Trouble staying Raw

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I've visited this group a few times, when I have been trying to go

raw. It never seems to last for long unfortunately. I have a husband

and 2 young children, none of whom are raw. I slip up because I am

cooking food for them and inevitably get tempted back, eg when my

husband brings home pizza or chocolates or sushi. I know how amazing

a raw diet can make me feel and would love to make it a permanant

solution for both myself and my whole family.

 

Until I met my husband he would eat nothing but take out food and

microwave meals. Over 6 years he has progressed to eating the

wholefoods I cook for him, interspersed with not so whole foods that

I also cook when I am depressed and tired. He even eats a main meal

salad every day now. My children were raised on breastmilk and home

cooked organic veg and fruit. Over the years they have developed a

distaste for all vegetables, raw or cooked. SO I have no idea how to

convert them. They will not even eat wholesome food anymore (beans,

brown rice, lentils etc).

 

I swing like a pendulum between all raw and junk. I recently

labelled myself as depressed because I'm so low that nothing seems

worth it anymore. I know that who I truly am is untouchable but I am

so identified with this story of the suffering me that I am

constantly seeking ways out. And I know how raw food can bring so

much clarity to my life/my mind. But how to stick with it when

you're already depressed and unable to cope with the smallest things

in life?

 

I was on a path to raw with renewed vigor 2 weeks ago. I had reached

my own personal hell. My mood barely improved until about 3 days

ago. For days I felt hungover, weak, shaky, tearful, volatile. then

the sun broke through the clouds, my energy came back, I was

positive about the future. Then my husband brought pizza home (just

like he always brings beer home when I have reached rock bottom and

vowed to never drink again!). So today, almost like I was punishing

myself I ate all kinds of sugar, like a bingeing bulimic who doesn't

want to throw up. I know I will be the most hellishly angry, violent

and utterly derpessed person by this evening but I'm in despair.

 

Is this just about willpower? Has anyone else had this struggle or

had to go through this while cooking seperate meals for other

people? Even the tiniest nugget of wisdom would be appreciated.

 

One more thing-when I am all raw it seems all I eat is plain almond

milk, fruit and salad leaves with avocado, scallion, tomato, garlic

and seeds. Many of the recipes I see online seem so complicated or

unappetising, such as the dehydrated food and pureed soups. Can

anyone point me towards some good simple recipes? i am aiming for a

very simple mono type diet eventually of greens and fruits and nuts,

but feel I need to transition.

 

Thanks so much.

[Guest guest]

Over the years they have developed a

> distaste for all vegetables, raw or cooked. SO I have no idea how

to

> convert them. They will not even eat wholesome food anymore (beans,

> brown rice, lentils etc).

 

 

It is amazing what children will eat when these are their only

options. Especially when they have skipped a meal or two.....

 

There are definitely middle-recipes, such as pudding from avocado ;-)

That can be tasty for everyone.. without knowing they are eating

anything healthy.

 

I would definitely have a " come to Jesus meeting " (that is what we

call it around here - LOL! - with your husband. HE doesn't have to go

all raw, but he can meet you halfway in terms of not bringing home

tempting items, etc. He can perhaps take the kids OUT for dinner when

they want such foods. And you can have some peace and quiet time, or

eat a salad in silence. AND he can set a pro-vegetable example for

the kids, etc.

 

Something like a banana ice cream " sundae " is a great transitional

food and healthy treat FOR ALL. :-)

 

Erica

[Guest guest]

> Hi Pixie,

> First off, we all love you very much. I feel your frustration.

>

> I find it difficult being with a partner who is ALSO raw, simply

> because we constantly test and tease each other with " do you think

we

> should go get Indian tonight? " , wanting the other person to break

the

> rules so that we feel justified in doing it ourselves.

> Anyway, what I'm saying is it must be extremely difficult with an

> entire family that is not raw, and especially with a person who

brings

> home beer and pizza frequently...eww yuck!

