Res

[Res]

So I brought in Irish oats soaked overnight in the fridge. I was going to mix in some cherries/flax oil/agave but I wanted it warm. No more microwaves obviously but I do have 3 Servers at my disposal at work. I set the glass bowl on a warm spot on one of my servers and was able to eat warm oatmeal after about 30 minutes. *chuckle* Just had to share that. ;)

[mtmouse]

Oh Res, you're cute!

:)

[Ginger]

OK...so here I am, going through a personal crisis. As usual, I turn to food. I've totally gone off raw for the last week. I feel lethargic, sick and up 10 lbs :eek: :eek: :eek: . I leave Saturday for vacation with the bf that I'm splitting up with.

I HAVE to start a cleanse when I get back. If I don't, I'll be a total mess.

Wish me luck. :rolleyes:

[mtmouse]

Aw, that's too bad, Ginger!

But you can turn it around right now, and at least go back to raw, which ought to feel a whole lot better. It doesn't sound like an easy time, but it isn't going to get any easier if you overeat and eat the wrong things. So even if you do want to start a cleanse, don't give up now and make it harder!

Hang in there!

{{{{hugs}}}

[Res]

Yes - I agree. If you stay on the same eating path you're going to hurt yourself more "mentally" and you need to be intact for what you're going through.

Things may seem really bad right now but it can change for the good in an instant.

I do the same thing with food - and if there would've been a chocolate cheesecake in front of me today I would've gone head first into it. :o

*Since you DO turn to food - eat all the fresh fruit first, peaches, plums, watermelon, cantalope - that sort of stuff. Fake yourself out by telling yourself you can eat the junk/wrong food AFTER you have the fruit and a salad. Sounds really dumb but it actually works. By the time you're done eating the good stuff you're full and the craving is sated.

*we're with you! :)

Love,
~Res

[Sim]

Aw, Ginger....
Awful, terrible, horrible....but YOU are awesome, terrific, and a hot-potato, sweetheart!!! :D

Don't let life get you down! Oooh, we all know so well that feeling of "I'm miserable and therefore I'm going to eat every comfort food in the world to take away my hurts." And the comfort food does nothing but cause DIScomfort and we wind up feeling worse because we've actually done ourselves physical harm with our eating. Ginger, we love you! Don't beat yourself up...Res and Kathy are so right about getting back onto the right path, even if you've indulged too much for the moment. Not only will you feel better physically, but you'll feel great to be back in control of yourself...that alone is worth the effort because it's half the battle. Control, Ginger. You can't control all the personal crises or the boyfriend stuff, but your own eating and your own health? They're yours, you own them. Go for it, girl. We're right here with you. Tons of hugs to you.:o

[Res]

Stacy: Your mailbox is full. ;)

Love,
~Res

[mtmouse]

I would think if you just put it in a blender and then in ice cube trays it would be perfectly fine. Put it in a bowl and sprinkle with shredded coconut when it is ready.

Thanks, mookie,

That's exactly what I ended up doing. The cubes are in the freezer as I speak!

I don't know about eating them frozen (I just got around to doing this yesterday, so of course I can't taste any of it), but at the very least I can put them in a GREEN SMOOTHIE!

Take that, Res, and spackle your house with it! :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Sim]

[QUOTE=Res]Stacy: Your mailbox is full. ;)
Not anymore :D

[Nance]

Nance, you're brave visiting here with so many days left on your cleanse! So many good questions. Hey, what's with the 51 year old crowd? Me too! Hmmm.... Perhaps we should just pick a day next year for our group 52nd BD party. Here's an idea, J Cornbleet visits southern California a few times each year and is willing to offer a full-day cooking class (in addition to the longer class she teaches in northern California) if there are enough folks interested. So ... since she is so cute and fun, it would make a great outing for a group BD. I'll plan for my husband to be out on a business trip and you could all stay with me. Traffic is horrible here, but the weather is generally pretty good and we could take a field trip to Matt Amsden's restaurant. There are worse places than southern Cal. Just dreaming out loud.

Hey, sunny southern CA sounds, great, but I am probably going to spend my plane ticket on aCuisinart 11 cup food processor, and eventulaly the Omega 8005. yes, let's hear it for the 50 somethings!!!! I turned 51 in February.

I used to live in AZ, now in MO. We made pilgrimages to the beach, which I sorely miss, AHHHH all that salt water!! But thank you for the invite!! My heart is warmed!

OK if I can only get one or two applicances at a time . . . it looks like the Cuisinart Food Processor and the veggie 'pasta cutter' thingie should be first. . . .I have a cheapie, but adequate juicer now, an old blender, and my roomie is selling me her Excaliber 9 tray dehydrator for $120. (She has a Green Star juicer!) Somebody wrote that Bed, Bath & Beyond with a 20% coupon got her a Cuisinat FP at about $160. .. I have a coupon!

OK, thanks everyone on this site, you guys are WONDERFUL! OXOXOO
The support is incredible!

[mfish]

Question Please-
I'm currently on my 2nd MC, and trying to plan my eating after the cleanse-which I did not do the first time around. I want to go RAW for 30 days when I'm finished. I do not have unlimited funds....so I have a few questions.....

If I bought only one book-which should it be?
If I bought only one kitchen gadget-which should it be?

Any and all input would be appreciated....looking at the kitchen gadgets online scare me a little.....there are so many and they are so highly priced (i'm sure they are worth it). I just need to know what I need to get started....I can add to both the book and kitchen collection at a later day, just a little scared about starting!

Oh-I should add, I have no books on RAW eating, but many vegetarian cook books, The China Study and I've ordered Food Revolution. I have a blender and food processor too!

Thanks!

Michelle

[mtmouse]

mfish

My opinion: if you've got a blender and food processor, I would suggest a dehydrator next. I don't think you necessarily have to buy a super-fancy one to start (some on here might disagree, LOL). Get one you can afford (make sure it can dry at a low heat) and find out if you're going to stick with it. Later on you can upgrade.

And again my opinion: Alissa Cohen's Living on Live Food. Second choice: Cornbleet's Raw Food Made Easy.

Have fun!

[Sim]

mfish

My opinion: if you've got a blender and food processor, I would suggest a dehydrator next. I don't think you necessarily have to buy a super-fancy one to start (some on here might disagree, LOL). Get one you can afford (make sure it can dry at a low heat) and find out if you're going to stick with it. Later on you can upgrade.

And again my opinion: Alissa Cohen's Living on Live Food. Second choice: Cornbleet's Raw Food Made Easy.

Have fun!


These are great suggestions, Michelle...Kathy's got it right BUT I kind of disagree about the dehydrator...I think it's worth it 1000% to get the Excalibur 9 tray with the timer. Just my 2 cents :)

[mtmouse]

Told ya somebody'd disagree with me! :D :D

[Ginger]

Thanks for the kind words guys. I leave in a few hours for Grand Turk. See ya'll when I get back8)

[mfish]

THANKS MTMOUSE AND SIM I will purchase the book and then decide to commit on the gadget

[Res]

Speaking of dehydrator: It took me a week to make Cohen's pizza (the 2nd one) after I soaked the buckwheat groats (OK, so although they sprouted I'm still eating wheat. So am I in trouble if I'm eliminating grains from my diet?). This is definitely a weekend project unless you work from home. :o

So finally they're done and it's late last night so I'm putting them into the fridge and wrestled with tasting one. I remember Kathy raving about them and they did look good so I just decided to try a bite and then go to bed. Well 3 small pizzas later! You just don't know until you try it. That pretty much sums up this Raw endeavor. If I can eat raw pizza that tastes like that and I don't feel like a bloated pig then or the next day then why would I want to go back to what makes me feel bad? There is an answer for that and it goes something like, eating isn't just about filling your stomach - it's also very social and emotional. I can tie in pizza eating with really great family and friends moments. Sure, regular pizza oozes cheese and it does taste good, but I always pay the price later with a stomach ache or just getting fat. It's what I'm "Used to". So - I'm back to reprogramming my brain. So should I do what I normally do because it's what's "normal" to me, or do what's BEST for myself because truly I'm not missing out on anything NOT eating regular pizza. If I really need a "cheese" fix there's Raw Cheese that I can eat if I want to. The RAW PIZZA I made isn't lacking anything. I'm still amazed at how good it is.

I used Cohen's marinara and cheeze sauces and my toppings were; thinly sliced onions, sliced roma tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh garlic, fresh oregano sprigs, red bell pepper. Kathy said she freezes hers and then heats them up in the dehydrator. It's perfect for those days when you don't want to throw anything together. Pizza and a salad makes a meal.

Cohen (I think) makes regular sized pizza. I made a bunch of small ones. Delicious.

Hope everyone is doing well. :)

Love,
~Res

[mtmouse]

I used Cohen's marinara and cheeze sauces and my toppings were; thinly sliced onions, sliced roma tomatoes, mushrooms, fresh garlic, fresh oregano sprigs, red bell pepper. Kathy said she freezes hers and then heats them up in the dehydrator. It's perfect for those days when you don't want to throw anything together. Pizza and a salad makes a meal.


Thrilled you like them too!

But let me clarify: I freeze the crusts. I make and warm up each pizza as I go.

When I started out I made a big rectangle, but it broke in all the wrong places and was too unwieldy. Then I switched to making 7" rounds. I found them a bit too much food, since like you Res I always want a salad on the side. So from now on I'll make them even smaller, probably 5" rounds.

I've even been known to sprinkle and warm grated raw cheese on them! It doesn't really melt, but it does add that little something. (Animal product, LOL.) I like them without it, too.

[Nance]

OK! You guys sold me, I just bought Alissa's book!

[Nance]

What kind of grains (sprouted) are in her crust?

[mtmouse]

I think she uses buckwheat. I didn't like that, though, because I found them too easily breakable and too starchy tasting.

So I switched to sprouted wheat instead and like that a lot better.

You really can use any grain you feel like. As everyone on here knows, I'm a great one for never following recipes exactly! I substitute at will. So take your pick!

[Nance]

OK ijust splurged . .. I got a cuisinart food processor/blender combo (600 watt), and one of those spiral cutters. That is IT for now. OH, yes, and I got the Daily Dophilus to ease back into the eating mode with . . . It is still a little ways off, but this is about transformation . . . so I gotta get set for NO EXCUSES!! That pizza absolutely sold me!

Oh gals, I must tell you I am down from size 16 to 12 - 14 in my jeans . . . I actaullly have a selection of jeans, I was down to my last pair of 'fat pants' at the beginning of May! now I am looking at the Before/After photos on the Raw sites. Oh my goodness!:D

[mtmouse]

That's so great, Nance!

And don't feel bad--we're all bankrupt on this thread, LOL!

I'm going to order my Vita-Mix next week! I've been on the fence about it for months now and it's time. And maybe I'll be off my cleanse by the time it gets here.

[TeePee]

hi girls,

Glad to see all is well.

Mfish, welcome!!!

I am back on my avocado kick!!! I think I want it when I feel like I haven't lost any weight. They even had it at this little grille place I went to with my parents last night. We were across the street at the hospital waiting for my sister to give birth....

I have a new neice!!! Her fourth child!!

I have soo much to catch up on here on the BB. Almost done work, been soo busy. Glad to see everyone well. :D

[TeePee]

Ginger,

Have a great vacation. THen... come home and focus on YOU!!! And what you want!

:o

[Sim]

Told ya somebody'd disagree with me! :D :D

OOOhhh,Kathy...it's so much fun to disagree with you!!! :D :D

[Sim]

That's so great, Nance!

And don't feel bad--we're all bankrupt on this thread, LOL!

I'm going to order my Vita-Mix next week! I've been on the fence about it for months now and it's time. And maybe I'll be off my cleanse by the time it gets here.

Oh Kathy...you don't know HOW broke! Uh-oh...about to get your Vitamix? I can't wait to hear all the recipes that you don't follow and that turn out better than anyone's anything! You better keep sharing, kiddo, because I made the pizza before I went on this cleanse (only two more days to go to get to 41!!!!) because of your advice and like Res, I couldn't keep away from them until they were all gone. Thanks a lot. :rolleyes: Just a warning: my Vitamix came very quickly after I ordered it (I actually got it from the Vitamix company...AND I told them I wanted free shipping AND they gave it to me!). And I haven't opened it yet...two more days....

Nance~ Good deal! Our new toys are the best!

TeePee has a new niece!!!! TP, make sure she goes raw when she gets older! Congratulations, girl...tell your sister we're so happy for her!

And Res~ what you say is truer than true...we allow all our old tapes to play in our heads, even when we know that our "new" selves are better...the memories of food and meals shared is a hard movie to compete with...so we have to make new movies. I don't know where my strength came from, but this Passover, I made our regular foods for my large family, all the faves, but I made NEW Passover foods for me, which I shared with anyone who wanted to try them. I was making NEW memories of times shared and you know, I didn't feel sick afterward, I was not constipated, I was able to breathe, unlike all those years when I actually looked forward to the miserable "food hangover" after a holiday, any holiday. Why do we allow miserable memories connected with food to be source of laughter and comfort? I don't know, but I can tell you that Res is right on when she spoke of the "memory" of the cheese pizza versus the beauty and flavor of the new pizza. I like the thought of "reprogramming" and the following question: Do I want to eat every substance that I've been used to, that's always seemed so delicious, but that will make me ill by the time I'm a "golden ager" (or before) or do I want to "reprogram" with other delicious albeit different foods, be happy and satisfied, and live a long and healthy life? Easy answer; I watch my beloved dad taking 15 pills every day for all his ailments (and he's only 80, not that old by our new standards) and I've vowed not to let that happen to me. Now, I may get hit by a bus or something before I reach that age, but at least my arteries will not clog and my liver, kidneys, and pancreas will be in smooth working order. Ladies, we really need to get together to visit in person...these are all huge issues that we're all pondering and I love, just love the way all of you address these things, small comments at a time, then bigger comments, then bombshell comments. There are few people on this side of the world (CT) that ponder out loud like we all do, from Kathy's down-to-earth, funny but sharp as a tack statements and advice to Res' remarkable insights to TeePee's sunshine, to Nance's and Ginger's own journeys, to my own awakening and development. I guess I've been meditating a bit this morning and just wanted to say "Thank You" one more time to all of you and to the Powers-That-Be for leading me to all of you. Have a beautiful Sunday, my light-shiners.:)

[mtmouse]

I DID IT!! I DID IT!! I DID IT!!

It's Vita-Mix time!

It's funny--a couple of months ago I found a section on the VM web page for reconditioned units with the same warranty and extras as new and the VM 5000 for $369, so I bookmarked the page. I wasn't going to get the "dry" blade because we grind grain (to make bread for DH) in our Champion and I didn't figure I'd need it (I do the kneading in the Cuisinart). But then last night I watched the videos on the site and I got more intrigued about grinding and kneading in one container. Anyway, today when I looked at the reconditioned units on the site, they were $349! And with the dry blade it was $429.

I knew that Sim had asked for and received free shipping. I figured I'd go for that too, though I wasn't sure they'd allow it on the reconditioned units. Anyway, I decided to order the one with the dry blade, ask for free shipping, and downgrade to the $349 unit if they wouldn't give it to me.

But they did! So now I don't know if I'll ever use that (does it grind flax seed?), but my Cuisinart may be on its last legs so it may certainly come in handy at some point.

They're shipping it UPS ground and say it should arrive in 7-10 days. If so, it'll probably be right around the time I start eating again! I'm awfully excited! (I bet that came as a big surprise, LOL!)

[Nance]

I DID IT!! I DID IT!! I DID IT!!

It's Vita-Mix time!

They're shipping it UPS ground and say it should arrive in 7-10 days. If so, it'll probably be right around the time I start eating again! I'm awfully excited! (I bet that came as a big surprise, LOL!)


WoooHooo! Take photos!! :D :D :D

[mookie47]

ok guys, I already fell off the wagon before I even officially got on. I was raw for about 3 days and then as I mentioned I started not feeling very well. I do think I was detoxing as my tongue started getting coated. Anyway I gave into a craving of steak and mash potatoes of all things! I usually only crave meat about once every two months. I am still waiting for Cohen's book and dvd (my mail is slow as it first goes to my husband's office). I had a very delicious raw breakfast this morning and I will try to stay raw. So here I go again!

Nance, I was curious how long you have been raw to go down two sizes? and

Sim, where in CT are you? I am in NY very close to the CT border.

Sending Love and Light to Ginger...

Best wishes to everyone and again, thanks for being here.:)

[mtmouse]

Mookie,

Don't be so hard on yourself! Choosing to eat raw (or mostly raw) isn't like being on the cleanse; it doesn't have to be all or nothing. Just adding more raw foods into your diet can help. And the occasional slide off isn't the end of the world.

Like you said, you can just start up again. Maybe over time you'll realize that you like eating raw best and will stay there 100% of the time. Maybe you'll end up somewhere in the middle. But know that you're still doing a lot better for yourself than you used to!

Now, when we did the actual challenge, we all (I think there were three of us, LOL) stayed raw the whole time (except I only went 28 days, I think). We did that for a specific reason: to force ourselves to "think raw" and learn to handle challenges and try lots of new recipes. That's a whole different thing from gradually switching your focus from cooked to raw.

So stop beating yourself up and instead, start thinking "how do I feel after eating that? what does my body feel like eating now?" and so on. And respect yourself!

[charlottebird]

Hi Everyone!

Well, I have NOT been eating as much raw foods as I would like and I can feel the difference!:o

I have my dehydrator now and am going to try some pizza recipes this week.

I have noticed that it really takes major planing to figure out how and what needs to be done to get your raw meal ready to serve. It's just a bit more adjusting but once I get the hang of a few dehydrator recipes then I will know what to expect.

I like the idea that you can prepare the crusts and freeze them. Thanks for the suggestions there and now I am going to get have to get Cohen's book. I have some great recipes in the The Strive Diet book but it isn't completely raw-food-only.

Oh ,thanks again for posting all your insights, observations and experiences. It's encouraging to us 'rawbies' (raw food newbies!!)!:D

[mtmouse]

Charlottebird,

Really, we're all rawbies :) here! Except for Sim and TeePee, who I think have been all raw since about January, the rest of us didn't try it until our challenge, which was just a little while ago. So you really aren't very far behind! :)

It's really fun to have a bunch who are all trying new recipes and sharing about techniques (and, yes, expensive tools!) and approaches and questions. We have a lot of fun here!

And of course I shouldn't be here right now, but don't tell anyone! 8)

[Nance]

[QUOTE=mookie47]Nance, I was curious how long you have been raw to go down two sizes? [QUOTE]

Hey MOOKIE47 . . . I have not gone raw yet, I am on Day 42 of MC . . . I plan to EASE off the MC in a week or so to broth and fresh juices, no solids until after July 7. I am slowly collecting the stuff to do raw right wswith . . . so I hope to be a permanent fixture on this BB!

[danceshine]

Hi everyone. I'd like to experiment with sprouting. I have some almonds...can anyone give me the quick and dirty on getting them to sprout? Cheers, -danceshine

[mtmouse]

According to two different sources I just looked up, almonds won't actually sprout, but only swell. If you want soaked almonds, do it for 8-12 hours.

[Sim]

Hi Mookie~
I'm in Trumbull, right near Bridgeport...where are you? How fun that we're on the same side of the world together...you know what THAT means...we could, if we wanted to, actually get together and maybe even do a little tandem raw prep! And as Mtmouse says, there's no such thing as "falling off the wagon"...do what feels good and right to you. I would caution you to try to become aware of what you crave versus what you need/makes you feel well. This week, for the first time since January, gooey cheese pizza with clams, garlic, shrimp, and spinach are looking really good to me...I won't eat any of it, but suddenly it looks good again. I know this is just "memory hunger" and I won't give in to it because it was what made me go on the MC and raw diet in the first place: I simply didn't feel well from what I was eating. The memory of acid reflux is much stronger and more influential than the memory of how yummy cheese pizzas are. But what would happen if I had a bite? Absolutely nothing, nor would I feel like I ruined myself....we're all just human and indulging in a food fantasy once in awhile does not mean we should self-flagellate and repent. :D Be happy with incorporating more raw into your diet and if you should ever want to go all raw, then you will.

A word here about raw: just as the MC affects us all a little differently, so does raw AND the decision to go raw. I've read now in countless books that it's almost IMPOSSIBLE to go 100% raw all at once, especially without the help of a coach or buddy to help you in the kitchen. Well, I'm nothing amazing, just a regular girl, and I went raw the way I do everything in my life: I just made the decision and did it, never looked back, 100% of the time. This does not mean I am particularly strong or better or more dedicated; it just means that's how I have to do things, that's the way I function. I want to make sure that all raw newbies NEVER feel it's all or nothing because trying a new raw recipe should be a joy not a hardship. Charlottebird was right: At first, raw DOES require a lot of advance planning, until you get a hang of the rhythm. And guess what? I STILL don't have the rhythm quite right but I solve the problem by saying: Oops, didn't get that stuff into the dehydrator on time, guess I'll just make something else for dinner. No stress at all, just opportunities to eat something different and perhaps a little more simple. I've noticed that after I've made a few intricate things, I crave the peace and quiet of a simple nut paté in nori or even just a salad with a great dressing.

Nance~!! Day 42 and you're not going to have solids until July 7th??? WOW. That's a mighty long time, girl. Just be sure you're feeling well, okay? I'm on Day 40, tomorrow is my last day and I'm getting ready to break open the box that contains my new Vitamix!!! Update: to be honest, kids...I'm feeling just a tad fuzzy. I think it must be the weight loss because I am now officially the size of a fourth grader (okay, I exaggerate, but only a little...I weigh less than 100 pounds and I don't think it's a good weight for me to be...BUT my first CSA box of produce will be picked up on Thursday, I've got my recipes ready, and I'm all set to gain back a little weight. I'm hoping it will be fun.

Kathy~oooh, bad girl for being here...wait a minute, that makes me bad too! But only by one day...:D ) Hey, no one's perfect ;)

[mtmouse]

Another thing about those "mistakes", not into the dehydrator on time: you can always eat it RAW! LOL. All the food we make raw can be eaten at any time. It's not like batter with raw egg, or undercooked meat, or anything. If you don't want to wait until it's dry, eat it wet!

:D :D :D :D :D :D

[mookie47]

thanks Sim and everyone else for their support. Nance and Sim! So impressed with you both for your lengthy MC! What prompted you to do it for so long? Also, how is your tongue looking? What kinds of changes did you go through? Sim, I live in Duthcess County NY which borders Sharon CT. Sharon is on the CT western border a little to the north. Do you know of any raw food restaurants? I'm about an hour away from the Berkshires and they have a lot of funky good restaurants there. So far I'm enjoying the raw food - love not counting calories! Tried to make Nori rolls last night with guacalmole and veggies on the inside. they were very delicious, but VERY messy.:)

[Nance]

OK I know this is a RAW thread . . . I'll share briefly about this long MC and then back to the RAW!

