The One Month RAW Challenge

[Res]

I just got back from the local health food store. It was so much fun and this week the groceries are a bit different (except for loading up on flax, almonds, raisins). Oh and I finally found RAW Macadamia nuts!

Question for the guru's though; Kathy you said you use Sprouted Buckwheat for the pizza dough? Well, all I could find was Buckwheat groats - will that work? Remember I have barely a clue as to what I'm doing.

And a heart-felt "Thank you" to everyone who chimed in on my gas/bloating/feeling like crap demise. It took an amazing half a day for the swf to kick in and even then it wasn't what I was hoping for. I do feel better and the bloating and gas seem to have diminished. I did up my probiotics and I wonder if that's what helped? I'll never know for sure because I started eating "lightly" too. Oh well.

So I have to put the groceries away and then I'm going to post a Raw Spinch Soup recipe in the recipe box (if it isn't already there) and an AVOCADO SMOOTHIE recipe which looks really good.

Oooh, Cohen's book should be here soon.

Love to all,
~Res

[Sim]

Hi all~
Every single time I'm away for 24 hours (or more) and I come back, I'm reminded how much I love you all.

Res~Since I just got here and wanted to write you all, I haven't read the articles yet, but I will. But even without reading the articles, I want to echo Peanutterb: cooked food is not the answer.

And I'm going to go even further for everyone's sake and say this: not every ailment, ache, emotional rollercoaster we have is due to de-tox or Raw food transition. I know, I know...we want to believe that any physical or emotional spike, either upward or down, has to do with our nutritional nourishment and our heroic efforts to rid ourselves of toxins. We want to believe that since we are now taking excellent care of ourselves and what we eat, that since we are making such effort to eat Raw, which goes against everything we're accustomed to, that since we've bought all our contraptions and are spending time soaking, chopping, dehydrating...that all of that will insulate us from every ailment on the planet. I'm sorry, friends. Not so. Oh...it helps!!! If we didn't believe what we've read, we wouldn't attempt to do away with our lifelong favorites in favor of "substitute" chocolate sauces or raw pasta instead of the real thing. We're thinking we will never again have a cold or the flu, sinus problems or allergies. We read all the stories about arthritis being cured, eczema being cured...heck, Dr. Gabriel Cousens claims he has an 80% success rate in curing schizophrenics when he puts them on a Raw diet at the Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in Arizona!! Frankly, I don't know whether I believe that. I'm not being negative; I do believe that what we eat has incredible influence on our thoughts and actions in addition to its influence on our health. But an 80% cure rate? Wouldn't every psychiatric facility in the world put schizophrenics on a Raw diet first, before giving debilitating medications, to see if Raw were truly able to "cure" schizophrenia? I guess what I'm trying to say is that Raw is fabulous, but may not be able to ward off every single ailment we might experience, nor will it cause every single ailment we might experience. Sometimes our bodies just get sick from a germ, a bacteria, a virus and even though we might be healthier by eating Raw, certain strains of those things might just be a tad too powerful for our bodies to resist on any certain day.
So Res, I'm so sorry you, of all people, feel so sick, because you are so sincere in everything you do and say AND you have a wicked sense of humor to boot! I'm sending you good, white healing light thoughts so you get better soon. Oh! And while you're feeling bloated, don't have any tamari, shoyu, Bragg's...if you need some salt, use a little Celtic mixed with water.

Ginger~ Thanks! I never know whether I'm being annoying or not when I write long posts. I give you all permission to scroll right through me if you think I'm horrible and pontificating! By the way, I don't think our bodies "build up enzymes" at all. Supposedly, we are born with a certain amount of enzymes or enzyme-producing capacity. When those enzymes are used up or are getting used up, we age, our organs physically age, from being overburdened. The reason we eat raw is because our bodies don't have to manufacture or use up our own enzymes to digest cooked food because the raw food has its own enzymes. Therefore our bodies, instead of using up energy on manufacturing enzymes, can use our own energies to do other work, like produce hormones, have good circulation, kidney and liver function, etc. I am such a Raw food geek!

