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Thread: Im giving it a go

  1. #1
    veganvoo's Avatar
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    Default Im giving it a go

    Last year I bought Raw Knowledge by Paul Nison and considered going raw. What put me off was a guy I know who stated that the raw diet is really not good for you as the gut has to work too hard and this can trigger many ailments. He is an acupuncture and herbal medicine specialist and has trained all over the world so in my book someone who knows about health.
    However, I'm now ready to take the gamble as at 37 I'm getting the middle aged spread. I weigh 14 stone and I'm 5ft 10 and although vegan do enjoy my beer, Id class myself as over weight.
    The plan is to cut out beer and slowly adopt raw foods into my life. This weekend I finished my last lager and made some raw dips and salads which I really enjoyed. I did have a cooked supper but this morning had a smoothie for breakfast and salad for lunch.

    If anyone has any simple dinner ideas I can start with that would be a huge help but remember I don't yet have all the correct gear, only a hand blender and food processor. I'm now going to order a few cookbooks that have been recommended on herelol

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    Boodler pusskins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Good for you! My partner and I are aiming to go quite raw in the future. Not 100%. However I do think it will be beneficial for both of us. I'll be interested to see how you go. Maybe keep an online blog?
    "You're right, Jackie. The Fonz could beat up Bruce Lee."

  3. #3
    veganvoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    If we all go raw in Norwich we'll have to scrap the loving hut meet-up! I was hoping to bump into some forum users on Saturday as all this online business is ok but I do like talking. Maybe we could all say hi at easter eh! good excuse to eat more cake.....hmmm....

  4. #4

    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Are you going to do High-Fat Raw or Low-Fat Raw?

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    Boodler pusskins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Quote veganvoo View Post
    If we all go raw in Norwich we'll have to scrap the loving hut meet-up! I was hoping to bump into some forum users on Saturday as all this online business is ok but I do like talking. Maybe we could all say hi at easter eh! good excuse to eat more cake.....hmmm....
    Ha ha! 'Loving Hut Norwich takings drop dramatically' will be the headline, if they publish a newsletter or something. "We used to go through at least 280 boxes of spring rolls a week. Now, it's only 52. Where is the girl who used to stand here waiting for us to bring out more?"

    Easter meet-up would be cool, especially as it's around my birthday and I've taken the week off before the weekend Good times.

    SO I haven't given you any dinner ideas, but how are things going for you, raw-wise?
    "You're right, Jackie. The Fonz could beat up Bruce Lee."

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    veganvoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I haven't thought of high or low fat. The way I'm going to work it is ask myself each day what it is I need and change accordingly. By asking myself I hope my "self" will guide me through the many pitfalls of starting such a diet. I'm also going to make the transitsion very slowly. So far pusskins I've swapped my morning toast for fruit smoothies with the addition of super blue green algae and luchtime sandwiches replaced with a salad which Ive changed every day but has inc shredded beets, lots of sprouts, shredded carrots, walnuts, avocados, raw hummus and a little cooked brown rice or couscous. In the evening I've still had a cooked meal as I've a wife and kids to feed but this will change next week when I start to introduce more raw and start swapping item for item until the transisition is complete. I've also started eating alot more fruit and have at least three items a day plus maybe a friut salad. As well as the algae Im also taking iodine but this has more to do with the events in Japan, the ever encrouching radiation and the supposed coverup of its strengh. Also worth mentioning, Ive cut down the portion size of the cooked meal, Im eating way less!

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    Vegan-bellydancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Quote veganvoo View Post
    I haven't thought of high or low fat. The way I'm going to work it is ask myself each day what it is I need and change accordingly. By asking myself I hope my "self" will guide me through the many pitfalls of starting such a diet. I'm also going to make the transitsion very slowly. So far pusskins I've swapped my morning toast for fruit smoothies with the addition of super blue green algae and luchtime sandwiches replaced with a salad which Ive changed every day but has inc shredded beets, lots of sprouts, shredded carrots, walnuts, avocados, raw hummus and a little cooked brown rice or couscous. In the evening I've still had a cooked meal as I've a wife and kids to feed but this will change next week when I start to introduce more raw and start swapping item for item until the transisition is complete. I've also started eating alot more fruit and have at least three items a day plus maybe a friut salad. As well as the algae Im also taking iodine but this has more to do with the events in Japan, the ever encrouching radiation and the supposed coverup of its strengh. Also worth mentioning, Ive cut down the portion size of the cooked meal, Im eating way less!
    Raw hummus is great. I also love wholegrain mustard mixed with avocardo and lemon juice mushed up as a salad topping or dip.

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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Good luck veganvoo, I'm sure you'll be fine and will reap the benefits of a raw diet.

    Im planning on doing a Raw 24 (go raw for 24 hours) once a week, but that is still in the future...