Dear mookie.

thanks for your honesty about adjusting to raw . . I must say a steak and mashed potatoes sound really good (in theory) right now. I sometime wonder how I will do. Keep us posted . . . we will all walk a different balance. :rolleyes:

Thank you for asking about my fuzzy tongue . . . I had not looked in a few days and it is almost all pink. I am feeling very well today, actually, my sense of humor came back. I still weigh in over 160. I am very happy with 150's after this and explore raw down to 140s. 140's size 10 - 12 are fine for me.

Emotionally, I have been through some great detox. Today I had a very good cleanse conecerning my divorce. :( Was married 1980 - 2000. Oh I fall in love (infatuation) so easily, and then hide in food self-medication. . . this cleanse is addressing those areas of addiction.

I am going so long because I started on May 7-8 and about week or so later some of my friends called a 40 day fast. SO, there I was at day 12 or so . . . and made the decision to stick it through with them. SO, I would like to go to 51 (my age) MC and total 56 (year I was born) on raw juice. I am ready to shift over sooner if I hit the wall. :eek:

SIM Was it your dad who was so ill? How is he!!!??? HOW ARE YOU??? HOW IS YOUR VITA MIX??

DANCESHINE ( I love that!) I JUST ordered some stuff that Handy Pantry (from Arizona) makes. They have a website I think, though I didn't get the booklet or order the stuff there. The little booklet is very handy. I already started sprouting (facination with RAW and LIVE) and am giving them away to my roommates. :D I had some old seeds and they sure didn't sprout as readily as some fresh ones I just got . . . I will let you know how my Handy Pantry sprouting bowls work out.

[mtmouse]

Hey, Sim,

When do you go to Ireland?

[Sim]

Hi buddies...sorry I've been MIA...too much to do! Kath, I leave for Ireland on June 29th...have to get back to eating before then :D

Nance~ Yes, it was my dad and he's doing better, thank you sooooooooo much for asking. :) I haven't opened my Vitamix yet because....TA DA! I just finished my 41 day cleanse yesterday (Tuesday)...and today it's OJ!!!!

Mookie~ I know exactly where Sharon, CT and Dutchess County, NY are...been to both places many times. Don't know of raw restaurants up that way...actually, I've not been to many restaurants--raw or not--since I started on Raw in January. (Too much good food at home, plus I love experimenting!).

So now we know why Nance is doing such an extended cleanse...good for you, Nance, just monitor how you feel. And me? Just plain stubborness. My first 40 day cleanse was in December, done because I really wasn't feeling well and my SAD diet was the cause, I'm sure. So I did 40 great days, went on raw, and in May decided to do another cleanse, this time 41...just to make sure I was REALLY cleansed. So now, let me share: I think this second long cleanse was over-the top....at 30 days, I felt done. No, my tongue didn't get pink. I guess the tongue thing is not a good indicator for me because even after my first cleanse, the tongue didn't clear until I started eating! Anyway, at about 35 days, I could no longer run my usual 5 miles per day. I was fatigued and getting brain fuzzy. But because I'm so stubborn and I had said the magic number was 41, I continued. Okey-doke, no harm done. I'm fine, doing OJ this morning, and happy as a lark. I do want to report one major downside: I have now had to field the concern of several people, including very close friends, family members, and my rabbi who were concerned that I am anorexic!!! Obviously, they can't know me very well if they think I could ever be fearful of food BUT the reason they were worried is very obvious: I now weigh 95 pounds. That's a "never in my life" weight and frankly, I look painfully bony, a lot like Matt Amsden, only he has more hair than I do :D So the worried friends can be excused because anyone who knows me knows instantly that I look...different. I'm looking forward to the happy prospect of gaining back 10 or even 15 pounds. I've never said that in my life, either. Overall, I'm all for longer cleanses...and I think I've gotten over my stubborness, too. The fact that I could have SOLID elimination at day 34-36 tells me there's always more to cleanse. I won't be cleansing again until January and then it will probably be 10 days to 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to finding out how much weight I'll gain back on raw. For the record: I started my first cleanse at 141, went down to 111, gained anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds, and if I started my second cleanse at 116, I've lost another 21 pounds. Grand total: 46 pounds gone since December, but that's way too much.

Back to Raw: YIPPEE!

[mtmouse]

Congratulations, Sim!

Only 9 days to get back to eating after 41? Sounds alarmingly small, but I guess it's probably right on! Enjoy your OJ!

I've never considered going longer than 20 myself, but I will admit to some developing interest due to your experience. This time I'll stop somewhere between 14 and 17, because now it turns out I'm having guests for dinner in early July.

One thing I'm wondering about, though: Up until now, I'd kind of been thinking of simply regular (probably twice a year for me) cleanses of 10-20 days. If you say that finding solid eliminations at 35 days made you realize there's always stuff to cleanse, do you think (and I know this can only be a guess or a gut feeling) that multiple serial shorter cleanses will eventually produce the same result? Or is one always likely to find "more" only after 30-35 days?

Just trying to bounce some ideas around here.

[Sim]

One thing I'm wondering about, though: Up until now, I'd kind of been thinking of simply regular (probably twice a year for me) cleanses of 10-20 days. If you say that finding solid eliminations at 35 days made you realize there's always stuff to cleanse, do you think (and I know this can only be a guess or a gut feeling) that multiple serial shorter cleanses will eventually produce the same result? Or is one always likely to find "more" only after 30-35 days? Just trying to bounce some ideas around here.

What a great question, Kathy~ I wish I knew the answer. So now we have to find out from several people who've cleansed multiple times for periods of 10-20 days if they've ever had an experience similar to mine re: solid eliminations. Maybe even Peter can illumine us.

And now another question: are 6-9 days of OJ or grapefruit juice too few after a 41 day cleanse? Curiously, my OJ did NOT sit well this morning...it actually hurt about 10 minutes after I drank. And that is normal for me; I cannot normally drink OJ because it always gave me ulcer type pain. Interestingly, it did not bother me after the first cleanse but did today. This afternoon I made watermelon water to drink, to avoid having citrus and guess what happened? It hurt a bit too! Must be an "after the cleanse" reaction to something other than lemonade. EEK! I almost made myself lemonade to avoid further pain! See? I guess just as each cleanse is different, so too might each breaking of the cleanse. I'm not doing anything different from when I came off the first cleanse...so interesting. Anyone with any input or ideas regarding Kathy's outstanding question? Let's kick some ideas around.

[mtmouse]

Well, I've heard one breaking day for every 4 cleansing, and I've also heard one breaking day for every 10 cleansing. So I think 6-9 sounds good. I wouldn't think you'd need to stay only on only juice that whole time. Maybe 4-6 on juice, then moving onto whole fruits and then veggies and such? Basically following the plan Burroughs lays out, but extending each phase? But planning on being fully readjusted by 10 days.

Are you trying to drink your juice straight? I always have to water mine down for those first few days. I don't think it would hurt to add some lemonade back in. I'm drooling over the watermelon juice, as I plan to have some of that when I transition. :)

Good luck! Sure hope those tummy pains go away soon!

[mtmouse]

Sim,

Could you check your PM folder? :)

Thx.

[mookie47]

Hey guys, I'm going away for a few days (to the 8th annual International Herbal symposium in MA!), so I probably won't be able to post. I will get back to people who responded to me probably on Mon or Teus. I am an aspiring herbalist, so anyone else who is into that, let me know. thanks...:D

[Nance]

Well, Alissa's book is in the mail and so is the Cuisinart blender/food processor, and spirulizer slicer. I keep looking day by day. . . .

Yes, I am STILL getting solids out, amazing.

My associate at work has been watching me and is inspired . . . he is coming out of a 21 day water fast in to an MC, so I have encouraged him to sign on here and ask questions. I told him to water everything down at first and build up to regular MC strength. (Not me, I ate like a pink piggie (with no wings) just before I hit this!):o


Sim, is this your first trip to Ireland? Where are you going there? Have you done much international travel? The environment in those airplanes can be something to contend with, prepare for. How many hours is your flight? Hay, I hear they have great potatoes there;)

I am glad to hear your story. It sounds like you are on a wonderful completion of a pendulum swing. I have seen this in my own life in areas to taste and discern both sides in order to finally learn a true balance from the heart. I admire your tenacity to take it to 41 pounds off!

Do you take the probiotics . . . ?

WEll, girl, I am proud of you!! You did it!!

Mookie47, have a great trip . .. herbs have done me a lot of good! Milk Thistle especially!

Danceshine, I am still sprouting and giving it away to my roomies. I have found the fresh seeds really sprout WELL!

Well, I am dreaming of that sushi! In the local monthly health co-op I ordered maple syrup, dates, nori, organic shoyu, flaxseed oil,sundried tomatoes, peppermint tea, a case of organic veggie juice (to fall back on while learning to factor in raw food prep time), walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, almonds, and a couple of sprouting seed mixes. Oh, my I will not need to buy anything else besides the FRESH VEGGIES AND FRUITS for a long time.

I organized a bulk bag split among the members for nuts this month (first time I've done that) and they ordered 110 lbs of nuts and seeds! AGAIN, what did I get myself into?

How much are you guys paying for avocados? While getting lemons the other day I saw the sign: 2 for $4. LOL what a deal . . . NOT! I have asked around and I think $1 a piece is as little as I will find for now. I have to learn how to do this. . . . I came home yeaterday and a roomie had guac with pineapple chunks on celery. . . . hmmmmm very interesting!!

Get this . . . my old diet consisted to a yummy lentil 'stew' with orgainc soup mix , curried lentils, and organic roma tomaotes and a host of spices. Then eveyday I drank homemade Chai, black tea type, with soy milk. Those were my staples . . . until I started burning the candle at both ends on the job. . . then everytime I went through a grocery line, or hardware store, or gas station . .. . it was candy bars, at first one, then two giant size . .. 4 Reese's and a peppermint pattie. :eek: ARGGG. :eek: JUST SAY NO, NANCE!

Somebody tell me about Nama Shoyu? I almost got it in the big order, but 3 large bottles was the minimum order so I got other organic shoyu I am familiar with.

Oh, and salad dressing . . . I am used to getting a 7 Seas cruet that has the little measurements on the side and just following that for an in toxicatingly good Spirulina Dressing. Are there other cruets in case I can't find that one, , , and I didn't find it last time I looked at Walmart . .. OH perhaps I JUST use measuring spoons . . . oh what a creature of habit I am .

Well, good night, I tip my cup of senna tea to you marvelous comrades!:D

[mtmouse]

Nance,

Nama shoyu is raw, other shoyu is not. They all have wheat in them.

I just use Bragg's myself. :)

[Nance]

Whoa, , , thanks for the tip . . . next time it is Braggs and Nama Shoyu.

Thanks!8)

[charlottebird]

Okay, can I say something???

You are amazing examples of discovery and health! I am SO impressed with the people on this board and their generosity!! Thank you for sharing!!!

I have been soaking up all the observations of these 40 day cleanses and every new short or long term cleanse that someone documents. It's truly fascinating to me and I love all this new knowledge!

The cleansing of body, mind and spirit is so vital. The connections between what our bodies hold on to - be it our emotional turmoil from the past or our dependency on 'memory' foods - and how we feel physically and mentally about ourselves is intertwined. It's incredible to partake in the MC to rid us of it all.:D

Of course, the journey just begins after your first MC! ;) It isn't as simple as we first thought but the opportunity to explore further is exciting. You know what they saw, knowledge is empowering, and the more we learn, the less we can ignore about what isn't right for our bodies.

Update on my life; Banished the microwave to the attic. My counter displays my juicer, kettle and blender (from before) and now my NEW food processor and Excalibur dehydrator!! Yippee!! Now to start soaking nuts and grind up other grains to make that pizza.

More later ..... Blessing of goodness to you all!:)

[Nance]

OH GOODIE! Alissa's book and the veggie spiraler just came. I can't look in her book too long . . .

I went to a garden nursery today and checked out the herbs...we have horrible squirrel problem here in the city . .. .I would like to go wild with the basil and rosemary and the like, but do not want to invest in the squirrel population and end up with twigs.

Yes, I am diggin deep with this emotional stuff. . . I am so desiring permanent change!

Charlottebird, your transformed kitchen sounds great!

[mtmouse]

I haven't done it myself, but I suspect you can grow all those herbs inside. I get my basil at the grocery and if I don't make it into something really fast it gets all nasty. Green bags help, but not completely.

Or, now that I reread your post, that's what you meant? Indoor stuff?

[Nance]

yea, I am thinkin' to grow the herbs indoors in big pots, I am sure this is possible. I am really likin the idea of fresh basil on the raw pizza

[Nance]

Millet . . . does anyone have recipes (raw) using millet . . . it is a very light grain, and sprouted, mixed with cauliflower crumbles, a little flax oil, and a bit of almond/carrot pate . . . I think that would make an awesome 'sushi rice'. :D
Oh, brother (sisters!) ;) I have been reading Alissa's book again . . . I am really ready to EAT RAW!! I will have many questions, I am sure glad you guys are here!! :)

[mtmouse]

Hmmm. I've never sprouted millet, but you may be right! Of course, now that I've married the almond-ginger nori rolls, I no longer feel the need of rice in my sushi! :D

[TeePee]

HI everyone!! I guess I've been MIA for a few days. Haven't even had time to turn on computer between birth of sister's fourth baby and school ending for summer. SO MUCH WORK!! I can finally breathe a sigh a relief!!!:D

I intend on spending the summer cleansing (it is sooo much easier to do the SWF at 8 am and be home than to do it at 5 am and hope it is "done" by the time I leave for work!!!) and refining my raw food recipes!!!

I am starting tomorrow morning. Today I will gather my MC supplies and clean out the fridge!!! I have been trying to use up the last produce left in the house. I am down to Roma tomatoes and 2 avocados, a cucumber. Guess what I'm eating today!!!:p

I don't know how long I will cleanse. I have done about 6 or 7 in the last 2 years. All of them, except one were to letter and 10 days each. The one exception was I think 12. I really would love to do an extended cleanse this time. I seemed to me that the last one in January (before I went raw) my body was really ready to end. Of course, I was teaching and the holidays were in full swing, so I hope my body lets me go past that this time, since I'm off for summer. My boyfriend's vacation is scheduled for the last week in July and first week in August. I think we are going away, so I am going to try to go long enough to break back in and get some raw time in too. So maybe 3 weeks as I look at the calendar. We'll see!

I know I will be checking in on this board because it is full of such awesome inspiring people, but maybe I'll see some of you on the master cleanse board!!!

Enjoy this beautiful day!!8)

[Res]

Just checking in. I'm at work but wanted to say "hi" to everyone. This is my favorite thread and I always enjoy reading about how and what everyone is doing. Sorry this is quick.

Love,
~Res

[mtmouse]

My Vita-Mix is here! I'll be picking it up this afternoon. Woo-hoo!!!

[HealthyBiz]

Just jumping in to say I LOVE http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/love014.gif my month-new Vitamix. It is so much fun to use. And when I was out of town last week and packed my Oesterizer blender (which is now my travel blender), the lumpy Green Smoothies it made no longer seemed as good as the smooth blend of the Vitamix. I wish all of you with new Vitamix blenders as much fun as I'm having! :) I'm glad someone else bought the grain (dry) grinder. Mine's still in the box, but soon.... I'll be able to compare notes.

About Raw Pizza. I too freeze the crusts. Think I probably got the idea from one of you. But I freeze the crusts with the nut cheez and tomato sauce on top, maybe a few thin onion slices and basil if I have it. When I defrost them, I always load up the tops with extra fresh veggies and basil - that makes them really quick and easy to make. This is definitely one of my favorite raw foods. Cranberry scones are up there, too. Oh, my crusts are made with sprouted rice. Really yummy. :p

[mtmouse]

Hi HealthyBiz!

That's interesting that you freeze your pizzas with the toppings! Glad to know that works.

And nowhere in any of my materials on sprouting does it mention sprouting rice. Sounds fantastic! How long do you soak/sprout it? Do you use any special kind of rice?

[mookie47]

Hello all! I am back from my herbal conference (which was great!) and got to watch allisa cohen's dvd! It is very inspiring and makes really delicious recipes look really easy. She shows you how to prepare about 10 -20different things. I have her recipe book too which goes along with it. Anyway, I highly reccommend it for people like me who are more "visual". So today was all raw (except for coffee which I'm not yet ready to part with) and very delicious. I love that I don't have to keep track of anything. I can eat as much as and when I want. what a relief compared to other diets. I just put a test cookie in the dehydrator and we will see how that turns out. Who knows, maybe I'll have it for breakfast:D

[Nance]

Oh, boy today was the monthly buyer's club co-op order and I got some GOOOOOOOD stuff. :) :) Dates, buncha nuts, more maple, a case of dried tomatoes, nori, shoyu, last two not raw, a handy Pantry sprouter, and other stuff. I went to grocery store for the grapefruit and oranges . . . got a Good Seasons cruet to make homemade salad dressing . . . I won't be eating that for a few days, but whipped up my Spirulina dressing:D . . . talk about singing to me!

OK, I am going to be veggie juiceing after the transition (MAYBE a salad in there) until July 7 . . . then I will dive into Alissa Cohen's recipes:p !

Oh, man, I got sunburn, and chigger-bit :mad: after a day at the lake the other day . . . and not enough water . . . . felt like I have been fighting a cold, and the weight loss abrubtly stopped. . . . but . . . if all goes well it will be about 30 lbs off since last May 7. I feel great!!:D 8) :)

[Sim]

Hi kids~
Just wanted to update my favorite people on the planet (well, on THIS planet, anyway :) ) I'm leaving for Ireland on Friday and I'm so busy I probably won't have time to write until I get back BUT I wanted to tell you all that there IS life after a second 41-day cleanse...but it's a little stranger than I thought it would be. I'm downright underweight and EVERYONE is freaked out, no matter how much I reassure them. I'm not letting it get to me because the first day I was really able to eat, I ate too much to please "my peeps" and I felt ill. I swore I'd never do that again! Anyway, all is well but the naturopath gave me a not-so-good report: she said I'm deficient in protein, iron, my electrolytes are terribly low and I've compromised my five immune markers...poor cell wall integrity, she said. She also said I've "cannibalized" my body...Now, my dears, I am not being negative at all because you know what? I feel great, except for just a touch of brain fuzz, which I think is due to too little sleep more than anything I'm eating or not eating. So the real question is: whom do you trust? The blood results are real but the way I feel is real too. So I've decided to accommodate those people in my life who are worried by taking B12 and electrolytes, Biotin, and a vegetable enzyme for digestion. And some essential oils because she also said the total cholesterol is way low, which causes the brain fuzz. (I didn't tell her I felt that fuzz, but in our discussion she said lack of cholesterol causes brain fog...I thought that was interesting...hmmmm)...so bottom line: I'm seeking optimal health. Perhaps the combination of cleansing, raw, and a naturopath's periodical analysis of my blood will yield the best results. But I"m willing to examine each thing independently. The cleanse remains, but I won't be doing any more 40 cleanses in the near future. The Raw remains (it was strongly recommended that I add cooked legumes...I'm having a hard time with that suggestions, but we'll see...), and the naturopath? We'll see. I'm all for letting "medicine be my food and food be my medicine" but until I know enough, I might have to rely on the knowledge of a well-respected ND.
I haven't opened my Vitamix yet, not with vacation on the horizon BUT it's waiting for me...I just didn't want my kids to have fun making piña coladas in it while I'm in Ireland! :D
I have made Alissa's bagels...very good BUT the magic wands from Gabriel Cousens, with a little tweaking, remind me incredibly of Slim Jims in texture and saltiness, yet they only have 2 teaspoons of salt in the whole batch (15 wands). Anyone want that recipe? :D

Magic Wands- from Gabriel Cousens' Rainbow Green and Live-Food Cuisine
1½ cups pine nuts, unsoaked
1 C walnuts, soaked
3/4 cup water
¼ cup olive oil
3 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 teaspoons Celtic salt (Cousens' original recipe says 2 Tablespoons; almost inedibly salty!!!)
2 tsps. ground ginger
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cayenne
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. white pepper
15 raw nori sheets

Combine all ingredients in Vitamix or food processor (I used my Cuisinart) and mix until creamy. Spread 2-3 tablespoons of mixture onto each sheet of nori and roll up into wands. Dehydrate at 100º for 36 hours. (Now, those are my tweaked instructions. Cousens says: "Spread 2-3 tablespoons of mixture onto each sheet of nori and allow to dehydrate for 1½ hours at 145º, then roll each sheet of nori up and continue to dehydrate for another 2 hours." Well, girls, that just didn't work for me at all, neither did the 2 tablespoons of salt. The edges of the nori dried out so I couldn't roll them into wands and the nori got soggy before it had a chance to dry...it just didn't work for me. But my tweaked instructions have had beautiful results. Do what you will!) These wands may be served warm or, if desired as travel food, fully dehydrated and stored in sealed baggies for a convenient snack.

Slim Jims. You know how when you bit into them, the fat felt all greasy and salty? Well...the nuts do the same thing! Only these magic wands are good for you!!!

Please be well, everyone. And please remember that even though I"m experimenting with this naturpathic doctor's recommendations, my heart says cleansing and raw are the right way to go. Those two things are the unconditional factors that remain in my life because they are stabilizing and healthy behaviors. As a relatively sane person who has never been into fads or cultish behavior, that is a very strong statement. Be happy and well and I expect to see tons of posts when I return! All my love to all of you, Sim

[Nance]

SIM, HAVE A GREAT JOURNEY!!!! I will be thinking happy thoughts of your, missing your posts until you return! DRINK lotsa pure water on the plane and walk the aisles! Transcontinental flights are a trip, excuse the pun!
Bless your time in Ireland!

Thanks for the full report . . . be true to yourself!!

with hugs:D

[Nance]

Nance - I spent a good portion of my last cleanse buying all the gadgets and cookbooks necessary for raw. I agree with all the cookbook choices mentioned. Then, planning a grocery list and first week menu. Good luck to you. And this is a very supportive group. Glad you're joining us.

Ginger, I really see the wisdom in this . . . planning. I wrote my list on the After the Cleanse thread, and will write more here when I get into the recipes. Thanks again for the warm welcome, I hope to camp here for a long time!

I have a feeling I am not totally raw person . . . but I plan to stay open and give it 30 days at least! Have 10 more days of juicing/transition.

[JoJoGtnHealthy]

Hi I'm JoJo and since I can't quite do the cleansing yet because I'm nursing I want to start my RAW DIET! I'm so excited! But I've been skimming through these posts and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I have a few questions if someone has the knowledge and time to answer ;) Does anyone know of a cheaper brand of dehydrator? With a new baby my hubby would KILL me if i spent 200 bux on that. And what's the deal with the vitamix? Couldn't I just use a blender? and one more....I promise. Can anyone recommend or direct me to some really good RAW cookbooks?

My Husband is overseas and I'd like to look and feel incredible when I see him!