I have just GOT to get a Vitamix!!! I'm so tired of stopping my blender to scrape down ingredients and/or adding water!!!

TeePee~ You have more energy to experiment with recipes that anyone I know! You are my hero!!!!

A question: have you all tried making sushi rolls? I would not believe how filling they were if someone told me, but I guarantee that if you try them, ONE ROLL is enough! Take a sheet of raw nori, lay it shiny side down on the counter. Put a DRY collard or romaine leaf on it, near the edge closest to you. (There are lines in the nori; have the lines in a vertical position). On top of the leaf, put some kind of paté: Not Tuna, Sunny Paté, Mac or Cashew Cream, any kind. Then put a strip of carrot, red pepper, daikon, cucumber, mushrooms, apple slices, avocado, sprouts or any combination of those. If the collard is large, fold up the far side of the collard over the veggies. If you used Romaine and it's not big enough, put another Romaine leaf on top of the veggies, then roll it all up. The reason you want the veggies covered is because you don't want the nori to get wet because it will get soggy. Okay, before you get to the very end of rolling, with your fingertip and some water, wet the far end then finish rolling. This will hold the nori in place. The roll should be tight, like a cigar. Cut the roll into ½-3/4 inch pieces and you will see a beautiful sight! If you like, you can use some wheat-free Tamari for dipping. I usually don't because the flavor is so good, I don't want to taste salt, just veggies. And don't be fooled: the apple is delicious with those veggies!

Have fun, everyone. Make it a beautiful day...and for you, Res, I hope your day just feels better, even if it doesn't feel beautiful yet!

[TeePee]

Sim --You Are Amazing And You Rock!!!

[mtmouse]

Sim,

I have just GOT to get a Vitamix!!! I'm so tired of stopping my blender to scrape down ingredients and/or adding water!!!

WHAT!!!!! I don't have to scrape down a Vita-Mix? Are you serious?

[Ginger]

Once in a while I might need to scrape, but not often. And sometimes with the thicker ingredients, I have a tough time getting it all out. But, it's so easy to clean. Just fill with water and a dropor two of dishwasher liquid. Let it run and it's clean.

[mtmouse]

Question for the guru's though; Kathy you said you use Sprouted Buckwheat for the pizza dough? Well, all I could find was Buckwheat groats - will that work? Remember I have barely a clue as to what I'm doing.

Sorry, I almost let this one slip through the cracks.

Yup, buckwheat groats are exactly what you want to use for sprouting. They sprout fast, too. Soak for 4-6 hours, then sprout for a day or so, until little tails start to show.

But I don't like buckwheat for my pizza dough; too fragile. I much prefer sprouted wheat for that. Takes a few more days for the sprouting, though.

[Res]

Haha, Sim I agree: If I stub my toe I can't blame it on detox. lol However when something out of the ordinary happens like this, and the only thing I'm doing different is completely changing my eating habits, it *could* be detox. Most likely my body is wondering what's going on.

Toning things down food-wise has been VERY nice and I really do hate to focus on weight loss so I won't - but I will mention that a pair of pants that were tight last week are no longer tight. And something even BETTER - my face (I know it's only been 3 weeks but...) looks "younger". And for me to notice is a big deal. And for the most part - I feel good now.

I hope everyone is doing well!

Kathy, not sure where I posted or if you responded but are "Buckwheat groats" okay to sprout for the pizza? Anyone?

Love,
~Res

Back to work!

[mtmouse]

Hi Res,

Yes, I finally remembered that question and answered it above.

[peanutterb]

today's my first day raw. (well technically yesterday was but whatever) just stopping in to say hi.

hi.

[mtmouse]

Welcome, peanut!

Lotsa good eatin' going on here! Jump on in!