  9. #9
    JC
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Good call on the transitioning slowly, Veganvoo. I've tried going raw several times in the past few years and i've failed every time from doing it cold turkey. I've been transitioning very slowly since the start of the year, cutting out former staples such as tofu, soya milk and porridge at such a pace that i don't even notice they've gone. For about a month now, i'd consider myself high-raw. I haven't seen any noticeable weight loss as of yet (well, 3lbs if that counts...) but i've been quite heavily dependent on nuts, so i wouldn't expect much anyway. I now understand the term "cooked food hangover", and i notice that i need more sleep if i've eaten cooked food during the day. Now i've got to a bit of a sticking point - there's something missing in my diet, and i don't know what it is, but i've got a craving for something... for wont of a better word, meaty. My daily diet consists of raw porridge (soaked oat groats and banana blended) for breakfast, various salads/greenery for lunch and dinner and lots of dried fruit and nuts in between, which i'm trying to cut back on. Has anyone got any thoughts on how to satisfy the meat craving?? I guess it must be... lean protein my body wants??

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    Vegan-bellydancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I find the nearest thing to a meaty texture is mushrooms marinaded in tamari, lemon and red onion (leave in fridge a couple of hours)

    Or use some large mushrooms, marinade and stuff with raw guacamole which is even more satisfying!

    Though I have seen some pics of dehydrated mushroom, nut and lentil patties which I might try.

  11. #11
    JC
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Thanks for the tip! I've been eating marinated mushrooms, olives and kale in avocado dressing which really hits the spot.
    How would you go about marinating large mushrooms? Wouldn't you need loads of marinade?

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    Vegan-bellydancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Yes, I drench the mushrooms anyway...not sure if that's a good thing but I much prefer the texture...guess you could add olive oil if you don't mind the extra fat.

    I've got olives, kale and avocardo in so might try as a dressing tonight perhaps with some garlic

    How long have you been raw/high raw JC?

  13. #13
    JC
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Well i've been transitioning since january, by march i was about 50% and for about a month now i'd say i've been about 90%. I don't think i'll ever go 100% though - i like that little margin for if i want to eat out or bake non-raw brownies occasionally. Some things that aren't raw i want to keep in my diet because of their health benefits, such as yeast extract or lecethin granules. What about you vegan-bellydancer?

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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I'm very new to raw 2 - 3 weeks though have been researching raw and vegan for about 2 years so went vegan in March..so very new to the whole vegan/raw experience. I would say I'm roughly 70% raw. I find coffee hard to give up and I crave grilled mushrooms on toast occasionally, otherwise I think I'm doing well. Where do you get Yeast Extract from? I haven't seen it anywhere and would like to make a raw seed/nut cheese and hear yeast extract makes all the difference.

    I also wanted some coconut oil and I'm sure it was around 12 pounds online...which I cannot justify spending with all the fruit and veg I'm buying as well as "normal" foods for my children. Unless it's essential or really makes a difference to raw recipes.

  15. #15
    JC
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I just use Marmite
    Coconut oil is good for raw recipes, especially making raw chocolate, and is supposed to be one of the few oils that helps you lose weight (if that's of concern to you). I use a brand called biona. For a small jar (about 300ml i think) it cost me about £3 from my health food shop. Again, why not try asking your local to get it in for you if they don't already stock it? If you're a loyal customer, they'll probably want to keep you happy!
    For giving up coffee, why don't you try switching to a healthier alternative such as barleycup for a while and slowly transition away?

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    veganvoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I prefer Natex, its lower in salt and in my opinion far tastier. I also love mushrooms and the ideas above sound great! I've now started sprouting everything and love the freshness and goodness they provide. In fact I'm so "into" sprouting I can see myself buying lots of sprouters by the end of summer and filling up every window!

  17. #17
    JC
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Yes, i need to stop being so cheap and invest in some Natex!
    Sprouting is great isn't it?! I'm sprouting some chickpeas as we speak, and i'm going to give raw hummus a go. Although i need something to replace the tahini - it just tastes plain nasty. Maybe sunflower seeds blended would work instead?

  18. #18
    Vegan-bellydancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Here is a tahini free recipe

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gg2rianeNj8

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    Vegan-bellydancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I will hunt down that biona and try your suggestion of Barleycup. Thanks

    Haven't done any sprouting yet but it's on my list!

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    veganvoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I havent had Barleycup for a few years now but I think it was ok. I also need to give up the coffee and in April did have a week without it. After the second day I got a really crappy headache that lasted for three days but then subsided. This was also the week I went 80% raw just to test the water. My experience of that week has led me to believe its the way forward for me and I'm now preparing to continue with my journey.

    To make houmous with sunflower seeds sounds great, I'd be interested to hear how you get on. I would have a go myself but alas, no seeds in the cupboard!

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    veganvoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    On Monday 23rd of May I started my raw journey. Being my birthday it was a very symbolic start and I viewed it as my re-birth. The first two days were 100% raw with the intention of remaining 80% raw from then on. From Wednesday onwards all went as planned with the only cooked items eaten being one portion of roast potatoes, two portions of baked sweet potato and a tub of regular hummous. Its now been one week and the effects have been, well..............wow! Ive lost some weight and my bloated face has returned to someone I recognise, Ive had odd feelings in my gut but no pain just the feeling of things changing, I've needed far less sleep and theres been an increase in energy. Its also worth mentioning that I felt more connected to my surroundings but these episodes have only lasted a few minutes.