[mookie47]

Hey Jojo, Congratulations on your new baby! I am very much a newbie, but I might be able to help with some questions. I have an excelsior 4 drawer which I bought on ebay brand new in the box. I think I paid about $130 including shippng for it. Also, there are used ones for sale there. I think that you could also just buy a cheaper brand and it will probably work just fine. I do not have a vitamix yet, but my food processor works great. I think a blender would be fine too but I don't know. I am really liking allissa cohen's book and I especially liked her dvd that I bought along with it. So since we are both new, it will be nice to be able to support each other as we are figuring this whole thing out! Good Luck:)

[Candace]

Hi I'm JoJo and since I can't quite do the cleansing yet because I'm nursing I want to start my RAW DIET! I'm so excited! But I've been skimming through these posts and I'm a bit overwhelmed. I have a few questions if someone has the knowledge and time to answer ;) Does anyone know of a cheaper brand of dehydrator? With a new baby my hubby would KILL me if i spent 200 bux on that. And what's the deal with the vitamix? Couldn't I just use a blender? and one more....I promise. Can anyone recommend or direct me to some really good RAW cookbooks?

My Husband is overseas and I'd like to look and feel incredible when I see him!

I just got a dehydrator and vitamix- you could probably find a cheap small dehydrator, I got a 9 shelf excalibur with a timer (auto shut off) because I love to cook. Also, the vitamix is not a necessity, it is just really good- you could do a blender and a grinder for seeds etc. The vitamix makes sorbet too, which I love because I make raw ice-cream. It is just an easier machine because it is so powerful and has a 7 year warranty.

Raw Gourmet is a great book. It is not really that gourmet, and it has recipes for a lot of different things.

Good luck! You will look great RAW.

[JoJoGtnHealthy]

Thank you ladies SO MUCH thats a huge help! I'm heading to B&N to get a RAW book.

what do you do with the dehydrated food? Well, besides eat it! haha I've never used one and am thinking of investing in one. Can you offer some examples of what you would use dehydrated fruit and veggies for? I'm new to this whole thing and I just assumed i had to use the produce the way it was.

Thanx darlings!

[JoJoGtnHealthy]

Mookie- Thank you! I've been checking prices on e-bay it's crazy!

Candance- I am thinking of investing in a dehydrator and you sound like you use yours a pretty good deal. So maybe you could toss some ideas at me as to what you can do with dehydrated fruits and veggies. (besides eat it! haha) I was assuming i had to make food with the produce as is.

[Sim]

...maybe you could toss some ideas at me as to what you can do with dehydrated fruits and veggies. (besides eat it! haha) I was assuming i had to make food with the produce as is.

Hi JoJo~Congratulations on the baby! Oh, your husband will be sooooo surprised when he sees you after you've been living on a little more raw! Here's the deal on dehydrated foods: they're great because they add a different texture to your life, mimicking some of the cooked foods you've been used to, including chips made from veggies and yes, potatoes and fruits, breads, enchiladas, jerkys...you name it. I just made blueberry bread, carrot raisin bread, pizza crusts, rye bagels, and buckwheaties for cereal....all of this is for when I return from my vacation in Ireland (I leave in just a few hours..yay!) But could I live without the dehydrator??You bet, because to be honest, I try to minimize the amount of dehydrated goodies because I tend to overeat them...what I love most about raw is the freshness of the produce, the salads, the fruits, the desserts...when I dehydrate, it takes the "freshness" (water) out, and so I eat dehydrated foods sparingly. But that's just me and I'm just offering one more woman's view of Raw :D Also, if you decide to get a dehydrator, it's worth it to get a used Excalibur if you can't afford a new one. It is the best brand available and the cheaper ones produce iffy results.

As everyone on this here thread knows, I have my Vitamix...it's still in the box because I ordered it while I was on my latest cleanse, which was a long 41 day cleanse, and I was afraid to open it and want to experiment before my cleanse was over! Now that the cleanse is over, I'm leaving for Ireland so I didn't want to open it yet...I will when I return. For the past 6 months, I've been using my regular old blender and although it's not as easy or powerful as a Vitamix, it works just fine, just with a little more scraping down and effort. You don't have to spend a lot of money to be Raw, although I confess, I now own just about every gadget I need. I had to make a choice this winter: a new dishwasher or the Vitamix. Well, you know what I chose! :) Just relax, have some fun, look at a few cookbooks at B&N before you buy....we all like Alissa Cohen's book, available on her website, Jenny Cornbleet's Cooking for One or Two, Matt Amsden's RAWvolution...these are just a few that we seem to reference a lot here. And Raw Gourmet is great too (Nomi Shannon)...Candace is right! (She has a recipe for Sunny Paté that I have now seen referenced in 7 other cookbooks...I love it and I agree with the "experts" that it is a special, fresh, easy and extremely flavorful paté. Must be so: it's in tons of other chefs' cookbooks!)

Nance~ Thank you so much for your blessing! And yes, I loved your pun! :D I will be taking advantage of your travel advice, thank you. And remember: you don't have to be 100% raw to be healthy; just a little more than you were previously is great. And from there, you can decide if you want to be more raw or not. This is not a race and there are no prizes except for the great feeling of doing something healthier for yourself in mind and spirit! It's so great to see you here on this thread. You and Ginger and JoJo and Candace and Mookie...you're all loving and supportive people who are embarking on a new adventure. This is a great thrill and I can't wait to read about your "experiments", the failures as well as the successes! Today I had "cream cheese" (Alissa Cohen's macadamia cream) on her rye bagels...everyone was raving about them and I had no idea what to expect...they were good, the cream cheese was good BUT it was even better when I added sea salt, dulse flakes, basil and oregano, and garlic...like having Rondele or Boursin cheese spread but no dairy involved! And that's what we're doing here: looking for a better way to eat so we can have a better health experience as we traipse through our lives.

I want you all to behave while I'm away; experiment and enjoy yourselves, and please, no dirty dishes in the sink when I get home! Love you all. :D

[TeePee]

SIM HAVE A GREAT TRIP!! WE WILL ALL MISS YOU!!!

Just a quick check in here, to see how everyone is doing. I am on day 4 of my cleanse, so I'm a lurker here for now!!! I miss everyone on this thread, but it makes me hungry to read your awesome posts.

I gotta tell all of you considering raw, I have been raw since my last cleanse in January, and being on the cleanse again, just reinforces to me my love of raw!! I did have a few carb oriented foods here and there in the last month at special events. But right now all the fresh fruit and veggies are what is calling to me. (Time for another lemonade!!!)

I am going to Turks and Caicos July 28 to an all-inclusive. I am not naive enough to think I won't sample some of the offerings at dinner. Although I know I won't have meat or dairy, I may have a bit of fish or cooked veg and grains. I am doing the cleanse now for as long as I can before leaving, allowing some transition time back in. If I feel clogged and icky when I return, I will do another small cleanse then. I think that will ultimately be the balance I hope find in this health journey: Raw just about 100% with "exceptions" for rare and truly special events- IF I feel like I really want to. I've been to these all inclusives before (Sandals/Beaches) and I know what the menus are like. I am certain there will be plenty of fresh fruit for breakfast and fresh salads for lunch. Dinner I'll start with a big salad and go from there!!!

BTW, someone on this thread went to Turks and Caicos a while back, no? I am wondering how it is. I hope beautiful!! Any info would be appreciated!

And Res and Sim and mtmouse are all right. All raw isn't right for everyone. We are not robots and all need to find what is right for us as individuals. We have so many interesting people here with varied backgrounds and experiences to bring to the table. (whether or not the table is raw:D ) We can all learn from one another and bounce ideas, debate and put together our own "custom" eating and health plan. Which, will be ever-changing hopefully.

My gynocolgist aggrevated me today though, because he asked me what century I was living in when I told him I didn't eat meat or cooked food. We had been discussing whether or not my pills were the version with or without iron. I said the iron probably best, since I don't eat meat. Well, we got into our discussion from there. I explained that I don't eat any processed foods and he told me that is virtually impossible. :mad: I didn't dare breathe a word about the MC and that as I sat there, I haven't eaten any food in four days and didn't plan to anytime soon!!!!

It is certainly time for a lemonade! I'll be lurking and fantasizing about tomatoes with basil and garlic in the meantime!

Hugs!

[Ginger]

SIM HAVE A GREAT TRIP!! WE WILL ALL MISS YOU!!!
I am going to Turks and Caicos July 28 to an all-inclusive. I am not naive enough to think I won't sample some of the offerings at dinner. Although I know I won't have meat or dairy, I may have a bit of fish or cooked veg and grains. I am doing the cleanse now for as long as I can before leaving, allowing some transition time back in. If I feel clogged and icky when I return, I will do another small cleanse then. I think that will ultimately be the balance I hope find in this health journey: Raw just about 100% with "exceptions" for rare and truly special events- IF I feel like I really want to. I've been to these all inclusives before (Sandals/Beaches) and I know what the menus are like. I am certain there will be plenty of fresh fruit for breakfast and fresh salads for lunch. Dinner I'll start with a big salad and go from there!!!

BTW, someone on this thread went to Turks and Caicos a while back, no? I am wondering how it is. I hope beautiful!! Any info would be appreciated!
Hugs!

Hi Ya'll...I'm back (from Turks and Caicos) and it's been a wild week. I put on a bit of weight. I stayed on Grand Turk, and the only veggies they had were french fries and coleslaw (plus some ugly iceburg lettuce that I wouldn't touch)

TeePee - Are you staying at Beaches, Sandals or Club Med? I'm assuming you'll be on Provo? I was on Gran Turk, a much smaller island, with very little there...just some inns, bars and a couple of outdoor retuarants. It's VERY muggy there this time of year. Take lots of Bugspray, or you'll be eatten alive. I find that Dr. Bonner's peppermint soap also helps a bit. The grouper is always fresh on the islands. You can also get some good conch salad (basically raw, marinated in lemon/lime juice). Being at an all inclusive - you'll have a better choice of foods that I had.

If you get a chance, take a learn to dive course or do some snorkling. There are some beautiful reefs and lots of cool little critters. We actually had some dolphins buzz us off Salt Cay. Speaking of dolphins, thee's famous wold dolphin at Provo. His name is JoJo. I first met him in '84 while I was at the Club Med there. He's picked up a bit of a reputation since then. Here's two links of him:

http://www.geographia.com/turks-caicos/jojo/index.htm

http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=109976

I wouldn't suggest donating to the foundation though. A local told me it's more of a "Dean Bernal foundation", the money isn't really used for JoJo.

Have a great time. Give me all the details when you get back. :D

[TeePee]

Hi Ginger,


Welcome home!! Oh no, you don't have great news for me about Turks and Caicos!! I will be sick if I don't get fresh fruit for all the money we are spending!! And bugs and muggy, maybe I should have stuck to Jamaica. I am staying at Beaches which is the family oriented sister company to Sandals. It is in Provo. Last year I took daughter to Beaches Sandy Bay in Negril and although I wasn't raw last summer, I know I ate fruits and salads. I have been there plus Sandals Negril, Sandals Montego Bay and Grand Lido. All of the properties I have been to were glorious. I am really hoping this is just as nice and the food is just as fresh. I did have grouper and red snapper last year in Negril. Fabulous. I am sure I will gain weight, so I am trying to get an extra ten pounds off before I go for insurance!! Would you not go there again? I read about the dolphin. I would love to go diving. My ex husband and I went to Jamaica for honeymoon and then 3 times there after. (Then he went there to marry his second wife, same resort!!!) This is with my boyfriend and my daughter. He has only been to Cancun wiht me and that was several years ago at a lower scale all-inclusive. Defin not as nice as Sandals. I never did go diving, and this time since my 7 year old is going, I don't know if I will have time. BF probably won't have interest in it, so if I want I'm sure he'll watch her if I decide to. So, just shower with the peppermint? Thanks for the info!!

[Ginger]

TeePee - I'm sure they'll have fresh fruit and veggies at Beaches. You'll be fine. They can afford to ship the good stuff in. T&C is a desert island(s) and I don't think much grows there. We ate VERY well at the Club Med. The places on Grand Turk are not big and well funded as Beaches. We had to fly in a puddle jumper to get there from Provo. Our group of 16 divers was the biggest group they'd had in awhile. LOL. Our plane from Atlanta was PACKED with families going to Beaches. I definately prefer it to Jamaica. I stayed at the Dunns River Sandals a few years ago.

[TeePee]

Hi Ginger,

Thanks for the reassurance. I am used to Jamaica with the fresh mango, pineapple and all sorts of lushness. I guess I didn't realize it was desert like.
I really love the climate and environment of Jamaica. I hope I'm not disappointed. I would imagine, as you said, a 5 star hotel would have the stuff in. From the menus listed at the 10 different restaurants on the website, I think they have to fly the goods in.

So I'm getting ready to go out with BF downtown to see a band play. I never get a Friday night free but daughter went to Daddy's. Of course, when I'm cleansing!! I just had a lemonade and I think I'd better make one to go too. I will have to concentrate on the music. He says he is starting MC this week. I guess I am designated driver!:rolleyes:

[mtmouse]

Well, lemonheads,

I have to say, no buyer's remorse here for that Vita-Mix! I am so thrilled I can hardly contain myself.

So far pretty much everything I've made are things I used to make in my blender or food processor, so one could say I don't need the Vita-Mix. BUT, the results are so much nicer! Wow.

I've made magic wands (a la Sim), ginger walnut nori rolls, smoothies, banana ice cream, chocolate sauce, marinara sauce, fuzzy navels (a la Annie Phyo--and I just bought her book, too!), Cornbleet's sweet mustard salad dressing (fabulous!), and warmed red pepper soup. I can't wait to make more red dragon crackers and try my new lime/chili cracker experiment, but I have to finish up what I have still in the fridge.

But the best part? I started my cleanse at 165. I was at 162 after week 1, 159 after week 2. I stopped my cleanse the next day (Tuesday), and now (Saturday) I'm at 155.5! I wanted reeeeeeeeeeeallly much to use the cleanse to get me into the mode of much smaller portion sizes, and it's working! And I think the Vita-Mix helps because it's so satisfying.

At any rate, I'm a happy camper! To eat good stuff and still lose weight--what a treat!

[TeePee]

Congratulations Mtmouse!!!!

So glad you are enjoying your Vita-Mix. Isnt' it fun!!!! The first night I opened mine after driving out to pick it up from UPS, I was so excited. I read the directions about rinsing and running it with the soapy water. I was so darn excited, that, you guessed it- I forgot to put the lid on!!! Sudsy water everywhere!!! At least clean water and not avo and oil!!! Have fun!! Did you try your almond milk in it yet?? oh, yum. I'm making myself hungry!!Dangerous cleansing and reading this board. Have to still finish my salt water flush.....

Congrats on weight loss, too. I told you it would come off!! When I began last cleanse DEc 28 I was 172 lbs. Heaviest ever. I gave birth to a 9 and half pound baby at that weight!! I ended that 10 day cleanse at 160. From the next months on raw, I got down to 136, then started having some "stuff" here and there. WAs 138.5 on monday when I began this cleanse, this am (day 6) I am 135! ANyway 122 was my lightest ever and I really want to fit in those clothes again!! That was about 5-6 years ago, when I got divorced. Not sure how long I'll cleanse. But I want to lose enough, that when I go to Turks and Caicos I can "afford" a 10 lb gain probably. I want to go, enjoy and come back still at a managable weight and jump right back in. I would love to leave here in the next "decade". That's what I call 10 lb. increments on the scale!! In other words, in the 120's would be great!!!

Enjoy that Vita-Mix. We'll all expect a full report on all your creations!!!:D

[mtmouse]

Yes, I forgot to say, I've made almond milk (I still don't strain it) and almond butter in it, too.

Ever since I stopped my cleanse, I've probably used that VM 5-6 times a day.

One thing that may be contributing to my continuing weight loss, in addition to my willingness to take smaller portions, is that so far I haven't had any grains at all. After the other cleanses that's what I craved, and I gave in to it immediately. First couple of cleanses it was cooked grains, the third one it was raw sprouted grains, but I just really wanted them.

This time I'm not hankering for them and I'm not eating them. I'm considering sprouting some wheat to make pizza crusts, but frankly I'd like to drop a few more pounds first, just in case that's really a major part of the problem.

140 here I come!

http://www.freesmileys.org/emo/dance007.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

[mtmouse]

Okay, gang,

I just bought a couple of "young" coconuts. They're huge! Much bigger than the ones with the hard brown husks.

And they look all funny. They're white, and sort of angular-sided like they've been chopped with a machete. :)

So what do I do with them? How do I open them? Do I just cut them down the middle, or do I have to poke a hole like with a regular one? What should I expect? :eek:

[Ginger]

Okay, gang,

I just bought a couple of "young" coconuts. They're huge! Much bigger than the ones with the hard brown husks.

And they look all funny. They're white, and sort of angular-sided like they've been chopped with a machete. :)

So what do I do with them? How do I open them? Do I just cut them down the middle, or do I have to poke a hole like with a regular one? What should I expect? :eek:

You can poke a hole in it to drain the milk. Then hack off the top with a cleaver and scrape the sweet meat out.

[mtmouse]

Thank you, Ginger!

Gonna try it soon!

[Saralise]

So, I am in DAY 4 of the Master Cleanse, and I have decided after reading 12 Steps to RAW FOOD, that I need to be 100% RAW.

The only trouble is, since I have not been a part of this lifestyle, and I have only just moved to Claremont, CA, I am not familiar with anyone who is on this path.

There is one good thing tho, Sprouts, the brother of Henry's Farmers Market, is opening soon, right down the street!

So, if there is anyone even remotely close to me in proximity, I would love to meet you, or at least connect with you and have some mutual support!

Thanks,

Saralise:rolleyes:

[TeePee]

Saralise,

You are making a great choice!! I have read Boutenko's books and they are great!! There is a ton of support on this thread. I am currently on day 9 of this MC, but have been raw since my last cleanse ending in January. It is amazing. Read through the posts on here and on "After the Cleanse" and you should find a lot of answers for getting started!! Good luck on the cleanse. Do you have a plan for how long you'll stay on MC?

[Saralise]

I plan on staying on it for the 10 days at least, but if I feel I need to go longer, I will. Right now I am on DAY 6 and my kidneys are doin their thang! They have been hurting for 2 days solid!

I have no intentions of going back to cooked food, so I need to get busy and find out how to incorporate this lifestyle quickly! LOL

All I know is that I am tired of feeling like poopoo, I can't take it anymore, I don't want any more swelling, constipation or water retention. I want to have my enzymes, maaaannnn.

I hit a HUGE BOTTOM with all of it, so I really feel surrendered to this way of life, I have known intuitively for a long time that I would end up on RAW foods, I just didn't know when. It had to get this bad.

I will check out the threads and thanks for responding, I am soooo grateful!

S~

[Nance]

I'm on Day 6, post MC. :) I weaned slowly off the lemonade, missed the MC hum at first:( . What a nice source of energy. I have hung out some at the After The Cleanse site for accountability. I'm planning to continue on fresh juice and blender soup until after the 7th, and then will eat again. I think the Daily Dophilus, lots of water, and taking it S L O W is the ticket!

When I eat my soup (ingredients below), my liver and gall bladder ache:eek: . It is like they are shifting gears. I wonder, does anyone do a gall bladder flush after an MC? It feels like my GB has a load to let go of.
I have done a few of these in my life and they work very well. I just do not want to shock mysystem with too much oil.

Another question: I have 'warmed' up:rolleyes: to the concept of raw, but the idea of all cold food is still a bummer. I have been warming my soup, only to a temp that is yummy, not to hot. I guess a kitchen thermometer would be the guage, and not over 112 F. I need to know what that feels like.

I am not completely raw, but here are my ingredients:
Organic Very Veggie Juice, Low Sodium
Roma Tomatoes
Flax seed oil
dash of olive oil
Garlic and Onion
Dash of spices: basil, tarragon, Vietnamese cinnamon, cayenne
Nori, cut in strips like noodles:D
Shoyu
Nutritional yeast

Today I blended a couple handfuls of cashews with water and flax oil to make a 'cream soup' base, and added to this basic mixture that has been 'dinner' and only meal for the past 6 days. Wow, those cashews have given a real stick to the ribs feeling:p . I am so glad, cuz I do not want to go back to my 'can't eat enough' habits. I allow my self ONE BOWL, and most days do OK. I have to stop and enjoy every bite, rather than get ahead of my present moment.

It was this BB that introduced me to the idea of eating raw after the cleanse, and for those of you new, we're on this adventure together! Here are my purchases after many questions on this thread. I agree, read through, and you will have your questions answered.

Have on hand: loud but effective Hamilton Beach blender & cheapie HB juicer.

After research, I ordered

Alissa Cohen's raw book (from amazon.com / Alissa Cohen)
Jenn Cornbleet's raw book (from amazon.com)
a veggie spiral cutter (from Kitchen Concepts, I forgot website)
a Cuisinart 40 oz blender/ 4 cup food processor combo. (It was half price online for a Father's Day deal from same place I got the Cuisinart)
a Handy Pantry sprouting kit. Just had my first harvest, and this sproat system was affordable and quite productive! Fresh seeds are the best!
(Got that through a local health food co-op. They have a great little book and a website.)

Next month, my roommate is moving. She has an Excaliber 9 Tray she is going to sell me for a reasonable price.

On my wish list is a Solo Star II juice extractor. :rolleyes: Someday . . . (There is a video clip out there of a demo of how it runs.)

So, with that, I think I am well armed. I will let you know about that Cuisinart combo item. I do not know if the 4 cup food processor will be enough, especially for a cracker fiend like me who misses the CRUNCH;) !

Of course we are all different, our budgets and all, but the wonderful ladies gave suggestions on this thread, and I just tought I'd share my conclusions.

I will 'see' you guys after the 7th for my own 30 day raw food challenge . . . anyone care to join me from July 8 - August 7?:D

[Monica]

Hey Nance,

I'll join you for that time slot! I am through with the MC on the 7th, so I'll be on juice for a couple of days, but already planned to try raw for 30 days after. You are so lucky to have all of that equipment! I just have a regular blender and food processor,but if raw works for me I will get a dehydrator later. I will pick up a juicer, of course.

How do you like Cohen's cookbook? I know it is highly recomended, but what is your personal assesment of the receipes and the amount of equipment required to really use the book? I ordered Cornbleet's book to start. Although she got a lot of criticism for including extremely basic things like how to make juice, I am looking forward to the section of basics like making nutmilk and so forth, as well as the fact that most of the receipes can be made without fancy machinery. What do you think of her book?

I look up to you for having had the dedication and will power to make it through such a long MC, and am excited about 'going raw' at the same time.

Happy Health Improving,

Monica

[Nance]

Hey Monica, That is great! I am really motivated for this now! I invited anyone on the 'After The Cleanse' thread to join us.

I have Alissa's book, and am waiting for my copy of Cornbleet's book to come in the mail. I looked at it at the health food store, but ordered an amazon.com copy (used). So I can give you a comparison after that.