>

> The truth is this Pixie: It takes more courage, more than almost

> anything else we encounter in life, to begin to think critically of

> the food you eat and to experiment with eating a non-toxic and

> overly-stimulating diet. Most people can NOT EVEN ATTEMPT this,

> because the psychological addiction to the chemical, manufactured

and

> engineered stimulation of industrial-process (waste) food, is so

> strong, and they so dependent on it, it is literally frightening.

And

> some people simply have been so brain-washed by all the food

> commercials on tv, you just can't even ever get through.

>

> To be trying to go raw at all shows that you are a superbly

courageous

> person, that you are a natural leader, and that your critical

thinking

> skills are strong and well developed. Congratulations!

>

> Eating food is a very social act, especially within a family, and

> ESPECIALLY when you eat the SAME food together. You will need to

> understand that, and use it to change your inner emotions to

consider

> that YOU can eat raw all on your own and others do not have to join

> you. Offer your family healthy food, but don't take it personally

> when they refuse. This is the most difficult part and will be with

> you a long time, because the social need for eating the SAME food

> together with your loved ones is a deep instinctual desire.

>

> I don't know what else to say, but realize that your family is

> essentially addicted to drugs, and it will take a long time to get

> them off, if you ever do it at all - if they're not ready for the

> change, that is. If they are mentally ready, obviously cooperation

> will be great!

>

> Certainly, willpower has a lot to do with it, but also confidence in

> your decision making abilities and even your confidence and love for

> yourself. That you want to go raw shows you have these things in

> abundance already, they will just become more and more developed and

> stronger as you continue.

>

> Your raw diet you listed at the end sounds just fine. As you go for

> longer stretches with raw you will naturally experiment with

different

> foods. This doesn't happen overnight and it can take literally

years

> to figure out a satisfying menu plan for yourself, given the

> restrictions of what's available in your area. But as I said, what

> you listed sounds just fine, very great actually. Some people might

> recommend less fat intake (from the almond milk and avocado) though,

> but this is a building up process. No one here, and you yourself,

> shouldn't expect you to have a perfect raw food diet right away. It

> takes time.

>

> Take care and love yourself

>

> Joe

>

 

What a beautiful post, Joe!

[Guest guest]

Thank you! thank you! thank you! for your beautiful, inspiring,

supportive answers. I feel uplifted already. Even though I had a

horribly bingey day and feel awful physically, I feel some things

have been put in perspective.

 

Joe, one of the reasons I've been trying to go raw is to restore

clarity to my life. To clean out my body in order to become more

conscious. Over the years I've noticed the correlation between what

goes in my body and what pops into my mind. eg when I eat sugar, I'm

psychotic. When I eat wheat I fall asleep or get lethargic and

depressed. So I enjoyed what you said about the communal eating/deep

instinctual desires. Of course I don't have to convert my family.

This is about me and what I'm putting in my body and how it affects

my thoughts/emotions and how conscious I am in responding or

reacting to that.

 

I think part of the problem lies in my all or nothing attitude. This

time around I gave myself a week to go all raw and was kicking

myself every day that I slipped up even a little during that week

and ate, say, some hummus or quinoa. And of course, after I had been

all raw for a whopping 3 days, the pizza appeared and now today I'm

punishing myself with junk food.

 

I noticed you said you took about 8 months at 50/50. That's a lot

more realistic. Although.... I feel like i might lose my focus over

that length of time and simply slip back into the old ways. I feel

desperate for changes, with as extreme as my emotions have been.

This isn't about dropping a few pounds for a wedding. I'm seriously

blue and I know a part of that is attributable to my diet.

 

 

Kneeling Fool-you are so right! There is only this moment.

Yesterday is a story. Tomorrow is a projection. Why create my own

unhappiness by dwelling on my failures? Yeah, Why? I'm working on

that one...I love your presence. I feel it in every post.