    This Saturday I'm off to Cambridge to Karen Knowlers raw food day to pick up some more info on what Im really believing is the future and could be all its cracked up to be. Im stunned by the effects and love the food. Im happy!!!!!!

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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Hello Veganvoo,

    take a look at the book 'Eat to live' by Dr. Joel Fuhrman.

    I don't know about all that stone, inch, furlong and halfpenny stuff you island guys are so happy with, but I changed my diet last year and went from weighing 96 kg at 185 cm to (so far) 83 kg (and I did not shrink in the meantime). That was after going vegan a year earlier (after 20 years as vegetarian) and not noticing any difference in my body weight.

    My strategy so far was not so much going raw, but rather avoiding empty calories like pasta, bread, and most important, all kinds of added fat. (I also limit nuts to about an ounce a day, as they are very healthy, but unfortunately rich in fat). That means I eat a lot of fresh fruit and now recently also lots of leafy green vegetables, preferrably raw as salads and green smoothies. So I am now about 70% raw, I'd guess (my wife still cooks great vegetables in the evening, and sometimes I include some cooked vegs to my lunch salad plate).

    Fuhrmans diet is principally based on a simple tenet - the food you should eat should have a high nutrient/calorie ratio. He suggests that as long as you don't get enough nutrients, your body will crave for more. Also, if the food you eat is high in nutrients but low in calories (e.g. raw vegetables, especially leafy greens) then you can eat practically as much of it as you want and still lose weight.

    I had 'reached a plateau' of about 86 kgs some weeks ago, but now, following the suggestions from this book now for 3 weeks (subtle changes: limiting bread / starchy vegetables etc. to 1 serving per day) it seems I can continue the voyage to my dream weight.

    Best regards,
    Andy

  23. #23
    JC
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Quote veganvoo View Post
    This Saturday I'm off to Cambridge to Karen Knowlers raw food day to pick up some more info on what Im really believing is the future and could be all its cracked up to be. Im stunned by the effects and love the food. Im happy!!!!!!
    Kudos to you dude!!! I'd been high raw for ages then i went to a vegan festival yesterday and indulged in all the crap i normally wouldn't. Brownie, burrito, soya chocolate, ROASTED nuts! I felt terrible all evening i woke up feeling the effects of detox. When you wake up in the morning having followed a high-raw diet for a while, you forget that sleep is actually a detox process because on raw you barely feel the effects. Back on track i go... Also, thanks for the tip to try natex, it IS much nicer than marmite!

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    veganvoo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Thanks Andy T, sounds like a good read and makes alot of sense. I've recently read the P H Miracle which recommends you switch to an 80% alkalizing diet for health, energy, stamina and greater clarity of mind. Your weight loss sounds great, you must feel amazing! I'm hoping to loose 2 stone so that would work out at approx 13 kilos. At the present I weigh 89 kilos so my ideal weight would be approx 74 kilos.

    Im glad you like Natex JC, it really is good and makes a great stock for a stew, not that I'll be eating many of those now!

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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    VV,

    that makes sense. I'm not an expert, but from what I think I have read raw greens and alkalizing diet go hand in hand.

    Best regards,
    Andy

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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    I have been thinking about going raw now for some months but all I have incorporated into my diet is green smoothies! I just dont know how to do it without being unhealthy cos all I can think of to eat is raw veg and fruit! Iv googled 'raw' and havent found anything useful so far,also looked on youtube. So if anyone can give me some advice and/or links I would really appreciate it as I really want to try going raw. thanx in advance
    We all love animals. So why do we call some "pets" and others "dinner?" ~k.d. lang

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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Hello Genisis,

    Raw veg and fruit sounds like a good plan to me - what else do you think you need? And why should it be unhealthy?

    Best regards,
    Andy

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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    hi andy. i dont know anything about going raw and asumed that i would need to eat something else other than raw veg and fruit to be healthy.from your comment i gather i must be wrong? plus wouldnt a plate of raw veg and fruit get boring after a bit? i am a bit of a foodie person so need variety and tastes that i like iv seen and tried those nakd bars which say they are raw and i like the taste very much of those, is there more raw foods like them? is there somewhere on line i could get a list of what foods i can and cant eat? i am really interested in going raw, i just dont want to do it and get unhealthy. thankyou
    We all love animals. So why do we call some "pets" and others "dinner?" ~k.d. lang

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    Gwydion's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    Quote genisis View Post
    is there more raw foods like them?
    Dates, nuts of choice, blend n' combine Can even go all wild like and add other ingredients, coconut or something.
    Let the music mend our minds. Let the music bend our minds.

  30. #30
    genisis's Avatar
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    Default Re: Im giving it a go

    thanx gwydion, i will definatly give that a go

    I have just today been accepted on the UK raw food network so im excited,looking forward to learning more
    We all love animals. So why do we call some "pets" and others "dinner?" ~k.d. lang

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