Alissa's book is a 'manifesto'. It is literally the heaviest 'cookbook' I have ever owned. It was really inspiring during the MC, though there were times I had to put it down cause of the recipes were making my stomach growl. :o

Alissa mentions that she has tried all of her recipes on a basic blender without all the fancy equipment and says they work that way.
I am not sure if she mentioned food processor in the the same fashion. So from the standpoint of not having the fancy gear, and taking her word for it, you should be OK with the basics.

I did become concerned about my food bill as I looked at the prospect of purchasing al those nuts and sheer variety of new ingredients. The photo of her in her daily jacuzzi with the young coconut let's me know she is likely in a 'higher tax bracket' than I am, for sure! Never the less, her enthusiasm for raw, the testimonies with before and after photos, and the excellent food photos make it a textbook and raw bible, beyond a mere cookbook, so I am very glad I got it. I will let you know as I progress into the recipes, the 'proof is in the pudding! :rolleyes: Our wonderful raw 'elders' on this thread may have some input here :) They are much more exerienced with the actual results.

I can already say that I resonate with Jenny's book, how down to earth it feels . . . the size and feel of the pages and I need the basics for this new journey.

Thanks for your encouragement with the long MC. . . it was amazing grace all the way;) So Monica I look forward to walking this part of the road with you, and hope others will join us!

[TeePee]

Hi, still lurking. On day 10 of MC. Going to continue till....??? Anyway, just checking in and saw the questions on Cohen's book. It is fabulous. I have been raw since Dec and it was one of the last books I got and I wish I had started with it. I also finally got the food processor, just before her book/DVD and I use it almost exclusively on her recipes. Way more often than the Vita-Mix. Although, in my experience the food processor will not work for making "flour" from flax seeds. Vita-mix for that. Or even the Magic Bullet. First thing I bought was juicer and I use the least often of all. The citrus juicer I use everyday, even when not cleansing. Dehydrator is a great investment!!! Keep reading the backlog of posts on here and after the cleanse. There is a TON of info from some awesome people!! THis is the place to be to get going on raw!!!!:D (but the hardest place to be for me when on the MC!!)

[TeePee]

oh, and if you get Cohen's book, get the DVD if you can swing it too. I may not have tried some of the recipes I did, if I hadn't watched her make them and how easy they are. AND DELICIOUS!! If you get it for sure make: the enchiladas, ceasar dressing (oh, this is killing me!!), the pizza bread, the alfredo sauce, the banana crepes, the burgers and the curry sauce, the pesto stuffed mushroom caps...... oh my, I really have to stop now. 10 days of being away from this stuff is too long to be writing about it!!! :eek: Her book is a "must-have"!!! Have fun!!

[mtmouse]

I'll second that, TeePee! At least as to the recipes. I didn't get the video, but I'm a pretty confident cook so I did fine without it. (I did watch Annie Phyo's videos on her site, though, and I will admit I like seeing the processes!)

But I've made almost all those Cohen recipes myself and love them all!

:)

[Nance]

Ah, this is excellent: info from the one who have experienced Alissa'a raw book! I have three more days of juicing, and then I can start salads, avocados, and (drum roll, please!) the recipes !

The ones I want to to first are Zucchini Pasta with Marinara, the Sushi Nori rolls and when the dehydrator comes, the Pizza. (Oh, TeePee, I remember 'lurking' on this site when I was on the MC, it was hard, but I had to keep coming back, there is such good community on this thread! What's this ??? on your MC ending? Go for it, girl!) Oh, yes, and a big batch of crackers, I miss CRUNCH!
Any suggestions on which cracker recipe to do first?

I also 'heard' you guys 'talking' about the toona, and have downloaded the recipes from this BB. This looks yummy, and versatile. Monica, have you seen those yet? Way back at the beginning of this thread there is a link to Penut's blog.

Boy, I need to plant a basil patch!

Raw Toona
3 cups walnuts, soaked overnight in filtered water, or for at least 3 hours
3 cups carrots (chop first, then measure)
1/4-1/2 medium onion
1 cup celery with leaves (leaves add good flavor)
1/2 cup parsley or cilantro
1/2 cup fresh basil (other fresh herbs, such as dill, can be used in place of basil for a slightly different flavor)
1-2 garlic cloves (according to your own taste)
2 oz. lemon juice
Nama Shoyu, Bragg's Amino Acids and/or Celtic sea salt, to taste

Drain and rinse walnuts. Cut the carrots into chunks and measure out three cups. Process walnuts and carrots to a paté through a Champion or Green Power juicer, with the blank in place. If you don't have one of these machines, process in a food processor until smooth. You may have to add a slight bit of water. Set aside in a bowl.
Cut the celery into 1-inch pieces so that you don't end up with long strings (to get stuck in your teeth), then pulse chop garlic, onion, celery, herbs and lemon in a food processor until well chopped. Add to the carrot and walnut paté and mix well. Add Nama Shoyu and Celtic sea salt to taste.

Enjoy on a salad, in a wrap, as a dip.

Variations:
- In place of celery, use fennel for a different taste.
- Use as a stuffing for nori rolls, adding in clover sprouts and matchstick-cut pieces of cucumber and tomato.
- This recipe also makes delicious dehydrated crackers.
- Add dulse or seaweed for a more fishy taste
- Add grapes, chopped nuts, olives, anything else you'd usually enjoy in your tuna

[mtmouse]

Any suggestions on which cracker recipe to do first?


My favorite are the red dragon crackers (I add more salt than it calls for). I'm currently in the process of altering them for a lime-and-chili taste, too.

Next are the rosemary crackers. That recipe, however, calls for (I think) 1/4 cup of rosemary. I usually put in 1 Tbsp instead (and even then, it's too much for DH).

Both of those are really yummy.

Have fun!

[TeePee]

Oh, I want to eat...an avocado and a tomato!! I just walked in from putting an offer on a house for my BF and I to merge our 2 homes into one!!! :D Say a little raw foodie prayer for me because the kitchen is a dream come true!! The dehydrator could have a counter all to itself!!! FINGERS CROSSED!!! I'm just glad I made it through without any swf "issues" while I was there!!

[mtmouse]

Oh, I want to eat...an avocado and a tomato!! I just walked in from putting an offer on a house for my BF and I to merge our 2 homes into one!!! :D Say a little raw foodie prayer for me because the kitchen is a dream come true!! The dehydrator could have a counter all to itself!!! FINGERS CROSSED!!! I'm just glad I made it through without any swf "issues" while I was there!!

Well, the house had a bathroom, didn't it? :D :D :D :D

Definitely crossing fingers for you! It sounds marvelous! And there will be plenty of room (and time) later for that wonderful avocado/tomato sandwich (on onion bread, of course!). :)

Congratulations!

[Nance]

My favorite are the red dragon crackers . . .

Have fun!
Are those recipes are here on the BB somewhere? Where do I find them?
How many crackers do you make in a batch? How long with they store and where do you store them? :p :p :p

[mtmouse]

Yes, they're probably on either the Lemonhead Recipe Box or the After the Cleanse thread. Search for "dragon" and you'll probably find them. Let me know if you don't.

That particular recipe makes a lot. Several sheets' worth, though I can't remember exactly. Sometimes I cut the recipes in half or thirds, but then they get eaten so quickly that it seems it almost wasn't worth it.

I always made them in my food processor (and sometimes in my blender) before, but I'll be doing it in the Vitamix from now on.

You can store them in plastic bags in the fridge (I refrigerate anything with processed or ground flaxseed in it). You can also freeze them. And if they sit out and get a bit pliable, you can always crisp them up again in the dehydrator.

Let us know how you do with them!

[TeePee]

Where is everyone? I am just checking in....Still cleansing.....Day 15 almost over. Tired. Signed a contract on a house to buy with 2 to sell btwn b/f and myself. So much cleaning to do. It seems easier to stick to lemonade, than to break back in to raw food. Endured another barbecue on Saturday. It was hard. I know I was detoxing, because I wanted to eat a burger...and you all know, I don't do that!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. I wonder how Sim is doing in Ireland!!!

[Saralise]

Okay everyone!

I just went to the BRAND NEW SPROUTS here in Claremont, and I am sooo excited!

I bought every vegetable and fruit I could!

I think I spent $80 on just fresh live food alone! LOL

So, I have decided to go 100% RAW for the 30 day challenge. I made it through another day on water. I am going to start the oj tomorrow.

So I guess I will be joining you on WED!

So is it possible, since I only have a blender, and no moola right now, to just be sooooo basic?

I feel like I will need a little help with this, as I have never cooked and this seems like a huge challenge, this and a new job at the same time.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

Feed me, feed me!

Saralise

[mtmouse]

Hooray for you, Saralise!

And welcome to this very fun thread! I'm sure you'll have lots to offer.

As to "cooking", obviously on raw you never need to! It's true, having all the fancy stuff helps the mental aspect and offers some textures not otherwise available, but the truth is, to eat raw all you really need is a knife. :)

The basics of raw food are veggies, fruits, and nuts and seeds. Just grab different handfuls of them when you're hungry (eating raw you don't need to worry about amounts), and stop eating when you're full. So really, you don't have to be a chef and your blender will take you a long way.

For now, enjoy your transition, and get ready for a fun next month!

[mtmouse]

Where is everyone? I am just checking in....Still cleansing.....Day 15 almost over. Tired. Signed a contract on a house to buy with 2 to sell btwn b/f and myself. So much cleaning to do. It seems easier to stick to lemonade, than to break back in to raw food. Endured another barbecue on Saturday. It was hard. I know I was detoxing, because I wanted to eat a burger...and you all know, I don't do that!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. I wonder how Sim is doing in Ireland!!!

HiTeePee!

We'll get this board going again soon. Gotta admit, I've been running fairly ragged lately and haven't had much time for chatting. Hopefully that'll change soon!

I never had a chance to answer your story about starting your Vitamix without the lid, but it made me laugh out loud! And I can certainly understand how it happened--and can imagine the results. :D

I am adoring mine and using it for a lot of things. The other day I used it to make rosemary crackers and red dragon crackers, and I tripped the safety overload trying to process soaked flax and almonds. So I can tell I need to learn some new techniques. I was wondering whether processing the dry flax and water in the VM first, and then letting it stand to thicken, might work. Or maybe I just need to put in smaller amounts, and separate the almonds and the flax. The crackers turned out good, though!

I'm still experimenting with my lime and chili variations. So far it seems best on the dragon crackers, and it works to both put lime juice in the mix and also to brush lime juice on the crackers when I turn them in the dehydrator. I then sprinkle extra salt on while the lime juice is still wet. It seems to get it to stick even after it's dry (I also put extra salt in the dough--I must have a salty tooth!). I don't bother cutting the crackers into pretty shapes; I just let them dry and break them. Quick and dirty! :D

Anyway, how long is it going to be before you're back here working up recipes yourself? Have a good one!

[TeePee]

WELCOME SARALISE!!! You will be great!! Don't worry about the equipment, it will all come in time. Especially since it is summer, you will maybe prefer "simple raw" anyway!! Good luck!


Hi mtmouse, I am glad you are enjoying the Vitamix. Mine has been getting a long break with this cleanse!! Today is Day 16. Tongue is just about totally pink. I have only dropped half pound in the last 6 or so days! I will probably go a few more days anyway. I am still eliminating "stuff", so I feel I should continue on. Plus, with trying to ready 2 houses to clean, get mortgage approvals, wait for passport to arrive, prepare for vaca, it just seems easier to make lemonades than to make other stuff!!!

BF just found out he is borderline diabetic.:( on top of all this. He has done cleanse for 20 days a couple of times. He loves his candy. He needs to lose at least 50 lbs. He was going to do MC with me this time, but of course hasn't started. I am worried about him. I am thinking he should start with cleanse then move to raw. That should help to correct the problem, no? From everything I have read it has. Anyone have any suggestions? Doc said if he doesn't change he'll have to start on 1 insulin pill a day.

Waiting for swf gotta get busy cleaning....and paperwork..

[Saralise]

Hey TeePee, sorry to hear about your BF, sounds like RAW might just be the best thing for him actually! LOL

When you write SWF, are you referring to "Single White Female"? LOL

But anyway, I just ate some hearts of palm and some artichoke hearts out of the can, they were in the fridge and i was on the phone and i just popped them in my mouth without even thinking, and then of course i couldn't stop! So, i decided to chew them really well.

Earlier today, i had massive diarhhea after having the orange juice.

i had been craving those hearts of palm for days, and they just sat there looking at me every day, taunting me! now, i know they must not have been raw, but something tells me they might have been, because they wer e crunchy! So i don't really know, they were organic tho.

So, i need a blended soup for later so i don't slip again! HELP*#&$

You would be proud of me, tho. My fridge is packed with all raw veggies and fruits, nothing i can cheat on in there anymore;)

also, does anyone know if soy milk, is allowed, like unpasteurized?

Saralise

[mtmouse]

Saralise,

Anything in a can has been heated to get it there and sealed. So, while artichoke hearts could conceivably be raw, those weren't, and I doubt they would be nearly as good! :p

There is raw milk, so presumably there could be raw soy milk. But again, anything you buy at the store that's in a sealed container so it has a shelf life will not be raw. I don't know how one would go about making it raw, either, but perhaps you could do some online searches and see if anyone has come up with any ideas.

However, almond milk is really easy to make with a blender, and it has now replaced all other forms of milk in our house, including soy. All the recipes for almond milk suggest straining, but we don't bother with that. I just process about a cup of raw almonds in 3-4 cups of water until they're as processed as they're going to get (much more so in my Vitamix than in my regular blender, but good either way). I add a bit of agave and a touch of vanilla (which isn't technically raw, so sometimes in the VM I actually use vanilla bean) and put it in a jar in the fridge. I shake it well before pouring it on whatever. It's delicious! And it's cheaper than soy milk, too.

[Saralise]

Okay, so I blended this soup based on the italian soup recipe, but I didn't have basil, so i used oregano and rosemary and it tasted very bitter, so i added lemon, green onion, a clove of garlic and it tasted better.

The only thing is I wanted to eat chips with it, all the crackers i have are wheat or white floury, so i didn't want to go down that road, so i had some pita chips and i ate three or four of them.

The thing is, i have never really been a compulsive eater, and now I feel like i have to control what i eat, it sucks really bad. I don't like the way i feel right now at all, it feels like I am coming off of alcohol or cigarettes.

I guess it might just really be an addiction!

I had to heat my soup, but i just warmed it barely, and then it didn't taste as good, so then i had to let it wait until it cooled to room temp, then i just took my time eating it over a little while.

Obviously, I was full right away as my stomach is smaller, but I really was craving more, my hunger cravings and feeling full at the same time are weird.

Oh, and since I drank the orange juice, my emotions came back, bummer.

That has got to be the worst part about all of this, is my body is just having emotional reactions to everything. I no longer feel serene and stable like I did on the cleanse.

I just felt like I had to vent, I know I have to do this for my health, but this is definitely going to be a humongous transition in my life.

blessings to everyone tonight~

Saralise

[mtmouse]

Yeah, we've all been there. It's much harder to eat than to cleanse.

But I must say, it's certainly been easier for me to eat raw since my cleanse than to eat any other way. (However, that was my fourth cleanse. I certainly learned the hard way before that! :) )

Anyway, there aren't any mistakes now, and except for these guidelines for coming off your cleanse, there aren't any rules for you to follow. Now it's up to you to find your own way and to learn from your body's responses. It'll be fun!

[TeePee]

Saralise,

Hang in there!! You totally can do this. Mtmouse is right on with the almond milk. I was on soy milk for two years prior to Dec. I AM IN LOVE WITH ALMOND MILK!!! :D And I would die for some right now!!! (Day 16 here on MC)
Although, I do strain mine or else make it with raw almond butter. It is amazing blended with bananas and a bit of ice. ANd strawberries. And pineapple.......oh, gosh, I can't wait!! Trust me when I tell you that people know me for how much I love to eat!!! I have done all the diets, sugar busters, atkins....vegetarian, etc. Raw is absolutely the best physically as well as mentally!! I never ever again have to worry about calories, fat grams, sugar grams, carbs, net carbs, cholesterol, the time I eat, what I eat. AS LONG AS IT'S RAW AND A PLANT I eat it when and how I want!! It is sooo liberating. I am 36 and have been dieting since about 12 years old. I was up to 172 at Christmas and am now 131. The weight just comes off on raw!! And the energy goes up! YOU CAN DO THIS!!

I need to get another lemonade I think before bed!!

Rest well!:o

[Nance]

Just a quick note to say blessings to you guys . . . I have been super busy the past few days . . . there are seven of us in the house right now, so it is very diffenet than a couple months ago, and there is a conference coming up tomorrow to be ready for. But I am carving out time to be very inventive in the kitchen with raw. Wow, that spirulizer and the Handy Pantry sprouter are the items I have used the most.

People have noticed quite the difference in me, and I actually lent my citrus juicer, Peter's and Alissa's books. Trustworthy people of course, cuz I need those items back soon. I am missing lemonade.

I make a spirulina dressing that is just the ticket!

Welcome Saralise!! I lurked here long before I could eat . . . it was good for my soul! Glad you found us!

Good night and sweet lemonhead dreams. :) Yes, I am thinking of Sim, too.

[mtmouse]

That's terrific, Nance!

My favorite sauces on spiralized zucchini are marinara (Cohen or Cornbleet) and pad thai (Cohen, if I recall). Yum!

I've also used Cohen's curry sauce on the zucc after I'd eaten all my nut burgers that I made it for. Not quite as satisfying as on the burgers, but still good!

I now keep zucchini on hand at all times because it's such a satisfying meal.

But your spiralizer will also make thin wafers, and Cornbleet's marinated beet salad is also really good!

:)

[JustPlainME]

Though I have not stayed raw for long periods of time, I know many who have and you do have to watch the amounts of NUTS that you eat. Also, soaking the nuts over night helps to release the enzymes and help them to digest better. So it is a mistake to think you do not have to watch amounts when eating raw. I can say that I love avacados and can literally eat two or three CUPS of raw guacamole myself ... that is NOT healthy no matter how good avacados are for you. Be careful with the amounts of nuts and fats is all I am saying or at least be conscious of how much. Anything raw I believe you just can't overdo ie FRESH fruit and raw vegetables. Dried fruit is another thing that must be watched in the "amount" category as the sugar though natural is very very very concentrated and anyone with the slightest bit of hypoglycemia or sensitivity to sweets can easily over do this part of the raw lifestyle. I myself can eat basically an entire bag of dehydrated figs which is as harmful as a sleeve of fig newtons if we're talking strictly sugar content. Just my thoughts.


Hooray for you, Saralise!

And welcome to this very fun thread! I'm sure you'll have lots to offer.

As to "cooking", obviously on raw you never need to! It's true, having all the fancy stuff helps the mental aspect and offers some textures not otherwise available, but the truth is, to eat raw all you really need is a knife. :)

The basics of raw food are veggies, fruits, and nuts and seeds. Just grab different handfuls of them when you're hungry (eating raw you don't need to worry about amounts), and stop eating when you're full. So really, you don't have to be a chef and your blender will take you a long way.

For now, enjoy your transition, and get ready for a fun next month!

[TeePee]

Hi girls,

Day 17 MC. Tongue is pink. REally missing raw especially since it is summer. I think I'm going to wrap it up today. I have to make a decision before I hit the market tonight..I have enough lemons to get through today. So, will I buy lemons or oranges and grapefruits?

I have been dealing with trying to ready these two houses to sell, getting mortgage approvals, trying to locate daughter's passport, and now just had to shell out another $300 for a ticket for her because they had her listed as 7 months, not 7 years. Honestly with all the stress lemondade is just easier!!

[Ginger]

Hi all you wonderful women!!!

I've been MIA for awhile now. Been eating poorly, because I let emotional stress/depression get to me. (BF/former fiance moved out) When I'm depressed I don't seem to be able to deal with food prep, but want to EAT EAT EAT!!! Ok, so two days ago I ordered the 9 tray/w timer excalibur. YEAHHHHHH!!!!!!! hopefully, it will cheer me up.

A new market opened up 5 miles from my office. They have lots of raw/dehydrated foods. I bought some Living Intentions Cilantro Lime Mojo Pistachios and Pepitas. YUMMM...just ridiculously expensive. And some dehydrated sprouted crackers. Great with the almond ginger pate.

I need to get back on track. I don't feel attractive as heavy as I am, so I'm not interested in dating. I have another month before I leave for Curacao. I thought I'd do a 40 day cleanse before I left, but I have to go to an old friends wedding August 10th, and the timing is just wrong. So I'll do it when I return.

I can't find the dragon cracker recipe...I've searched and searched. Could someone post it on the Recipe Thread?? I'd sure appreciate it.

[cee3peeoh]

Hey Folks (ladies and gents)....its so refreshing to have you all here to be a support system even if I just read your posts to one another. All of my friends think I'm crazy because I've made some really radical changes with myself with regard to alot of things but most specifically eating. I now see clearly how we get locked into eating a certain way and finding it difficult to come through that. I just hope that I have great success and that I'll be an inspiration.

Anyway, thank you all for being here with and for each and everyone of us. I finally have someone to share this experience with. It really makes a difference.

My plan is to go mostly raw if not all raw; most especially after this cleanse is over (18 days more to go).

Nance, I saw a post you had somewhere else, can't remember where at this point but you asked a question about what you saw on Dr. Natura's site and why we don't get that with this cleanse. I can't answer that specifically but I can say that I've done one similar and the difference to me is the psyllium and clay that is used that binds itself to your walls and pulls that stuff out. I've had a similar experience to what you see and am looking forward to doing it again at the end of the summer. This cleanse is more like a washing/softening; which will be my precursor to that cleanse to help it be more effective. I got some out and looking to get more out! I don't think this cleans gets out the mucoid plaque....which that stuff is.

So has anyone ever done a raw chocolate cake??? Different Salad Dressings? Please share!!! Also, someone mentioned having some type of bread with their soup; try rice bread. I'm a celiac so wheat is a problem for me so I do rice pasta or rice bread. It's a little harder but it's bread to me. I like making a nice garlic bread with it. Here's the recipe....very simple

Whole garlic crushed (I use about six when making the whole loaf)
soy butter (room temperature)
fresh parsley
veggie parm cheese
rice bread (of course you can use your own but if wheat, whole or sprouted is best - try to make sure it doesn't have "enriched" flour....bad, bad, bad for you)

crush the garlic either through a crusher or sometimes I bang it with a mug
add it to the butter, add the parsley

spread it on the bread and add a little veggie parm cheese

sometimes I will warm the bread in the toaster beforehand so that the butter will melt and then add the veggie parm cheese

EXCELLENT WITH A SALAD or SOUP

Another great easy simple snack......rice crackers with raw almond butter (very alkalizing) Yum!

