Hi! Serious newbie and excited about the journey... - Raw Food Chat

BttrflyFairytale · 03-28-2008

Hello everyone!

I heard Carol Alt on the radio the other day and she was talking about the health problems she had before she started eating raw and I thought 'My gosh, she sounds like me!' so I'm thinking that this is something I need to implement into my diet.

I know there are people who eat 90-100% raw, but I think that to begin I'd like to get at least 40% in this transitional period. I've been reading some of the posts for how to get started, and you all make it sound so much easier than I thought it would be.

Also, I'm wondering if you would suggest trying out 'The Box' from RAWvolution? I thought it might be a good option to get a sense of the flavors and food options without stressing myself out trying to prepare it all myself so quickly, and sticking to salad and eating vegetables on my own at first. What do you think?

Excited to get to know you all!
JS

Double Helix · 03-28-2008

Hi & Welcome!

I suggest just eating whatever looks good to you. Go to the grocery store hungry and shop the produce section. See what calls out to you.

My suggestion is to keep your counters and fridge chock full of tons of fruit and greens. Have some raw nuts and seeds on hand for big cravings.

All the best to you!

Doktormartini · 03-29-2008

Basically what I do is go to the grocery store and just start popping greens and fruits in my cart. Then again, I really don't have to worry about money yet but yeah.

BttrflyFairytale · 03-29-2008

Thanks for the advice!!

I'm planning on loading up when I go grocery shopping on Monday. I picked up a copy of "Living Cuisine" by Renee Loux Underkoffler, so I've been reading a little of that and trying to figure out some easy recipes to try, too.

I'm already thinking ahead...I go to Budapest for work from the 18-27, so I'm wondering what kind of options I'll have there. I'm sure they'll have salads, but in terms of the food style, it's quite different from here.

JS

jroo · 03-29-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by BttrflyFairytale

I go to Budapest for work from the 18-27, so I'm wondering what kind of options I'll have there. I'm sure they'll have salads, but in terms of the food style, it's quite different from here.

I'm sure they have grocery stores or markets. Figure out what stuff will keep in your hotel room without a fridge, and stock up on it.

There are a couple recent posts about traveling raw here and here.

BttrflyFairytale · 03-30-2008

Excellent! It looks like Budapest has several markets I could go to and a few restaurants.

I've still been doing a lot of reading, and I have to ask- are any of you 100% raw? It seems like it would be really difficult (and expensive) to do that. What percentage do you think you need to achieve in order to see a huge benefit? I keep hearing 80% is a good number. I mentioned to my personal trainer that I'm investigating going raw and his main concern was getting enough calories and restorative foods after extremely intense workouts.. I am sure there are plenty of raw things I could eat post-workout, I just am not sure if that's an issue I should tackle right away, but I'm also wondering what those of you who exercise regularly (and rather intensely) eat for your pre- and post-workout meals?

Double Helix · 03-31-2008

I have bouts of all raw feel great during that time. I cook for my family so I deal with a lot of food challenges. I've been a veggie and on and off raw for many years though.

RawFoodGrl · 04-02-2008

I noticed a change at 50% raw, and the more I do it the more I feel great!

In terms of exercise and working out, I recently met some athletes who are 100% raw and in fact made a DVD about it. And they were, well, let's just say - WOW!

Their movie is called "Vegan Fitness Built Naturally" and their website is http://www.veganbodybuilding.com.