One Month Raw-Why

Well I have reached the one month mark since going RAW. It has been a great experience.
I started this after first going 100% vegetarian in June 07. I then went Vegan in Jan 08. I found out about the RAW lifestyle by joining discussion boards on veganism/veggie boards. I was very inspired by reading the stories of raw foodists, especially those who lost weight.

Now I am not obese, just overweight. I really needed to lose about 40 -45 lbs to be healthy.
I had some health concerns, like tingling in my hands/feet. I was on meds for GERD. I felt achy in my hips. My family history was a BIG factor in my decision to go RAW. My mom has had a triple bypass and mild heart attacks. My dad has poor health as well. I just don't want to go down that road if I can help it.

At this moment I have lost some pounds and inches. No more GERD meds. The tingling is gone-the tingling was corrected by a chirpractor-but the weight loss has helped too! I am still not at my goal weight but I feel amazing. Others around me are starting to notice that I am losing weight.

It's not just about the weight. When I first went vegetarian less than a year ago it was because of information I read about the food industry. I always knew that meats were not the healthiest for us. After reading the book Fast Food Nation and seeing the movie it really started to change my thinking. It's like you know things are unnatural (eating tons of processed foods) but you do it because most of the people around you do. And really, when you make that change you are admitting that what you have been doing all those years was wrong. It's hard for people to admit that.

I have learned that many people are ok with not changing. I remember being so excited about learning about RAW and wanted to share this with those around me. Well I know understand that most people have to find their own way and want to change. All we can do is serve as examples and not judge others. I really don't go around advertising that I'm raw because some people don't 'get it'. They want to tell me about protein, etc. I have researched this and know what I'm doing, so it's better for me to "just do it."

After the first two weeks of RAW I got really sick. I went 100% RAW overnight-I did not go through a transitional period like many new raw foodist do. The doctor said I had the flu-now I know that many people experience a detox period, and it could have been a combination of both. There was a flu virus going around at my workplace. Anyway, after that I decided to slow it down and do 80% raw. I would have my green shakes ( YUM) eat fruits and veggies (organic), and eat vegan at night. I have been doing that for 2 weeks. I have still been losing weight:) and feeling great. So now I want to go back to 100% RAW.

I have Ani Phyo's cookbook-I highly recommend it. Also the website www.goneraw.com is fantastic. There are thousands of recipes and people there are very knowledgable about the raw foods lifestyle. Check out youtube for people who share their raw journeys on video.

I decided to BLOG my journey after reading tons of other peoples blogs. I am the only raw person in my surroundings-so I am sharing my thoughts with cyberspace. - Peace