[Cristy]

Hey all, I just read this great book by Harvey Diamond called "Fit for Life not Fat for Life", and in it he mentions that in order to streamline your digestive system and help the body eliminate toxins and excess weight most efficiently you should eat nothing but fresh fruit or juice from the time you wake up until 12 noon.
Also, he says the proper way of eating fruit is alone, on an empty stomach, not with other food of any kind including vegetables. He says this is due to the fact that fruit is alkaline but will turn acidic when coming in contact with other food in the digestive system. This new knowledge was very interesting to me and I thought it might interest some of you. Does anyone else know if this information is in fact correct? Would this mean then that fruit should not be included in salads? hmmm something to think about!

[Saralise]

Wow, thanks for the rice bread idea!

Okay ladies, i was in utter slicing diarhhea pain last night! I was great for a while, until I wanted a snack as i just didn't feel satisfied, and i wanted something else, so i ate a nectarine!

About 20 minutes later, I was on the floor, it was crazy! It took an hour to pass, and 2 bouts of diarhhea later!

I am soo sorry to be so graphic, but I need to! Also, I woke up this morning in screaming pain. I know that it might be related to the smoker next door, and i might have experienced second-hand smoke poisoning, and because my body is free of toxins, it literally made me totally sick this morning!

My boyfriend tried to "fix" my soup last night, to be sweet, and it tasted the same to me, but then today I just tasted it again, and after being in the fridge overnight, it was really great! So I am testing the waters again to see how my body reacts with Just the soup. i am not eating any other solid food right now, just taking it one step at a time. The only thing is, i am still hungry!

I guess i need to make more soup!

Got any good ideas or recipes for soups!

Can I combine another type of soup right now?

Many Blessings, and Gratitude to all of you for your support!

Saralise

[Saralise]

Well, girl, I gotta tell ya, I just experienced that last night, if you read the other post I just sent, it just happened to me last night! I ate my fruit after I ate my dinner, I even left an hour in between, but it wasnt enough!

So what do you think?

[Saralise]

Can anyone tell me if there is a recipe for RAW pickles?

I am going to look, let me know.

If not, let's make them!

Saralise:)

[cee3peeoh]

Hey all, I just read this great book by Harvey Diamond called "Fit for Life not Fat for Life", and in it he mentions that in order to streamline your digestive system and help the body eliminate toxins and excess weight most efficiently you should eat nothing but fresh fruit or juice from the time you wake up until 12 noon.
Also, he says the proper way of eating fruit is alone, on an empty stomach, not with other food of any kind including vegetables. He says this is due to the fact that fruit is alkaline but will turn acidic when coming in contact with other food in the digestive system. This new knowledge was very interesting to me and I thought it might interest some of you. Does anyone else know if this information is in fact correct? Would this mean then that fruit should not be included in salads? hmmm something to think about!


I've also read that in Fit for Life. As I'm learning more and more by the "professionals", that fruit should not be mixed with vegetables. Tomato's are a fruit; but some say a "fruit-vegetable." I've seen many charts and some list it as a fruit and some don't. I've tried to be very conscientious about food combinations but when you've learned for so long to do something one way, it's hard to undo. If I come across the food combining chart, I'll post the URL for it.

[TeePee]

oh, you guys are making me hungry. I can't wait to even get back to fruit!!! I'm ending my cleanse today. Yesterday completed 17 days. My tongue is pink. I'm not dropping weight like usual on the cleanse, but hoping I will continue to once back to raw. Maybe it's because I have less to lose this time? Leaving the night of 27th for airport to Turks & Caicos. That gives me 2 weeks to be in "raw reality" again before being tempted at the 10 restauarant all inclusive resort!

I went to the market last night to stock up on oranges and grapefruits for the next two days. Also picked up bananas, apples, and some romaine. I have to say, as far as preparation, the cleanse is so nice to shop for!!! But, I am ready to start enjoying summer's bounty of fresh local produce!!

I will let you know how the transition goes. I'm planning OJ and GFJ 2 days. To me, that is the hardest part of the cleanse!!

Ginger, sorry to hear about the BF. I am exactly the same way when depressed. You will get back on track. Remember, we all feel similar at some point and it gets better. Do it for yourself!!:D We are all here for you! Hugs!!

[Cristy]

I've also read that in Fit for Life. As I'm learning more and more by the "professionals", that fruit should not be mixed with vegetables. Tomato's are a fruit; but some say a "fruit-vegetable." I've seen many charts and some list it as a fruit and some don't. I've tried to be very conscientious about food combinations but when you've learned for so long to do something one way, it's hard to undo. If I come across the food combining chart, I'll post the URL for it.

Wow, thank you i would love to see the food combining chart if you find it... and i have always been told tomatoes are a fruit too.. yet they are used so often in salads. it is hard to undo something you have done for so long but i am willing to if it will be good for me!

[TeePee]

TOMATOES!!!! I can't wait for tomatoes!! I think I can have one tomorrow!!:p
Today is 2nd day post MC for me, so I am getting ready to juice orange and grapefruit. This to me is the hardest part!

Can't wait to join all of you again with recipe and raw food sharing!!

[ninab64]

Hey all, I just read this great book by Harvey Diamond called "Fit for Life not Fat for Life", and in it he mentions that in order to streamline your digestive system and help the body eliminate toxins and excess weight most efficiently you should eat nothing but fresh fruit or juice from the time you wake up until 12 noon.

i read the Diamonds' book back in the '80s. i haven't heard if food combining has any scientific data to back it up, but it is a curious idea

you would want to know which fruits are included, considering tomatoes and avocados are fruits, for example. that would impact quite a few salads :p

[Nance]

Let's see this is day eight for me on my 30 RFC. I have done well in my own kitchen, but the two times I ate at friends' homes, i had a few bites of cooked food. Except for the basmati rice, the cooked stuff held no appeal for me once it was past my tongue, it felt heavy and too complex . . . I ended up painfully gassy. I considered a SWF in the morning.

I have to space a lot of time between feeding. Where I work they drop off free produce from the organic HFstores. I can scarf up $20 - $40 worth of stuff. But my mistake the other day was eating bananas, then goinng home to a raw lentil stew with nutritional yeast. I knew it was a bad moon risin' when all I burped that after noon was banana.

We are trackin' together on that Food Combining concept. I got acquainted with Food Combining a while ago, have a sense for it, but will be good to have the chart handy.

I hear Avocados should always be eaten alone. I feel like a happy little piggie just spooning that stuff straight from the hull into my mouth. But Alissa's Black Forest Cake calls for avocado, and what about guac?

Speaking of which, I made Alissa's Avo Stuffed Portabella Mushrooms. A friend visiting made up a quinoa tabouli. The Handy Pantry is brimming with sprouts, so we splurged on those, too. What a raw feast . . . strange, but the avo feels OK in my tummy despite the variety.

Can you tell I have a passion for avocados and am trying to passively refute the food combingin rules? :rolleyes:

I have roommates here who do some raw, one who makes incredible cocoa bars with chia seed and coconut and almond butter. She is really into palm oil, somethihng I have never checked out.

So, some individual greetings:

cee3peeOH Way to go on your cleanse . . . that is sheer bravery to hang out here when you have 17or so more days . . . I know how it was for me, there is a wonderful synergy of support on this thread (well, and other ones, too) and I was really drawn here. Tip a lemonaide for me!

Christy Yup, I remember Fit For Life, and he has a great point about fruit in the morning and veggies in the afternoon. I do not know if the two are related, but the Daily Dophilus morning and evening capsules take the AM and PM difference in the digestive system into account. I was worried about too much fruit sugar in the mornings, but that OJ and GFJ really did suit me well.

JustPlainME Yup, a big bowl of guac would shortly be history in my house! I know what you mean about reamaining disciplined in the raw lifestyle. I have gained 3 lbs since the MC (which is really good for me, considering previous history after fasts) but is they say I will continued losing on raw, I have yet to see that. Aw, nuts! :-)

Monica Are you here? I'm on the one month raw, and you mentioned to do it together. Howya doin?

TeePee You are always such an encouragement! Way to go on your MC. Ease back into Raw Reality and I will want to hear all about your adventures at that 'all-inclusive' restaurant complex. Where is T & C? Hope those house deals land well in time for your trip!

Saralise Thanks for your honesty here! How are you doing now? I have had some bouts with extreme gastronintestinal distress.
AS for soup, I have been doing a tomato blender soup, and benderizing a handful of cashews with water and flaxseed oil. I leave that on a minute or more, and then put it in the tomato soup base, so it is like a 'cream of' variety. Just a dash of maple syrup is a revelation, too.

ninab64 The exclusion of avos and tomatoes from any of my salads would really shake my old salad paradigm!

Ginger Welcome back!! You are one who has enouraged me so many times! I give you a hug! Having such a serious relationship is no small matter, I cry for you. Tell us what you are mixin' up in the kitchen today!

The spirulizer has been the one most fun and useful items I have purchased for the raw adventure. One of the first salads I made and have enjoyed several times since is a beautiful combo of spirulized carrots, beets, and yellow summer squach, with spinach leaves and sunflower seeds tossed in. It is a very pretty combo! Then i use the Good Seasons salad cruet and mix up a spirulina dressing. On top of all that, I put on some nutritional yeast, and Oh boy, that keeps me a believer in raw!

See you guys later, I have a couple days off, so I will be lurking around here more!

[Nance]

OK, I really am kinda depressed here . .. I must get honest. I could list a kinds of 'reasons', but the bottom line is PMS. I will have some good cries and angry yells . . . BUT what I need help with today is some accountability with my flower bed . . . yup you heard it right . .. . today IS the day I am going to give the flower bed on the front side walk a good going over. If I can find it at a good price I will put a herb patch in. (Whoa, before and after shots are in order.)

I have put this off for 2 years, I am ashamed to say, but today is the day!!

Oh, yes, before I think this is a gardening bulletin board . .. the other most handy item I got for the raw adventure is the Handy Pantry sprouter. It is beaucoup handy! Here is the webpage.

http://www.handypantry.com/pc-34-7-sprout-garden-family-sprouter-kit-3-tray.aspx

This company also has sprout seed combos that are inexpensive and wonderful!

http://www.frontiercoop.com/products.html

I have put walnuts, dried tomatoes and dates in soaking jars today, and will see what I can come up with later, will keep you posted! OH, yes, who was it who said they were 'married' to the sushi nori rolls? Which recipe did you use? Does flax oil help with the fishy taste? One of my roomies is from Burma, and let me tell you she has some interesting ingredients, fish oil included. (Invitation to gas, green clouds of gas:eek: )

Oh, yes, cee3peeOH, thanks for the detail on bentonite clay and how that pulls the stuff out. I have found the MC to gentler, but toward the end jusst was wanting 'proof' of my cleansing efforts. With ALL that buttpee and stuff even after 40 days, I know it was really effective. I have bentonite and psyllium and still consider that an option some time.

MTmouse I m still waiting to get a dehydrator . . . I think it will be in Aug, THEN I will make those dragon crackers!

OK to the garden!

[mtmouse]

OH, yes, who was it who said they were 'married' to the sushi nori rolls? Which recipe did you use? Does flax oil help with the fishy taste?

Yep, 'twas I! I use Annie Phyo's recipe, which you can see here (with a video):

http://www.aniphyo.com/ (Scroll down for the nori rolls.)

There's no fishy taste, so I don't know what you mean there. Have fun!

[TeePee]

Hello Hello!!

I am eating again!!!!!:D :D :D :D

17 days on Mc. Thurs, and Friday organe and grapefruit juice. Saturday. Tough day. GF juice in am. 3 bananas on way to cousins post wedding reception BBQ. The ONLY raw was what little cuke, pepper and squash I could pick out of the pasta salad. I was ready to crack. Then someone had a bag of raw organic cashews!!!! I had a few handfuls, lasted a few more hours then came home to a glorious tomato, avocado and cucumber plate with tons of garlic, basil and olive oil. YUM. Then went to another party. BF band was playing on the beach at a ritzy party. There they had veggies and fruit. I have to admit, I had a tiny bite of soft pretzel w/ poppy seeds. I never saw a "pretzel tray" like this before. All kind of soft pretzel sticks with different dips. I just had to have a bite of my daughter's with a huge bowl of fruit. going to the bathroom more than ever since ending the cleanse. Strange:confused: Still dropping weigth. I have about 6-7 lbs away from my all time low!!:D

House has a sign in front, going to BF's to get his ready for his sign!! Keep your fingers crossed for us that this all works out!! Then I host the raw food parties in my new big kitchen!!!!:p

Going to make Sim's magic wands, ASAP!!

SIM WE MISS YOU!!!

[Ginger]

Thanks for the hugs Nance and TeePee. It's tough, but I'll survive. I just don't have much luck with men. And it gets tiresome starting over. But...this too shall pass :rolleyes: .

Today I ate light. Watermelon, some essence bread (dehydrated) with almond ginger pate, some of those yummy spiced pistachios and some of Matt's marinara with zucchini. Gee, now that I look at it, that was alot of food LOL . But, I decided to do some cleaning today and wrked up quite a sweat cleaning the parrot cages and scrubbing down the kitchen. I've really let things go in the last month, so I have alot to do.

I like Matt's marinara MUCH better than any other I've made.

[mtmouse]

Hmm. I'll have to try Matt's next. I've been making Cornbleet's, with a few dates added a la Cohen, and like that a lot so hadn't even looked around. But his does sound interesting!

:)

[Nance]

MTM Very cool I went to Ani's website with demos . . . my wireless was sluggish so I didn't watch it all, but have it on favorites when I find a more fluid connection. Thanks, guess I do not know where I heard of the fishiness.

TeePee Congrats of another MC!! Quite an interesting food day you had. . . . band on beach at ritzy party . . . interesing day all the way around!
let's hear for the person with the raw cashews!!

Ginger Sound yummy . . . did you make your Essene Bread? or you have that nice restaurant .. . .

keep on keepin on through the bf stuff, I know you will make it , , , with your heart alive and loving!

Parrots! I used to have conures, what type do you have? Matt's book sound so good, but I must wait, put it on my wish list, I have Alissa's and Jen C's.

SIM!!! How is it over there??

I went after the neglected flower beds today. Got fermented mushroom fertilizer for the herbs: basil-2 types, sage, oregano, chives, rosemary and something else . . . also got a few flower and sweet potato vines. Got beet seeds, and pansy seeds, and the fellow told me about planting garlic.

We agree that the squirrels here are from some Amazonian gene pool, and they need drastic measures to keep them at bay. Actually, we had a freeze this Spring that knocked out the acorn crop, so we will have some harvest happy kritters by the time it gets cold.

ANYWAY, got 2 small beds prepared, and 2 big ones for tomorrow. Friends down the street mow my lawn for me, and I take them food. This morning when I made good my end of the barter, he said he is coming tomorrow with some visiting hippie kids (Rainbow Family) to work on my yard. This is a nice surprise since i have one more day off, and plenty to plant. Yum!! Lots of basil!!

[mtmouse]

Nance,

I thought you were going to grow your herbs indoors. Did you change your mind?

[Saralise]

Okay LADIES~

I gotta tell ya!!!! Whew, what a day, and I made it through! LOL

I went to a friend's birthday BBQ, a former Vegan of 20 years. That was interesting!:rolleyes:

I had to endure HUGE Hot DAWGS, SEASONED BURGERS, 5, count them, 5!!! Chocolate Cakes and All cooked food!

I would have starved, except I thought ahead and brought Ani Phyo's Raw Beet Salad with me and This outstanding Beet soup with a KICK, that I found in this old Live Foods Cookbook that I happened to have, hmmmm, interesting! ;) The book's name is Vibrant Living. I put the recipe in the Recipe Box, if anyone is interested.

So, the day went okay, it just so happened that this guy who owned the house had a whole pantry full of raw food snacks, very hmm, let's say interesting! (Do you think I can convert him?) JK

Anyway, I made it through without even one finger full of chocolate frosting, amazing if you ask me!

The people at this BBQ were phenomenal people doing phenomenal things with their life and I was ever-grateful to have met each and every person there, and I was in my power all day and I felt great!

I felt like I needed to share that with all of you, because for me, this goes beyond feeling better physically, but reaches into the depths of my soul and is about my vibration on the planet and what I am here to do.

Hope you are all hangin in there, and many blessings to all of you~

Saralise

[Nance]

MTM I asked around, and people with outdoors gardens said the squirrels do not like the herbs, that is why I changed my mind. We shall see what happens.

Saralise Sounds like a deep chord of your calling has been struck as you stood strong and resisted what otherwise sang to you in the past. How good!

Today I will finish the 'garden'. This will feel so good, the weed infested front flower bed was nagging me everytime I walked past it . . . for years.

Have a great day!

[TeePee]

Hi Girls!!

Oh, Saralise, what amazing energy you just brought me by reading your post!! Great for you!!!

Ginger, hang in there! This is the way to go to get back YOU!!! The guy crap will all fall into place once you are where you need to be. And nothing is better for your soul and spirit than premium nutrition!!

Nance, I want your garden!!

Went out with BF last night after working at his house all day. Went to Japanese restaurant downtown. The owner is his neighbor, so I had him make me nori rolls with just avocado, cuke, and carrot. Amazing. He did look at me a bit strange when I said no rice. I also had him very, very lightly steam a bit of broccoli. It is just one thing I can not do raw and it has too much good stuff to pass it by. Renee Underkoffler (Living Cuisine) is a believer of certain things being ever so slighty steamed to aid in digestion, so I thought I would allow a few bites of broccoli that way. But I wish I had just asked for a triple of those nori rolls. Today is an anniversary of sorts for us, so we will go out tonight. I think we will go to the Greek place. They have the most amazing, hugest salads ever. The freshest romaine, tomato, cuke, peppers, fresh dill, and other stuff I'll tell them to leave out. They are known for their extremely garlicky homemade dressing, which I could drink, but it has feta in it. I will bring my own olive oil and they will give me a cup of fresh garlic and lemon!! OH My, I make myself hungry!! And the #1 question people ask me about eating raw is "HOw do you go out to dinner?!?!?!" A little creativity folks!!!

yesterday in the day, I took a break from cleaning at BF and came home for lunch. I swear, I cut the avocado, sprinked it with garlic and salt and ate it right out of the shell. HEAVEN!!!

Okay, I'm on a roll blabbing, sorry. Just so psyched to be back to raw and the eating world! Have a great day girls!! Back to work selling these 2 houses!!!

[TeePee]

Hi Girls!!

Oh, Saralise, what amazing energy you just brought me by reading your post!! Great for you!!!

Ginger, hang in there! This is the way to go to get back YOU!!! The guy crap will all fall into place once you are where you need to be. And nothing is better for your soul and spirit than premium nutrition!!

Nance, I want your garden!!

Went out with BF last night after working at his house all day. Went to Japanese restaurant downtown. The owner is his neighbor, so I had him make me nori rolls with just avocado, cuke, and carrot. Amazing. He did look at me a bit strange when I said no rice. I also had him very, very lightly steam a bit of broccoli. It is just one thing I can not do raw and it has too much good stuff to pass it by. Renee Underkoffler (Living Cuisine) is a believer of certain things being ever so slighty steamed to aid in digestion, so I thought I would allow a few bites of broccoli that way. But I wish I had just asked for a triple of those nori rolls. Today is an anniversary of sorts for us, so we will go out tonight. I think we will go to the Greek place. They have the most amazing, hugest salads ever. The freshest romaine, tomato, cuke, peppers, fresh dill, and other stuff I'll tell them to leave out. They are known for their extremely garlicky homemade dressing, which I could drink, but it has feta in it. I will bring my own olive oil and they will give me a cup of fresh garlic and lemon!! OH My, I make myself hungry!! And the #1 question people ask me about eating raw is "HOw do you go out to dinner?!?!?!" A little creativity folks!!!

yesterday in the day, I took a break from cleaning at BF and came home for lunch. I swear, I cut the avocado, sprinked it with garlic and salt and ate it right out of the shell. HEAVEN!!!

Okay, I'm on a roll blabbing, sorry. Just so psyched to be back to raw and the eating world! Have a great day girls!! Back to work selling these 2 houses!!!

[HealthyBiz]

A few weeks ago, me and several other wanna-be raw chefs spent the day with Matt Amsden making oh-so delicious dishes. We all made soups, then salads, then main courses, then desserts. By the time the day was over, we were all full and educated. It was a great day. And he answered so many questions.

Hey, I finally had a chance to make the Red Pepper Dragon Chips. The recipe was posted by Sim in this thread back in May. (Extra info for those looking for the recipe.) I don't like salt much, so I left it out and they were really good. Hot! For my friends who like salty chips, I bet they would have liked more salt. I'm glad they'll keep. I haven't had time to make the guacamole to go with them!

It's been a busy summer, but I've been with you in spirit. Blessings to all!

[Nance]

Well, it has been beastly hot in this midwest town, so I have lagged on this gardening venture. The plants are patiently waiting thier liberation. I got fermented mushroom and seaweed fertilzer . . . whoa did I see that in somebody's raw foods book? Also, I got some news this morning that was a left hook to my solar plexus. House stuff - a loan modification - the fvariable rate is sinking me, and today found that the martgage co. I am with will not adjusst this, and I and in a very tight spot. BUT thank GOD I did not eat SUGAR!!

Instead, I made something . . . I know not what it is that is the answer to PMS, menopause, and . . .

In the food processor, whipped a long time.

1/2 cup soaked walnuts,
1 cup soaked dated with date water
1/4 cup tahini
2 T. cocoa
3/4 cup almonds
1/2 cup maple syrup
pinch Celtic Sea Salt
wee squosh Vietnamese cinnamon
2 T flaxseed oil

Oh, my. My mortgage woes are almost drowned for now. The question is, will this stuff freeze?

[mtmouse]

Nance, I bet the stuff will freeze. Try it and let us know! It sounded yummy.

HealthyBiz, glad to see you again! And that sounded like a marvelous raw training day!

And count me in the group that wants more salt. The first time I made the dragon crackers, I didn't think they were salty enough. The last time I was trying to replicate lime-and-chili Doritos, and I came close! :p I put lime juice in the mix (with more salt than the recipe even calls for), plus I brushed lime juice on the dry side after I'd turned them, plus I sprinkled very fine Celtic salt on the juice. It dissolved and/or stuck, and crackers were really good! I just ate the last of them a couple of days ago, so they're close on the list to be next.

Today I have 26 (count 'em, 26!) little five-inch pizza crusts in the dehydrator. They are so cute! :) I made a double batch of Cohen's "easier" (middle) recipe. That should last me for a while. I used a new technique in the Vitamix for the flaxseeds, which was to dump them and their water in together, process it until they were all broken up, and then let them sit and stiffen in a bowl for a while. I'm happy with the result, and I didn't trigger the VM overload that way.

Had collard wraps with toona for dinner and a banana-blueberry-cacao "ice cream" for dessert. Yum!

Happy eating, all!

[Ginger]

How come I can't find that darn dragon cracker recipe?

Nance - I have a Blue and Gold Macaw and a Yellow Nape Amazon. My babies...we've been together longer than me and any guy. LOL:p Matter of fact, the amazon was my ex hubby's. I got to keep him in the divorce. I got the essence bread at the local grocery. My dehydrator should arrive by Wednesday. Then I'm goin crazy!!!

I am addicted to my new smoothie. Pineapple, coconut meat and water and a handful of ice cubes. Throw it in the Vitamix and you've got a "Better than Pina Colada". Yummy!

[mtmouse]

An addendum, HealthyBiz!

How did you manage to cook and eat with Matt if you don't like salt? Isn't he the Salt King? Everyone here (even I, LOL) knocks the salt/nama shoyu in his recipes down by half!

[ninab64]

Hello all,

i finished my first MC on July 12, and am eating no dairy or meats, or wheat (for now) and no baked goods, so that leaves some grains, seeds, fruit and veg.

we're going to be in London for 10 days as of July 7, and would appreciate any recommendations while there. i may stray from my diet a little bit while there, but will not do dairy. think i gotta try the fish and chips at least once! maybe i'll have some of hubby's . . . :p

Ginger: i have birds too, a Blue Head Pionus, a Lineolated Parakeet, and a Cockatiel. Living with them has helped me keep fruits and vegs in the house, and i've been sprouting for the last couple years because of them. it's a great feeling knowing that i can share anything i'm eating with them, and it's healthy for all of us!

Nina

[TeePee]

Hi,

So busy cleaning. Been hitting the fruits and veggies mostly so far since ending the cleanse. Need to make breads or crackers or something. Haven't had too much in the line of nuts yet, except quick 30 -second almond milk for my banana smoothies. Went all day today on fresh grapefruit juice and almondmilk/banana smoothie. Really wasn't too hungry, but ate a bunch of melon and I'm stuffed now!

[Ginger]

Nina - my birds are lovin' the raw lifestyle. It's so funy. I used to have to fight them to go in their cages when I left for work. Now, I prepare their food, walk into the room saying "MMmmmm" and they race to get the goodies!!

Has anyone heard from Peanutterb? Is she OK?

[Sim]

OKEY DOKEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi my Beauties!!!! I'M BACK!
I did actually get back on Saturday, but with parents and kids calling, jet lag, phone messages and snail mail to look at, I have been MIA these last three days! I wanted to write you all FIRST but I knew I needed time, time to talk with you and time to enjoy "being" with my loveliest friends. Oh, have I missed you all! I have just spent the last hour and a half reading your posts (this thread and a few others) and it was torture to read and not respond! But I wanted to catch up on everything that's gone on for the last two weeks and boy, are you all the best! Nina, I don't know you yet but we WILL be friends! And yes, I can tell you something about traveling and remaining raw, which I'll get to...and parrots, too! My brother used to have a Green Winged Macaw named Gus; what a stitch he was! (the bird, not my brother :D ) TeePee: a new house, a new life with BF, more weight loss (you are GORGEOUS), back to enjoying solids and a trip to Turks and Caicos!!!! What a ride, girl! Ginger, just for you, so you don't have to search any longer:

Red Pepper Dragon Chips
Yield: about 9 dozen chips (serves 18)
These fiery hot, crispy, crunchy chips were created by Living Light chef instructor, Cassandra Durham. They are satisfying spicy chips that go perfectly with smooth and creamy Traditional Mexican Guacamole or Avocado Salsa.

1 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, firmly packed
6 red bell peppers, chopped (about 6 cups)
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon crystal salt
1 1/2 cups purified water
2 cups golden flax meal
1. Put the red bell peppers in a food processor outfitted with the "S" blade, and process until smooth. Add the basil leaves, chili powder, cayenne, and salt, and process again until smooth.
2. Add the water and flaxseeds, and process once more until smooth. (Makes about 6 cups batter.)
3. Let stand for 30 minutes to thicken.
4. Spread the mixture on dehydrator trays lined with nonstick sheets (2 cups per tray). Dehydrate at 105 degrees for about 6 hours, or until the chips are easily removed from the sheets.
5. Flip the nonstick sheets over onto the mesh screen and gently peel the sheets off the partially dehydrated cracker batter.
6. Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut the cracker into 16 squares (4x4). Then, cut at a right angle through each square, to split each one in half and create a total of 32 triangles per sheet. Continue to dehydrate for 6 to 8 hours, or until the chips are completely dry.
7. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to three months.

Nance, YOU ROCK MY WORLD!!!!!! Well, maybe that's not fair; YOU ALL DO!!!
Saralise, nice to meet you...oh! We have so much to talk about!!!
HealthyBiz: one question: is Matt really as emaciated as his pictures make him look? ;)

And Kath, oh, Kath....I have sooooooooooo much to tell you!!!!
So....now that you know I'm totally, irreconciliably in love with all of you, my friends, let me tell you about my trip to Ireland. I promise I will not go on and on :rolleyes: As they used to say in the old FBI series, "just the facts, ma'am." That's how old I am....I used to love that show! Ireland: it IS as green as I'd imagined! The people were the friendliest I've ever encountered, it rained every day except two, didn't matter, and I discovered I am far more strong than anyone could ever imagine. How's that for the wrap-up? Record time. Now onto the important stuff! YES, I remained raw 99.99%!!! I went away a little on the weakened side, having not exercised for the last two weeks of my 41 day cleanse and having gotten back to raw just 7 days between the end of the cleanse and the trip...a little too fast after such a long cleanse, but necessary. I weighed 96.5 pounds and EVERYONE in my life was making noise about how pathetic I looked and that maybe "I've carried this a little too far." Oh, how I hate those comments. To be honest, I do not look good at this weight...bones are sticking out everywhere. I'm using the present tense because after my two week hiking extravaganza, I still weigh97 pounds, even though I ate like there was no tomorrow! And what did I eat?? I brought my Magic Wands with me, 8 of them (having eaten the other 7 before I even left CT!), almonds, apricots, dates, pecans, LaraBars. In Ireland, I was able to have fresh fruit for breakfast most of the time and when there was none, I had raw mushrooms and tomatoes (I wasn't worried about the food combining or the fruit/veg controversy....raw was raw and I was hungry). While hiking, I ate from my stash, which only lasted 6 days...after all, that stuff is heavy and I couldn't take two weeks' worth. When we arrived at our B&B, we showered and went to a pub or restaurant for dinner. And what did I eat? See my next posting for a continuation....I'm afraid this IS too long!

[Sim]

Continued....so what did I eat at the pub? I did the unthinkable: I asked for salad and raw veggies and olive oil. Definitely NOT the norm in Ireland. Most of the time, they thought I was bonkers, especially when I said "not steamed, but raw"...unheard of over there. Once lass even asked if all Americans eat that way, which made me laugh uncontrollably because I thought of all of you and how much we collectively have to face when others confront our new way of eating. Anyway, I had some of the most beautifully composed salads! They went out of their way to make it plentiful and pretty, so much so that my traveling companions were actually coveting my salads! Now ladies, honestly...if one wants to remain raw, one can...you just have to have the mindset. Did I have any fish and chips? Guinness? Black pudding? (blood sausage) Irish butter? Brown bread? Hmmmm....okay, so I said I was 99.99% raw because...I had a couple of swigs of Guinness (ewwww, tasted like dirt to me...I don't drink anyway and if I did, it would be something sweet and yummy like Apricot Sours, not Guinness), three "chips" and bite of boiled potato, just to see if Irish potatoes taste any different than American (they don't...a potato is a potato is a potato) and the sum total of half a piece of Irish Brown Bread over the course of the two weeks. I did well! I wanted to experience Ireland, the sights, sounds, smells, and food, yet I didn't want to eat cooked because I was afraid, afraid it would make me ill and afraid it would open a floodgate and undo 7 months' worth of a raw diet. Guess what? No problem. So I didn't have the "full Irish Breakfast" every morning (eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, pudding, cereal, scones, coffee and tea, beans and toast), so I didn't drink stout (I didn't GET stout, either!), so I didn't have deep fried fish and chips, Irish stew, or steak-and-Guinness pie...I still enjoyed Ireland to the max and found out that my focus on food from my "previous" life had changed for the better....I was able to focus on the total experience, not just "Oooh, what are having to eat?" What a revelation for a foodie like me! I watched as my husband and traveling mates ate all of that other stuff...and I didn't want it. Oh, sure...I had those couple of sips of stout, bites of potato, snips of brown bread just to see what they were talking about and to be able to say that I wasn't a complete raw maniac, refusing to experience a somewhat important part of a culture. Okay. I experienced a little and it was enough. Point 01 percent...and the rest raw. It was beautiful and I was happy with Ireland and with myself. So we hiked 127 miles over some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain I've ever seen (I literally got blown down on a mountain in gale force 60 miles per hour winds and I summited the col of a mountain that had a sheer drop descent of mud and rocks), while I carried a 24 pound pack the whole time, eating as I went, snacking on my nuts and dried fruit and sometimes fresh fruit...and I came home strong, healthy, happy, and definitely raw. And I still weigh only 97-98 pounds, bones all over the place. And my "peeps" are still giving me a hard time, only now I say, "Well, do you think I could do all that hiking, carrying a pack, if I weren't healthy and strong?" It stops them in mid-sentence. So that's my trip info, kids. It was as awesome as I had hoped and this morning, I baked an Irish Brown Bread for my family to taste. I will not be having any:D But I will tell you something very smart that I did (unusual ;) ): I made Cohen's blueberry bread, carrot bread, pizza crusts, and rye bagels before I left and put them in the freezer...and the minute I got home, I took a little out and popped them in the Big E for 10 minutes: BEAUTIFUL!!! I HIGHLY recommend both the blueberry and carrot breads. I made them both like cracker thinness instead of loaves because I was leaving and didn't have too many hours for a loaf to dehydrate, but it doesn't matter; delicious. And it was great to have the bagel right there; I hadn't had anything really solid for two weeks (fresh fruit and veggies are awesome but there's not much there for solidity.) And then after the half a bagel, bloat!!! I'm with you MTM on the grains thing; I think they are good in very small quantities for me but that I'm best sticking to fresh fruits and veggies. And I'm sorry I can't remember the name of the person who warned about too many nuts and dried fruits, but although you are correct about that, when eating a BALANCED raw diet, you would instinctively know when enough is enough. If one is foolish enough to eat two cups of nuts in one sitting or a whole container of dried figs in ten minutes, then one should expect the same miserable results as when eating, in a previous mindset, a huge bag of Doritos and three Diet (or non-diet) Cokes or a whole cheesecake. Misery. I'm hoping we're all getting used to our bodies' ability to send us healthy messages. Personally, I no longer count servings, calories, grams of fat or anything else anymore...no need. I've conquered the "no portion is big enough" life I used to have. By the way girls, I have not lost weight eating raw, only maintained the weight loss achieved as a result of the cleanses. I am 44 pounds lighter than I was in December and it's amazing, a little bit of a jolt, definitely feels fine, even though I might have to start buying clothes in the children's department soon...not funny, either. And I want to confess something: I've never had a psychological problem with my weight, I think I've been "normal", going up or down ten or twenty pounds, lamenting my lot when I've not liked how I looked, celebrating (with food!) when I've loved the way I looked...I think I've been "normal." In spite of this, I find myself telling my concerned family and friends that I promise I will gain some weight back because I'm too thin now. ("Skinny, not thin," says my son). The confession: I've given myself permission (Thank you Kathy!!) to be whatever I myself want to be and if I feel well at this weight, then maybe I'll just stay at this weight. Or I'll see what my body does and go with the flow...but I'm not going to gain or lose weight to please anyone as long as I feel healthy however I am. Thank you, my Priestesses, for hearing my confession....hey, isn't there a Red Dragon Chip around somewhere so I can have my unofficial raw Eucharist??? Oh, wait a minute....that won't work; I'm Jewish!!!! :D And yes, I'm apologizing right this minute if I've just offended anyone; I'm Jewish but spent many years of Sundays in Church with my former spouse, so I allow myself a little humor now and then...all religions are good until cult leaders pervert them; I hope you'll all still love me:)

So...write on, my honeys...I want to see how your individual and collective lives are developing....so glad to be back here with you!!! Sending you all love and hugs!

[TeePee]

WELCOME HOME, SIM!!!
YOU ARE THE BEST
AND TRULY AN INSPIRATION!!!:)

[ninab64]

nice to meet you, sim. i have traveled abroad, and took a post-to-post horseback riding trip about 10 years ago, out of Galway. it was gorgeous; love those "soft" days!

i know that i can request a special preparation or dish at restaurants, but was hoping for perhaps a restaurant that specializes in raw/veg/vegan in London? if anyone knows of a place for me to check out, i would appreciate it.

:)

[ninab64]

all right! my books from Amazon are supposedly waiting on my porch as i type:

RAWvolution: Gourmet Living Cuisine

Green for Life

The Complete Book of Raw Food: Healthy, Delicious Vegetarian Cuisine Made with Living Foods

Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People

--

looking forward to perusing the recipes :p

[Ginger]

Yeah!!!!

(((((((((((SIM))))))))))))

Welcome home! What an amazing story. I'm so jealous. I'm halh Irish and want to go there. Hope to sometime in the next couple years.


My dehydrator came in today (ginger doin' a happy dance). BUt I'm so busy for the next few days I won't get to play with it till next week (ginger sobbing uncontrollably).

[Sim]

Yeah!!!!

My dehydrator came in today (ginger doin' a happy dance). BUt I'm so busy for the next few days I won't get to play with it till next week (ginger sobbing uncontrollably).

Ginger...I know just how you feel...my Vitamix is still not unpacked!!!! Too much to do, too little time...but oh, how I need to use that thing!

[gpruwitmandymae]

I am eating my last breakfast for a while right now and I'm excited about starting this fast. I made up the shopping list and I'm going to the health store after work. I bought the books yesterday and was very encouraged by everyones comments and sucess stories. I am praying that this is it for me in everyway. I have tried everything to loose weight and feel good about myself but nothing has worked. I am only 23 and I weigh 205lbs. I have been this way for a long time and I have had enough. Looking forward to learning from you all who have been sucessful.

[Sim]

I am eating my last breakfast for a while right now and I'm excited about starting this fast. I made up the shopping list and I'm going to the health store after work. I bought the books yesterday and was very encouraged by everyones comments and sucess stories. I am praying that this is it for me in everyway. I have tried everything to loose weight and feel good about myself but nothing has worked. I am only 23 and I weigh 205lbs. I have been this way for a long time and I have had enough. Looking forward to learning from you all who have been sucessful.

Hi gpru~
Welcome! We're so happy you've decided to put your health at the top of your list...what a perfect present to give yourself! This "thread" of conversation is for people who have completed a cleanse and want to try a Raw Food diet. We'd love to have you here to chat and share and please come every day, but probably you'd find your best encouragement on the thread "What Day are you on and how are you doing?" It's a forum for other people on the cleanse who are sharing the experience. Best of luck...check in with us and let us know how it's going! :)

[Nance]

Whoa,

Just a short note to check in.

Welcome home Sim! I am so glad you are home, I love your tesimonial!

On the home front, my female cycle was getting in line on the MC and now since I started eating, it is thrown off by 2 weeks.:eek: Finally came back today, and I AM SO HUNGRY!:rolleyes: Today for the first time about a month into the raw ( first 10 days soups and juices), that I detested going home to eat a salad, and craved Burger King. Oh, brother. :mad: I did not go there. But I did cave at my nautral foods coop coordinator's home as we were assessing the raw bulk items order (over 200# this month) :D and ate some of her wholesome, but cooked, whole wheat spaghetti and home made bread:eek: I am a recovering breadaholic.and just fell off the wagon.

This 30 days of raw challenge is showing me where I can easily enjoy raw:D , and the places (at friends' homes):o and seasons (that time of the month):confused: when it takes the extra planning and discipline.

Yesterday, I made the Walnut Pate out of Jenn C's book. To the basic recipe, I added extra tahini, parsley, 3 mushrooms, shoyu, and italian seasoning. It was WONDERFUL. I stuffed mushrooms with it and avocado, and, me oh my, my body said I am happy.:) :) :) I almost fancied myself a budding raw food chef.:p Now if I had just made twice the batch, it might have carried me through today. Now I know. I also know I will need a larger food processor someday. This one is a Cuisinart 4 cup food processor/ blender combo, and really is a workhorse, just small for big batches.:(

I love this thread, and think of you guys often . . . even when I cannot get online and write a decent note. Oh it has gone crazy :confused: at work, just when I think it is going to settle down it goes to the next level.:eek: I get to practice my 'NOer'. 8)

Anyway, thanks for reading, I am just bushed else I would write you by name.

Love and hugs!

[gpruwitmandymae]

Hi gpru~
Welcome! We're so happy you've decided to put your health at the top of your list...what a perfect present to give yourself! This "thread" of conversation is for people who have completed a cleanse and want to try a Raw Food diet. We'd love to have you here to chat and share and please come every day, but probably you'd find your best encouragement on the thread "What Day are you on and how are you doing?" It's a forum for other people on the cleanse who are sharing the experience. Best of luck...check in with us and let us know how it's going! :)


My Bad. I did not realize that this was for people who finished already. I'll join another thread. Thx.

[Sim]

Whoa,

Just a short note to check in.

I love this thread, and think of you guys often . . . even when I cannot get online and write a decent note. Oh it has gone crazy :confused: at work, just when I think it is going to settle down it goes to the next level.:eek: I get to practice my 'NOer'. 8)

Anyway, thanks for reading, I am just bushed else I would write you by name.

Love and hugs!


Hi Nance! Oooooh, it's so good to be back with you all again! Boy do I know how you feel...so little time to do everything...don't worry about "writing by name"...we all know that you're talking to each and every one of us! :D

Isn't it fun to imagine that you're a chef? The raw just lends itself to creativity because you almost can't ruin anything (well, almost; I seem to have a talent for fixing, ruining, and fixing...and it all comes out just fine). About the cycle stuff: yeah, me too. Being "of an age", I'm never sure if it's going to be regular, since I had missed 3 back in the fall BEFORE cleansing and raw...and I had hot flashes, but not sweaty ones. Well, guess what? I cleansed, went on raw and haven't had any flashes since and I missed one cycle due to a January D&C. I think cleansing and raw have set me aright. Weird, but not so weird...my body's getting younger! :D (only in my dreams; naked, I look EXACTLY my age...:eek: ) Never mind...physically, I'm convinced that the MC and raw have had a positively tremendous physically altering effect on me...and I'm not going back to the pre-MC me, ever. (Wow, I'm emphatic this morning :D )

I get soooo hungry when it's "that time.." Anyone else, besides Nance and me? I get very tired for one day, too...the day before. I was going to ask if this is normal, but what's normal, except what's normal for each of us?

I made Cohen's pizza this week, delicious. I made a HUGE batch of Nomi's Sunny Paté, one of my all time favorites. But a strange thing is happening: nothing is tasting quite right to me and I'm wondering if it has to do with the extended cleanse and a too-quick return to solids. I'm also finding that because of the hot, humid weather, all I really want is fruit and my eyes are way bigger than my tummy at this point. Let me tell you, eating a whole watermelon in the course of 24 hours is NOT a good idea :eek: :D But it certainly was scrumptious after apples, oranges, and bananas in Ireland.

Don't you all find that summer produce is an inducement to eat differently? It's now blueberry season and I'm really looking forward to those smoothies...

Okay, children, time to book....have a great day everyone, keep the love I'm sending you and send back the empty container so I can refill it for another shipment!

[charlottebird]

Hi Rawbies!!!!:D

It's been a while (I know:rolleyes: ) since I posted but I am never far from the raw food
thoughts.

Sim: WELCOME BACK! I was amazed at your tenacity sticking to raw foods while in Ireland (of all places!). You are a testament of raw food lifestyle's vitality and a major role model for me.

MtMouse: Can you please post Cohen's "easier" (middle) pizza crust recipe? I am gearing up to try that this week. You seem to be the Pizza Guru here so your experience in making these is a bonus!

I was away for 10 days traveling through the Maritimes. I loved PEI the most. There is not a bad view on the island and the land is rich, fertile, unspoiled ... just heavenly! Nova Scotia's coast was just lovely and I had the most amazing, spiritual hike through woods and along coastline. So many shades of green and breathtaking ocean views. I savoured every precious moment and took hundreds of photos.

I made raw energy bars for the trip (yumm!) and ate as much raw fruits and veggies as I could. It really made a difference in how I felt and how I think about going forward with more raw foods. It's still a slow transition but every time I make a raw food choice, my complete self (body, mind and spirit) is grateful.

Be well!!!! :)

[Sim]

It's been a while (I know:rolleyes: ) since I posted but I am never far from the raw food
thoughts.

And you, Charlotte, are never far from our thoughts! :)

Sim: WELCOME BACK! I was amazed at your tenacity sticking to raw foods while in Ireland (of all places!). You are a testament of raw food lifestyle's vitality and a major role model for me.

Know what? It wasn't tenacity...after these seven months, it's just the way I eat now. Seems a little strange to my family...the other day, my youngest son, 20, said, "Oh, yeah, I forgot; you don't eat real food anymore." Funny to think that cheese pizza, fast food, and Twinkies could be considered "real food" as opposed to fresh raw veggies and fruit, nuts and grains. But hey, to each his/her own!

I was away for 10 days traveling through the Maritimes. I loved PEI the most. There is not a bad view on the island and the land is rich, fertile, unspoiled ... just heavenly! Nova Scotia's coast was just lovely and I had the most amazing, spiritual hike through woods and along coastline. So many shades of green and breathtaking ocean views. I savoured every precious moment and took hundreds of photos.

Oooh! Can you post any pix so we could see?

I made raw energy bars for the trip (yumm!) and ate as much raw fruits and veggies as I could. It really made a difference in how I felt and how I think about going forward with more raw foods. It's still a slow transition but every time I make a raw food choice, my complete self (body, mind and spirit) is grateful.

Talk about tenacity!! You made your own bars and I just relied on Lara! You, Charlotte, are an inspiration and very realistic. Some cooked, some raw...eventually, the scales might just tip in favor of more or all raw, only because it feels so good. Welcome back...I'm now going to look up the Maritimes to see if a mini-hiking vacation before the end of summer is in order!

[mtmouse]

MtMouse: Can you please post Cohen's "easier" (middle) pizza crust recipe? I am gearing up to try that this week. You seem to be the Pizza Guru here so your experience in making these is a bonus!

Haha. I like that: Pizza Guru. :D

Here's Cohen's "Easy Crust" (as opposed to Gourmet Crust or Easiest Crust):

2 cups sprouted buckwheat (I use sprouted wheat, which I prefer)
1 cup soaked flax seeds
1 cup red bell pepper
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
1 clove garlic
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Just combine all ingredients in a food processor until well blended and smooth, then spread approximately 1/4" thick on Teflex or parchment sheets in whatever shape/size you prefer (i.e., rectangle, circle). Dehydrate 2 hours or more until crust can be flipped over and the sheets peeled off. Dehydrate further until firm but not hard or crispy. (Unless you like a tostada-like crust for guacamole, which I do. But for pizza, it's best not to get them too hard.)

They freeze really nicely. And someone on here even freezes them with the sauce, cheeze, and toppings in place. I haven't tried that yet. Some guru! :p

[Ginger]

I just made Matt's Mock tuna salad. OMG:eek: . The picture is from before the dressing is put on. I cut back on the garlic and dill...he used an awful lot. And you really don't need to add all the dressing. But it is fabulous!

I also made his french onion soup. It was a bit salty, I think I'll use less namu shoyu next time. But it was a quick soup and I got it very warm in my vitamix. MMMmmm

Getting ready to use my dehydrator. Making Matt's onion bread. What's the diff between teflex and paraflexx?

[mtmouse]

I'll have to try the mock tuna, Ginger.

I did an online search for Teflex and couldn't find anything but Paraflexx, so I think they're the same. I suspect the name must have changed since most of our gurus wrote their books.

Everyone says that about Matt and his nama shoyu, LOL.

[TeePee]

I just put the onion bread in the dehydrator and I can't wait. The carbs, breads and crackers, even the dehydrated potato chips are all I crave in addition to fruits and salads. With this trying to sell two houses and get ready for vacation, I have not had time to DH a thing or prepare anything except smoothies and cut up produce.

I miss the DH goodies and had to taste (tiny bites) of cooked stuff at my dad's birthday dinner at my parents yesterday. Nothing outlandish. A couple bites of corn on the cob (no butter, just plain) and some beans. I feel like complete crap when I do that and it definitely pulls at your heart strings of "wanting more". I am such a firm believer in Boutenko's notion of cooked food being an addiction and having a few bites here and there makes it harder. IT IS TRUE, I HAVE TESTED THIS THEORY OUT!! Sim has the right idea, don't look back. It is of course easy to say! I am really hoping I do as well on my vacation next week as Sim has done!!! Always inpiring, Sim!!

I am thinking of just slicing up the one zucchini I have in the fridge to make something crunchy very quickly!!:p

[Ginger]

The mock tuna makes a HUGE amount. I got my daughter to try it (she thinks I'm crazy for eating raw) and she said it tasted like chicken salad w/o the chicken. It reminds me of potato salad with dill.

TeePee - did it seem there were too many onions in the mix? I didn't use the processor, I just sliced thin in the mandoline.

[TeePee]

Ginger,

It did seem like a lot of onions and I only used two as opposed to 3 stated in recipe. It is STILL drying of course! I think I have always used only 2 onions. I also used the mandoline because the food processor does it to thick. I was very careful. When I got to the end of the onion, I stopped slicing, and put the bigger chunks of left over onion to marinate in Nama Shoyu and then into the dehydrator to get like crispy "onion rings".

Didn't get to the burgers yet, I should go do that now before I go toBF to paint. That way, I'll have something yummy when hunger strikes!! I may be eating mushy onion bread wrapped around a mushy burger at 9 pm tonight!!

I have all this to do, but it is sooo beautiful outside. 8)

[charlottebird]

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!:D

Sim: You are too gracious! I will be happy to post some raw bar recipes. I am experimenting with some new variations this week.

Here is a link to the wonderful Taylor Head park we hiked through in Nova Scotia (near Sheet Harbour - 1 hour East of Halifax). It is so beautiful and hardly ever used. We didn't see another soul on the trail. One part at the point looks very similar to Scottish highlands.

http://parks.gov.ns.ca/parks/data/TaylorHead07.pdf

I will get my photos downloaded somewhere to post a few. Any recommendations on a free site for sharing photos?

Mtmouse: Many, many thanks for posting that pizza recipe. I have got to get using that dehydrator and start 'baking'. Question about the sprouting process. Can you use just regular grains or do I have to purchase particular sprouting varieties (silly question but such a newbie here - lol!).

TeePee: Holy Dehydration, Girl! :eek: You are amazing! I've had my dehydrator for a month now and it still sits on my counter and you are drying up a boatload of food. Way to go! Hey, let me know how those dehydrated onions turned out.

My raw food fest this weekend included loads of fresh picked raspberries. I picked lots for my mom (her favourite berry) and plenty for my family, most of which are in the freezer for future use. I just LOVE picking produce. Being among the fields is a glorious thing. I'll go out once more with the kids this week.

Enjoy your day, Rawbies. :)

[ninab64]

oh, no! i'm going to be flying to London on Friday, and i feel like i'm getting a head cold, or have bad congestion and a sore throat! i've been mostly raw, the only non-raw would be from vita mix soups. otherwise, all fruit/veg/nut.

i gargled with salt water, but nothing seems to have changed.

this is post-cleanse week 2. my breathing is very clear; might this be some more detoxing? any suggestions???

[TeePee]

Ninab,

Keep up the salt water gargle. It got me thru a nasty infection this winter. Really try to hold off on "taking" anything (as long as done with sense) since you've just detoxed all that junk out of your body. You want to let all of the congestion OUT of you,not stop it with pills. Drink lots of water and fresh juices. Oh, and put some lemon in your water. Maybe some peppermint tea for comfort. You could still be detoxing. This happened to me in Jan when ended cleanse and began raw.

ALSO, try taking spoonful of chopped up garlic. You can just swallow it down with water like pills if you don't like garlic. When I was in NYC in Feb to go to PUre Food and Wine, I had a bad sinus infection. The girl at Pure Juice and Takeaway (round the corner and attached to pure food and wine) gave me a spoonful of garlic to help with the congestion. IT WORKED!!! Also she recommened out of all the smoothies there, a green one because it promotes an alkaline body and illness can't live in alkaline environment. I tell ya, I recovered the fastest I ever have some sinus infections, WITHOUT any meds. Hope you feel better soon. I'm flying Saturday to the Carribean and just trying to keep my back feeling good!! Let us know how you are doing!

I also use saline spray, when I feel congested. Any over the counter store brand, like CVS. It is just saline, to keep nasal passages moist. I used to to take Allegra and Rhinocort (steroid spray) everyday of my life. Finally had sinus surgery about 4-5 years ago and stopped getting infections. Then I stopped taking all meds and changed my diet over the years until arriving
here!!

Charlottebird,

The onions are great!!! I think I'm going to have onion bread, tomato, avocado and "onion ring" sandwhich for lunch later!!!!

Going back and forth from BF's painting. I don't want to lug all my raw food stuff there, so I have to keep coming back and checking DH and rinsing sprouts!! Or just to cut up a tomato! It is very "sparse" at his house and it's just nicer to make the 10 minute ride back to raw world here!!

[ninab64]

thanks for the tips, TeePee. i'll try the garlic method, and some peppermint tea. i'm having a lemon juice/apple cider vinaigrette on my salad later today, had a green smoothie (with kale and berries) for breakfast, and had a pineapple/oj snack just a bit ago. pineapple is supposedly very soothing to the throat.

i also have a neti pot for nasal irrigation, i'll have to get that out to use after the gargle this evening

i can feel this in my right ear, so something is going on. but, i'll go the natural route until i have no other choice.

:)

[TeePee]

I am getting ready to have my SECOND tomato, avocado, mayo and onion bread sandwich for today!! I was sooooo good earlier that I had to come home from BF's (still painting:mad: ) to make another. Plus stop at mom's to pick up some of her homemade shrimp scaampi:p for BF. No, I won't be having any:(

Anyway, I thought I would share my MAYO RECIPE! I looked at Cohen's and Amsdens and decided on my own version. It is close to Amsdens.

1/2 cup or so of macadamian nuts
juice of 1/2 lemon
clove garlic
pinch or so sea salt
1/2 tsp or so dried tarragon
tiny bit of dried dill
water only as needed to blend.


I blended in the Magic Bullet. Not very powerful, but since I was making small quantity I had to as it would been too little for the processor or VitaMix. It did okay in there. Some of the nuts didn't fully blend, but I will blend it again now that it has been sittting in fridge. Maybe if I had soaked the nuts, but I figure they've been sorta soaking as blended. NO?:confused:

Well, it came out nice and creamy and white like mayo! Added a few leaves of basil and what a fabulous sandwich if I do say so myself!!

[ninab64]

okie dokie. last night i did the spoonful of garlic. tasted that all night and even this morning! salt water gargle, and nasal irrigation. gargle and irrigation this morning. still feel something going on, but so far the gland in the neck feels "normal"

i am feeling a bit worn, but so far i'm doing ok. drinking more mint tea at the moment

any other suggestions?

[TeePee]

Hi Nina,

Keep resting up. And keep the fluids coming in. Do you have a fever? I would give it a couple days. you are leaving Friday? Sending well wishes your way.:o

[ninab64]

TeePee,

no, no fever. just a nagging sore throat on the right, and some irritation in the right ear. really, it's the ear that worries me more than the throat, since the cabin pressure will make it worse. yep, leaving Friday early evening. i think i'll buy some Ear Planes, those have worked well in the past

thanks for your good wishes!

[ninab64]

and here's another issue i've had since coming off the cleanse: my eliminations have not been what i would expect (too firm), being on a diet of fruit and veg, including a green smoothie every morning and a big salad at lunch. anyone else experience that? it also took a week from the end of the cleanse until my first elim. color is very dark.

perhaps i need to add psyllium husks to the smoothie?

i'm not overloading on nuts, or dried fruit either. i never seem to drink the amount of water that i should, but i don't think that's the issue.

[Japonica]

I have not started the MC yet, as I have had surgery 4 weeks ago and I am not fully healed. So I would like to do the one Month RAW Challenge. Is there a sample diet somewhere on this site?

I can't wait until I've healed to try it though! I have stopped all caffeine as of 2 weeks ago, and am eating a raw salad for lunch every day w/organic lo-fat dressing from Whole Foods. Any suggestions for good cookbooks? My husband won't eat like this so I'll have to make him his chicken too!

Thanks!

[Nance]

I am just touching base . . . am on a large project at work and am burning the candle at both ends. This is where I can see my weakness and strengths especially with eating the wrong stuff for the wrong reasons. Stress eating and social eating.

There was someting in the raw marinara sauce that I am allergic to, I have puffed up since I made it. I think it is the bell peppers. I try it again without it.

Night Night. Sweet dreams, everybody!

[mtmouse]

I have not started the MC yet, as I have had surgery 4 weeks ago and I am not fully healed. So I would like to do the one Month RAW Challenge. Is there a sample diet somewhere on this site?

Thanks!

Hi there!

Sorry I don't have time to search for the link, but peanutterb gave us a link to her blog where she worked up some sample menus. If you do an Advanced Search to her posts (be sure to select the results to be returned as posts, not threads), you could probably find it pretty easily, as it was fairly recent.

Most of the rest of us started with Alissa Cohen's book, Living on Live Food, which has a one-month menu plan, or J. Cornbleet's Raw Food Made Easy, which also has sample menus for several days.

I'll have more time to devote to the thread next week when my guest leaves, but this thread (and also After the Cleanse and Lemonhead Recipe Box) will give you lots of information if you read it from the beginning.

Happy raw eating! :)

[ninab64]

YAY seems like my sore throat and irritated ears has diminished on their own, without having to resort to Sudafed (my pre-cleanse, pre Sinus Buster staple). doesn't seem 100%, but it's good enough that i wouldn't mind flying as is.

thanks for everyone's advice. now, on to the diet in Britain. for the flight over, i requested a vegan diet. pretty sure it'll include breads, which i'll give to my husband or nephew. i'm packing plenty of dried fruit, and nuts, and will probably bring a couple apples.

anyone else have any ideas for me?

:)

[TeePee]

Ninab,

So glad you are feeling better!!! Keep up the garlic each night if you can.
Have you tried the LARA bars? They are mostly raw and sorta like a protein bar type thing. Available at health food stores and Whole Foods. They are pretty tasty. They could probably get you through times when you don't have fresh produce. Very filling.

I tried making the crust from Cohen's calzone. It is still in DH. Even though it was supposed to be like 5 hours then stuff it and go several more hours, it's still in there. I don't think I'll have time to stuff it, I don't know, maybe. But I wanted some "bread" other than onion. We'll see. I have to clean my house for a showing today and still painting at BF getting his house ready. Hard to make stuff when you aren't home!

Oh, I made Cohen's cucumber soup last night. Pretty good. I think I used tooo much lemon and dill. But good.

[ninab64]

OOOH, TeePee, i can't wait to use my new dehydrator. it's torture to get it right before my trip, when i can't dehydrate anything quick enough :p

[Sim]

Hi All~
I've been MIA, needing to work very hard on my book, since summer is half over and school looms...but I've lurked a little, though unable to jump into the conversation. TeePee, you are the BEST! as always.

Ninab64~I just came back from two weeks in Ireland, so I know what you'll be facing in England. Fresh fruit in the morning, some nuts, dried fruits, maybe a Lara-type bar during the day, and a great big salad at night. The salad was never on the menu; I had to explain what I wanted: "any uncooked, totally raw veggies, like cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots, over a nice bed of salad greens, a little olive oil on the side, please," and they were VERY accommodating! You can do this! I also asked for the vegetarian meals on the plane...all I wound up being able to eat was the salad and a small bowl of fruit...the rest of the meal was either cooked veggies with rice or pasta, served with a roll and cookies. My husband and friends appreciated the extra food :D

Have a good time, don't make yourself crazy. As for your unused-as-yet dehydrator, don't worry. It will keep. Same thing happened to me with the Vitamix. It's not proudly taking up space on my counter and I"m loving every minute using it!

Have a great trip, nina!

Japonica~Please make sure you're all healed before you drastically change your eating...you need all the protein you can get right now for healing purposes.

Nance~ Hi! Ooooh, I know what you mean! Eating from stress and/or eating when you're tired, instead of stopping to de-stress or stopping to sleep. I hear you!! Let's make a concerted effort not to go in that direction, you and I. It's always the stress and the lack of time that does me in....now that I've gotten my diet under control in the best direction, my new project to "work on" is getting my time management and stress parameters under control. Lots of self-talk involved, but I know I'll do it...after all, going raw cold turkey was supposed to be difficult and it wasn't. :rolleyes:

Kath~ We need to catch up, you and I!!!!

[ninab64]

for the last couple days, i've been having snack urges. had some salted cashews the other night -- i was only planning on having about 4, but that number suddenly had a 1 in front of it :p

and during the day, mostly after my nice large salad, i start getting munchy. i sure hope this is a phase.

TeePee, yep i have had Lara bars. they are yummie! thanks for reminding me about those!

i'll let you guys know how i'm faring over there. i have been 90% raw (appx) for this past month (ok, so i'm counting the MC) but i'm ok if i am not 100% raw, especially during this trip. i am absolutely not doing dairy, though. i want to go 6 months, at least, and see if it's making a difference in how i feel.

[TeePee]

Ninab,

Giving up the dairy is the best decision by far. I'll never go back to dairy. It now grosses me out to smell it.

HAVE A GREAT TRIP!!!!

[mtmouse]

Kath~ We need to catch up, you and I!!!!

YES!!!

I was just about to go looking for you. But I've got a guest for the week and I'm scrambling to stay afloat as it is, LOL. So glad to hear you're okay.

I'll be more available come the weekend ...

[ninab64]

about 9 years ago, i ate a vegan diet for 6-9 months. it was difficult at the time to buy my lunches, as dairy seems to find its way into almost every pre-made food item we eat. i was, however, eating soy products, and from what i read at the time, soy milk and cheese can simulate milk's effects (such as excess phlegm) if you just switch it out, and don't give your body a chance to rid it from your system.

well, i ate no dairy or other animal product for that amount of time, and finally realized that not only had i not lost any signifigant amount of weight, but that i also didn't seem to physically feel any differently than when i ate a "standard" but healthy diet which included all foods. so, i went back to my previous diet.

that is what i'm thinking about when i say i'm wanting to see if there is a difference.

what i have noticed so far, is clearer sinuses. i still have to clear my throat a bit, and i'm guessing that is because my body is adapting to my new diet and has perhaps been too dry, and is overcompensating at times.

the other thing i noticed just a few days into the cleanse was for my resting pulse rate to drop back down to a normal range. previously, my pulse was anywhere from 80-90/min, but for whatever reason i took my pulse around day 5, and found it was 70/min. this evening, it was 60!

have to say, i have not increased my exercise at all, so i know that is not a contributing factor. what ever caused this change, i'm happy about it

:D

[Res]

I have a lot of catching up to do...

I love seeing this thread so active and I love all of you! :)

Love,
~Res

[TeePee]

Res!!! So glad to see you here!!! Have been wondering about you!!

Leaving tomorrow night for the airport. Going to Turks and Caicos with 7 yr old daughter and BF. CAN'T WAIT!! Hoping to stay raw. It is a huge resort, so I think I'll be a-okay! I may, like our Sim, have a tiny taste of something it if screams out to me. But just a taste. Don't want to upset my tummy!

I AM IN LOVE with tomato, avocado, cucumber,basil, and my new mayo sandwiches on Matt's onion bread!! I have been eating them all week and have the most beautiful ingredients left over for a final one before leaving!!!

I will really miss checking in with everyone while I'm gone!! I'll be dreaming of coming back spending the rest of summer making lunches for some of my friends that have been wanting to come "sample" my world!!

[Ginger]

TeePee - have a wonderful time.

Res - we've missed ya

[Japonica]

Thanks! I also was reading in Peter's book about when he went to raw food the first time and gave up sweet everything, including sweet fruit. I was wondering if there are any "rules" about that? Like hi-carb fruits like bananas, etc. I used to do the hi-protein thing and you couldn't eat a banana! And all it got me was sky-high cholesterol. So I need another path to follow. It struck me as I was in Maui last year and saw bananas growing wild and how beautiful they were, and I thought, " How could something that just grows out of the ground be bad for you?"

[TeePee]

See You Guys Next Weekend!!! I'm Off!!

[Res]

Japonica,

Believe it or not, the really yellow ripe bananas are extremely high in sugar! I love them that way but am reduced to eating them more on the green side because there's less sugar. However, so what! It's not like I'm eating a Milky way bar, right? ;)

I go back and forth with all this stuff and I'll tell you - if we listened to everyone and did what "everyone" said to do we'd be tied in knots and never eat anything.

I love Dr Mercola - he says raw dairy is excellent for your health. He also eats meat (I do too) but he eats the top quality grass fed beef. Well, how raw is that? But he's in GREAT shape and he's healthy.

Then there's our all raw efforts. :) Then Adkins, Slimfast, Jenny Craig - everyone has their own ideas. Staying closest to nature seems best to me. I say try it all and then weed out what doesn't work for you. We're all different and our bodies tell us what we need. I need to learn to listen more and trust my instincts.

Blah, blah, blah.... ;) It's nice to be back.

TeePee! Have a wonderful time! :D

Love to you all!
~Res

[Res]

Ginger:

*Smooch* http://www.kurts-smilies.de/kiss.gif

[Nance]

Hey,

the good news is that almost a month after the MC I am still holding at 161 lbs. ( I got on the scale this morning expecting 167 or something like THAT.)
My ceiling point is 162. I absolutley do not want to go above that. I started at 187.5 in the beginning of May, and gained only 3 lbs since the MC. THAT IS PROGRESS!

Our monthly co-op order waws dealyed one week, so that threw my raw menu way off. With work burning at both ends, I did not have flex to roll with my new raw regime. I am still doing 90%+ raw.

I am very, very down today. Thre are some things I have have been very fearful of tackling that are at my doorstep now. I personally chose to wean off depression and anxiety meds during the MC and it has goine well up to this point . . . oh I hate those chemicals, but I also hate being so messed up on the job. I am sure that no one is as hard on me as I am on myself.

I am calling friends here at home, but got no response until a couple miniutes ago. I will trust this is the person I am to pour out to.

So please keep me in your happy thoughts, you are part of my support team.

[Res]

Aww Nance, can you identify exactly what it is that's depressing you? If so write it down. Then start at the top and see if there's anything you can do about it. If not, then set it aside in your mind and go to the next thing. I know - easier said than done.

-Go for a WALK. Get out into the air and sunshine for at least an hour - even if you don't feel like it.

-Drink a large glass of water

-If you like music put on something with a bit of rhythm - even if you don't feel like it. :) That will change once the music starts, but pick out upbeat music.

Hang in there. *hug*

Love,
~Res

[milo]

Hi Res,
I love Dr. Mercola also, I think you might have turned me onto him initially with one of your comments. Anyway I have bought all his books and love all the health info he gives, he just makes sense to me. I got his Optimal eating plan cd which is excellent and his EFT cd's. I love EFT except I haven't figure out yet quite how to apply it to myself. I go through the steps and it works for a while but not for good which it should. So I keep on plugging with that also, since I think that is a brilliant tool.
Milo

[Japonica]

Res - Thanks for the reply! I am trying to make this fun! Today was my first day of RAW! I have experimented w/partial raw in the past ( a la Harvey Diamond) but he gets into all that food combining, etc. Gets a little too complicated! I am going to have a salad tonight while my husband and my stepson grill steaks! Should be quite a challenge!:o

Take care!

[mtmouse]

Japonica,

There's absolutely no question that you can combine raw and totally yummy!

Definitely read through this whole thread, and then look at the Lemonhead Recipe Box. Not all of the recipes there are raw, but most are.

Most of us have bought a raw "uncook" book or two (or more, LOL). The ones mentioned most frequently here (Cohen, Cornbleet, and Amsden) have truly delicious recipes. In fact, I don't think I've ever made anything I didn't like out of any of them. I've ordered Ani Phyo's book, too, because her online recipes and videos are so tasty.

I think, page for page, the raw chefs we turn to give much more consistently delicious recipes than any other cookbook I've ever used in my life.

I had a friend here for five days and she was willing to eat 100% raw, so we had a lot of fun. Sometimes at the last minute--a half hour before the meal--I would pore over one of my books and find something and whip it up. She was really impressed! As was I: I am just completely amazed, over and over again, at how good tasting eating raw can be.

You don't have to jump in all at once, either. Take your time and keep adding more in. It really can be fun!

[mtmouse]

I love EFT except I haven't figure out yet quite how to apply it to myself. I go through the steps and it works for a while but not for good which it should. So I keep on plugging with that also, since I think that is a brilliant tool.
Milo

Milo,

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions you have about EFT.

[Res]

Ooh Japonica: I love The Diamonds and Fit for Life! :D However, I do things a bit different too because - well - the whole food combining thing takes WAY too much thought and energy and really I've already laid that to rest with my Paleolithic man theory and his non-food combining ways. I mean, if I'm stranded on an island or in a desert and I'm starving or just hungry and find food, I'm not going to care much if I eat the cactus or lizard first. (yuck :o sorry I watched SurvivalMan for the first time last night).

Anyway - there's a wealth of knowledge here about RAW foods -compliments of our Brainiacs (Sim, Kathy, Teepee, Ginger and sorry if I left the rest of you out).

I've been away for a bit and probably only 65% raw after being 100% raw for a few months. I'm glad to be back and picking up on all your *FIRE* all over again.

I'm serious when I say I love this thread and I love all of *YOU*! http://us.a2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/yahoo_personals3/personals_heart.gif (I sure miss Soph though.)

Love,
~Res

[Res]

Oooh, I want to be in on Milo's EFT questions for Kathy! ;) She can help you a LOT Milo. :D

Milo: I'm so glad you like Dr Mercola! He's probably the most "spot on" for me. He's at least the closest I've found to what floats my boat. :)

Don't ya just love this place? http://us.a2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/a/ya/yahoo_personals3/personals_heart.gif I'm going to try to shut up about it now. :o

Love,
~Res

[Nance]

Res,

Thank you!! What is happening is deepr than just surface stuff as I am sure you can all understand . . . I will keep breathing and take it a step at a time.

Love to you all . . . RAW, RAW, RAW!

I got an eggplant yesterday, just because it was beautiful and purple. I will look in the books and see what a good recipe is . . . any suggestions?

[mtmouse]

Nance,

I haven't thought about eggplant for a while! Do a search of this thread and the After the Cleanse thread and you'll probably find stuff we came up with.

As I recall, my two more successful attempts were:

1. Chips. Just slice it around 1/4", marinate in Bragg's with garlic, onion, and cayenne (or any taste you want), then dehydrate until crispy.

2. Pizza. Slice pretty thin (1/4" to 3/8"). Layer with cheeze, marinara sauce, and any toppings you like and dehydrate until you can pick it up or as long as you want.

A friend recently mentioned making caponata. It's cooked (do a Google search), but I think one of us ought to be able to come up with a reasonable facsimile. It sure sounds good!

Have fun and tell us how you do!

[Ginger]

Good morning everyone

I prepared Matt's Big matt today. I don't have a juicer to homogenize (sp?). So I just processed the nuts in my food processor. It seemed awfully wet. I cut back on the Namu Shoyu (watered it down so it was still 1 cup of liquid) and garlic.

What does homogenizing do to nuts? Will I have the same result by processing? I think I'll have to cut his recipes in half. I have 11 patties. Does anyone know if they are freezable after dehydrating?

My onion bread was good, but I had to dehydrate alot longer than he said in the recipe (10 hours more). It's still soft though.

[mtmouse]

Ginger,

I'm sure they will be freezable. I haven't made Big Matts, but I freeze my veggie burgers all the time.

The only difference between nuts in the food processor and nuts in the Vitamix or Champion is the texture--the latter are smoother. But I did nuts in my food processor for a long time before getting the VM.

If your mixture seems too wet, it's just a matter of adding more of the dry stuff now (if it won't hold a shape), or using less liquid next time, or drying them longer. No biggie.

I pay no attention to the drying times indicated in a recipe. I simply dry anything I make until it's the texture I want it. You can always eat it as soon as you're willing to (with a spoon if necessary, LOL), or you can wait for stiff, hard, crispy, whatever.

I'm sure they'll be delish!

[Japonica]

mtmouse - Thanks for the advice - "easing in" sounds a lot more reasonable!:D

res - Yes about the food combining. it sort of makes sense, but I know what you mean about "early man" - i am sure he (she) ate whatever they could scrounge!:D

[Res]

What about "marinating" the eggplant in lemon juice, olive oil and herbs? I have no idea how it would turn out (for some reason I'm seeing abalone in my head when I think of this) but it could be interesting. I don't even know if Eggplant marinates... :o

Nance: Yup, "deeper than surface stuff". Please don't feel like you're alone. We may not know details, but one or more of us has gone through similar things and we know how you feel. Keep breathing and take baby steps. *hug*

Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! :D :D

So Missy, how's the Almond Butter? ;)

"Big Matts?" hahahahahahahaha :D

All right you guys!! Now I'm going to have to cave in and buy Matt's book - it's the last one of the Top 3 I think. :p

Love,
~Res

[mtmouse]

Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! Kathy has a Vitamix! :D :D

So Missy, how's the Almond Butter? ;)


Just fab! :D :D :D :D I've actually made it twice and need to again. I do add walnut oil to it (and salt). I think I probably use my Vitamix an [U]average[U] of 5 times a day. Maybe even more. I'm smitten!

But you definitely want to get that book! I had a guest here all week who wanted to eat raw, so we did! One night I made the mock tuna salad with mustard dressing (from Matt) that someone here mentioned. We found the mock tuna certainly acceptable, but not necessarily at the top of our list of "tuna" substitutes. But that dressing! Oh man! I made the mock tuna again just to go with the leftovers. And tomorrow I'm going to have it on some veggie burgers I found in the freezer.

I was notified today that Amazon has shipped my last order, which included agave and Ani Phyo's book. So brace yourselves and hide your wallet! I suspect this one is also going to become a classic. :) I can't wait to look through it.

(And my guest is probably going to buy a Vitamix, too! LOLOL!)

[Res]

Well if the world is going to be infected by RAW I say "what a way to go!". Keep converting! :)

So have you tried Cornbleet's toona? It's my favorite. And Mustard dressing? Mmm mmm mmm :)

Is Ani Phyo the Nori roll person?

Yay!! Agave! Mine arrived a few weeks ago so I'm good to go for a while. I just love the stuff and recently told my brother about it because his wife is diabetic. Also I found more indepth info on agave a few days ago and recipes too! Keep in mind they're not all raw. Agave Nectar Recipes (http://www.blueagavenectar.com/agavenectarrecipes.html)

Love,
~Res

[mtmouse]

Yes, I've tried Cornbleet's. I put it on a par with Matt's, but I actually prefer toona most of the time. But variety is good!, and the mustard sauce wouldn't go with toona.

Yep, Ani Phyo is the nori roll person, and she's got several short videos of how to prepare stuff on her site, http://www.aniphyo.com/. Everything I've tried of hers is fabulous.

Yay for agave!

[milo]

Hi Mtmouse,

I just went to Ani Phyo website, thanks, I love it. It is always nice to see a video of how things are made. Let us know how her cook book is. Thanks for the tip.

Milo

[Res]

I would love to have her Food Processor! The first time I saw her make the middle of the Nori Rolls I knew I'd have to have that thing sometime in the future.

We're all going to go bankrupt I tell you! ;)

Edit: Ooh that red beet salad looks amazing! One thing I don't have is the Mandolin and that's only because I'm afraid of losing a finger or two. However couldn't you stab the veggie with a fork and use IT to move back and forth across the blade?

[mtmouse]

I do the nori rolls in the VM (I used to use my food processor) and they work out fine.

I think the fork idea is a good one, and I'll try it next time I want to julienne something. The mandoline comes with a pusher with little teeth on it, but it won't push anything smaller than about 3/8" so it's frustrating. The fork might not work, though, because you really do have to push hard with the mandoline (at least my cheap one), and that's also what makes it so dangerous.

I've made Cornbleet's shaved beet salad, and it's scrumptious! I do that with the slicer setting on my spiralizer (as opposed to the angel hair setting). I made it for my guest last week and she was quite impressed (as am I, every time, LOL).

[charlottebird]

Hi Gang!

It's the height of summer and I am thinking, RAW, RAW! more often than not.

I've been eating 50 - 60 % raw thus far but really need to give myself a challenge. So, for August I am committing to 80% Raw every day for that month.

Last night went out for dinner with friends and I had a cooked meal (fish and veggies). It came with a cream mustard sauce and about 2 hours later my stomach was bloated (dairy) and gurgling all through the theatre performance we attended! I was still bloated when I got home and very crampy, too.

This morning my face looked like death. It was very evident that 'dead' foods equal 'dead' skin (oh, yeah, and drinking alcohol doesn't help either!). Plus, dark circles under the eyes, pimples. It is just not worth it!

After my Raw August month, I will do another MC in September and then aim for 95% raw. Yippee!

Oh, just ordered Alissa Cohen's book and DVD. :D Thanks for posting the Ani site. She's amazing!!

[Japonica]

It is 5:17pm, and I have so far had a total raw day (except for the hot lemon/water I have in the AM which is how I quit blk tea+ 1/2+ 1/2 habit!).
Dinner is coming, and I will eat a salad, while my husband eats leftover Fettuccine Alfredo! That's so wrong of him to do in front of me! But I will be strong!:mad:

I bought the "Matt" book and several of the soups look really good to me, but I have one question: A lot of the recipes call for a great deal of nuts. i love nuts, but i get a stomach ache if i eat more than a handful. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem? Also, I was curious about the nut milks. It seems that you really only get the "essence" of the nuts, since you strain them out. Does anyone know about this? Also, can you substitute coconut milk for the other nut milks? Thanks in advance!

[mtmouse]

Hi Japonica,

If you only heat your water, and not your lemon, I think that qualifies as raw! :)

I never strain my nut milks any more. I want more than the "essence" and I never managed to use the strained parts, so I started leaving them in. Works fine!

You should be able to substitute any nut milk (including coconut) for any other. Just to your taste.

As for intolerance to the nuts, this may be something which improves with more focus on raw. I can't say for sure, because I don't have the problem. You can always alter the recipes to have fewer nuts, though. In some of them it'll change the texture, but for most of them it probably won't matter at all, and on raw you don't have any "failures"--you can eat anything you make!

[Nance]

Whoa! What a happy wave of raw mail! A few weeks ago it was pretty quiet around here and now I can hardly keep up . . . very nice! :p

Thank you all for your good thoughts and little one liners of encouragement . . . I know you have been through a few things, cuz they do not come across as trite cliches, but really reach my heart. ;)

The eggplant is still round and purple and pretty . . . I have a project at work that is like birthing a baby . . . it will be over in a few days them I can settle back in.

After my first month past the MC I am settling in to about 80% raw. I can up that to 90% easily if I plan better and keep it 95+ if I set my mind AND have a plan before I go to social gatherings.8)

I had a friend's power bar today and it had whey in it. :eek: That stuff messes me up.

Woo Hoo! the co-op order came today! Macadamia, walnuts, sunflower seeds, a garlic press, etc . . . :) Now I have some ingredients to really to something with!

Blessings all!

[mtmouse]

My Ani Phyo uncookbook arrived today!

I haven't only had time to glance at it, but one of the first things that jumped out at me is yet another gadget to get: a julienne peeler! It looks like you can pull it down something like a carrot or zucchini and get long julienne strips. I MUST have one! :D

The book is a bit fussier-looking than some of the others, with lots of information, so it's not quite as easy to read. But I can tell already that her tastes are really different from our other gurus here--so there will be lots to try!

Yum.

[RawNewbie]

Hello!
I am new to being a Raw Foody, and I am in the process of converting my husband and daughter as well. (Daughter is easier, she's 3. He's a deer hunter)

Anyway-
What books do you recommend, and where should I start? I am intrigued by the 30 day challenge, and I plan on getting on it as soon as moving is done next week.

What are the essential gadgets I should have on hand to do this?

[Japonica]

A funny thing happened to me last night. I was dreading my husband coming home and heating up the fettuccine alfredo in front of me, but it didn't even affect me! I thought it looked gross! :confused: In fact I was going to make a salad, and I discovered I was not hungry at all! Which was really weird because all I had all day was a small fruit salad w/ground flaxseeds after walking 7 miles!!! And that was my first fully raw day! Is this normal to completely lose your appetite so quickly? I did finally eat another fruit salad today at noon and ate about 3/4 of it.

[mtmouse]

Hello!
I am new to being a Raw Foody, and I am in the process of converting my husband and daughter as well. (Daughter is easier, she's 3. He's a deer hunter)

Anyway-
What books do you recommend, and where should I start? I am intrigued by the 30 day challenge, and I plan on getting on it as soon as moving is done next week.

What are the essential gadgets I should have on hand to do this?

Hi RawNewbie!

I suggest you read through this entire thread from the beginning. It won't take as long as it seems. We've all been right where you are, and we discussed it all here! :)

[mtmouse]

A funny thing happened to me last night. I was dreading my husband coming home and heating up the fettuccine alfredo in front of me, but it didn't even affect me! I thought it looked gross! :confused: In fact I was going to make a salad, and I discovered I was not hungry at all! Which was really weird because all I had all day was a small fruit salad w/ground flaxseeds after walking 7 miles!!! And that was my first fully raw day! Is this normal to completely lose your appetite so quickly? I did finally eat another fruit salad today at noon and ate about 3/4 of it.

Japonica,

One of the tenets of eating raw is not to measure or weigh our food, to eat what we want when we're hungry, as long as it's raw, and to stop when we're full. Sounds like you're off to a great start!

While I can't say I've ever lost my appetite (:D), I totally hear you about the fettuccine alfredo! I used to guzzle that high-grain, high-goo stuff until I was completely stuffed and never got enough. Now when I see a plate of it, there's no pull whatsoever. It isn't aversion, but it's definitely not attraction. Feels great!

When you get hungry again, eat again. Otherwise, enjoy all your free time! :D :D

[alicein1land]

Hello everyone, I have spent the last several days reading the "One Month RAW challenge" postings" and have decided to forge ahead. Today is my first post-cleanse day (1st MC 10 days) and I feel like I should give raw a try. It's the best time of the year for it, as there are so many fresh and wonderful fruits and veggies now! I've checked out some of the recipes and most of them sound fabulous.

Equipmentwise, I have a blender w/ a small food processor attachment (small amounts only) and a Champion juicer that I bought 10 years ago when I was juice fasting/macrobiotic. Fell off that wagon 8 years ago back into the SAD and have paid for it w/ hypertension and obesity and borderline DM. Lost 17 lbs on the MC, have started a walking program, and now need to complete it w/ a good healthy eating plan (no coffee, processed crap, sugar, etc). Haven't had meat, dairy, coffee, or sugar in over a month since I started prepping for the MC! :) Funny thing is, I don't really miss it at this point! :D

I have ordered some books - Alyssa Cohen, Cornbleet, 12 Steps to Raw Foods - plus a Cuisinart food processor. I figure that will come in handy and Amazon had the 11-cup one for $155. I also have a Miu mandoline that I like a lot! (laughing at the ongoing debate over mandolines!).

Thanks for letting me share and I hope to continue getting great tips/advice from such a fantastic group! :D

[mtmouse]

I also have a Miu mandoline that I like a lot! (laughing at the ongoing debate over mandolines!).

Yes, but do you still have all your fingers?

Hee!

[alicein1land]

Yes! LOL :D
I had a really cheap one that didn't have a hand/finger guard and I cut myself several times with it. :)

[mtmouse]

Ack!

When I first tried chocolate nibs, I didn't like them at all. Felt like I was going to break a tooth!

But they grew on me, and sometimes I would crush them or put them in the VM, and sometimes I would just chomp them.

Well, tonight I did break a tooth on them! :( It was a porcelain crown. I'd had all my mercury amalgam replaced several years ago and it was part of that replacement. After about four years a little spot on the top of the tooth began wearing away, and it had continued to do so over another perhaps 2-4 years. I was just at the dentist last month and asked whether the wearing-away was a problem other than cosmetics (it was a little rough on the edges), but they told me no.

Well, it's a problem now. :( Guess I'll be talking to them in the morning (I left a message after hours) and we'll go from there. But of course, now I hope they won't put chocolate nibs on the blacklist! It's NOT popcorn, after all! :D

[alicein1land]

Kathy: Sorry to hear about your tooth! :( I saw chocolate nibs in the bulk section of Berkeley Bowl (a co-op that has a lot of natural food and local produce) and debated about getting some! Decided to wait as I didn't have a use for them yet and didn't want to sabotage my post-cleanse juicing! :D

[charlottebird]

Hi Gang,

Today is my first official day of my August RAW challenge. :D

I am aiming for 75-85% RAW every day this month. Tonight I have plans for dinner and drinks with friends so I will stick to raw as best I can but don't think my 1 martini is going to count unless I choose the fresh juiced mango martini! :p

So far today I've had:

Green smoothie: 1 fresh mango, 1/4 c. fresh pineapple, 1 cup fresh spinach, sea vegetables, water - TOTAL YUMMM!!!:D

Now having green tea (I know - not considered raw) and snacking on fresh blueberries & raw pumpkin seeds

I agree with all of you who say that you don't need to measure portions. I find I really DO stop eating when I am full. AND, I don't require a lot of food to fill me up. What a contrast from my refined carb days when I felt hungry all the time even though I was intaking a lot of calories (all empty of course!)

Here are a couple of good quotes for you:

"When you take care of the quality of food, the quantity takes care of itself." ~ Marilu Henner

"Sugar: A little is too much and a lot is never enough"~ Me!

Have a SUPER RAW day!!!!:D

[babsgoesraw]

Hi Charlottebird-
Thanks for your post. You've encouraged me big time. Today is my last day of my 10 day MC and I feel great. I'm almost sad to see this very easy way of life go. I mean, seriously - not worrying about my next meal.....it's in the jug! I don't plan on "worrying" about anything anymore when I transition to raw foods. I'm on the fence about going 100% or not. Because this challenge is for a month, it makes sense to go ALL OUT 100%. Geez, just to see what it would feel like. If I were going to have even one martini (which are my favorite!!) I feel as if I'd throw in the towel. That's my inheritant personality- "all er nuttin". But that attitude has kept me from succeeding, because it's bouncing back from little "mistakes", and continuing on anyway that will determine whether I'm successful or not. It's compassion for oneself that is key. We wouldn't beat someone up (so to speak) for slipping up on something that they wanted to succeed in....no, we'd encourage them and send them on their way to keep going IN LOVE. So, anyway....thank you for your post and I'll check in and see how you're doing~~
Smile )
Babs

[charlottebird]

Hi Babs:

Congrats on completing the 10 day MC! I remember how you feel. I was very happy to keep on the MC (the ease, the lack of cravings, the 'lean' look and feel) but I didn't want to keep going beyond 10 days for my first try and then resent it.

I wanted to transition to 100% raw but I think it was unrealistic for me at the time (June). I am just getting to the point where I can figure out what to make raw, how to coordinate soaking & dehydrating foods while enabling a lot of variety.


Like you, I have (or, had) an "all of nothing' approach to life which is hard to live up to. The perfectionism adds so much unneeded stress. Why do we do this to ourselves? For the past 8 years I have been learning to be more gentle with myself. The new motto is "Progress, not perfection." It forgives mistakes (where the true learning comes from) and allows us to experience the journey, rather than critique it.

My plan after August is to do another MC (maybe 15-21 days) and then back to 90% + raw diet.

This has been a really learning journey for the past 3 months. I've always considered myself fairly healthy but the raw transition takes a bit more knowledge. I love learning so I am happy to soak up everything new AND it's all good for my ming and body.;)

I just received my Alissa Cohen DVD and (un)cookbook. Holy Moley that book is heavy! It must weigh 8 lbs!!!:eek:

The best to you! I look forward to hearing about your transition. This BB is amazing! The Rawbies here are SO supportive. What a family!:D

[alicein1land]

charlottebird and babsgoraw: I am also going raw as soon as I finish my post cleanse (Day 3 post cleanse tomorrow). I've been reading through the recipes, ordered some of the recommended books (Cohen and Cornbleet), and am ready to try some of the posted recipes. I do not have a dehydrator or VitaMix but do have a pretty powerful blender, so I should be able to make the nut butters and pates. I'm looking forward to making a meaningful change in my lifestyle! :D

[charlottebird]

Hi Ann ~

How exciting, isn't it? I'll look forward to hearing from you!

I used my dehydrator only once so far (made raw pizza crust - yumm!). It certainly wasn't a necessary component from the outset since it's been gathering dust on my counter for 6 weeks until yesterday. :rolleyes:

I faired well yesterday at the martini bar and had a fresh mango/watermelon martini and then some salad and shrimp. So, all in all I ended up about 80% raw for the day.

Today I had:

Green smoothie: frozen raspberries/banana, fresh spinach, 1 tsp ground flaxseed, 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar, water

2 fresh apricots
spinach salad with cukes, tomato, carrots & red pepper.

My body is :D

[babsgoesraw]

Hello Ann-
Like you, I don't have those 2 pieces of equipment yet either. I'd really like to succeed without them first. I've bought many-a-piece of kitchen appliance/gadget, only to watch it NOT be used. I bought a pressure cooker 6 months ago and have never ever used it.....EBAY!!!
I think< STRIKE THAT- I know that this time it's different. The idea of RAW just resonates with me, almost spiritually.
Well I'm glad to see that you, Ann and Charlottebird are my buds on this new journey. If you make anything that's outta-this-world good...please share the recipe. I'm ready for some more of my OJ/Grapefruit juice (1st day post cleanse) & feelin' good! My body is :) too
Babs

[alicein1land]

Hi Babs and charlottebird: It will be great to have some people to "go raw with", as it seems the main group finished several weeks ago. I can hardly wait to try some of the recipes I have found here as well as other places online, plus from the books I have ordered. :)

I decided to give myself an early birthday present! I bought a dehydrator. :D I've seen so many great recipes that require them that I want to try. I bought it online at http://www.livefoodcuisine.com/ - it was $20 cheaper than Amazon.

My 3rd day post cleanse - I had my final glass of OJ this morning, soup for lunch, and salad/fruit for dinner tonight! I am so happy! I have a really nice head of butter lettuce, some fabulous heirloom tomatoes and fresh avocados! Yum! :D

On another note, if anyone had told me before I did the MC that I could get through a day on just OJ/grapefruit juice or OJ and vegetable broth, I would have laughed hysterically! But I have had only minor hunger pains around the time when I am due for another glass of juice or some broth! No problem! :D

[mtmouse]

Sorry for your troubles, Res,

My tooth is fine. I went in yesterday morning and they said the crown was intact and it was just the porcelain cover that broken off. And a little hole in that had been widening for some years now, so I knew something was going on anyway.

At any rate, all they did was file it smooth and send me on my way (and they didn't even charge me!). They said replacing the porcelain would be cosmetic only and would require replacing the whole crown ($1000). I don't think so, LOL.

They did warn me that, since part had broken off, I might expect that more would break off later. I suspected as much. But I didn't suspect it would happen today! LOL. I was eating macadamia nuts, which aren't exactly like a cacao nib. I think I'll wait for a while and let all the breaking go on for a while before I get it smoothed down again. In the end I suspect I'll just end up with one metal tooth. It's a back molar, and I'm not vain enough to care! :p

[Res]

Glad to hear it turned out well. Those porcelain crowns are very costly. :)

Love,
~Res

[alicein1land]

Kathy, I'm glad your tooth situation worked out well.

OK, Day 1 going raw. I've lost 3 more lbs since ending the MC. :D BP this morning was so low I am afraid to take my medicine! It was 100/50. I see my Dr today to get my lab results. It will be interesting to see what my BP is in the office. :)

Had guacamole lettuce wraps last night - 4 lettuce leaves, 1/2 tomato chopped w/ 1 small avocado, some chopped onion, & minced garlic. It was heavenly, but unfortunately I ended up w/ a stomach ache. It wasn't much food compared to what I used to eat but it was a lot more than I have been eating the past 2 weeks. :)