Raw Odyssey

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Running out of food makes you very creative, which can be a good thing. Yesterday I had tried to make a raw Waldorf salad using tahini for the dressing. Although It wasn’t too bad, it still had the taste of a desperation meal. I tried again today by making a fruit salad for lunch using apple, mango (the smaller kind I don’t like), grapes and some tangerine juice. I grated cinnamon over it. Today’s fruit juice “dressing” was much better than yesterday’s tahini-based one, but my brain still rebelled because my favorite fruit salads have berries, grapes, watermelon and large, juicy mango, not dry stuff like apples. When I first started eating the salad I was totally disinterested in it, but after two bites my tastebuds totally perked up. It’s very strange when my tastebuds enjoy something that my mind rebels against! Maybe that was a sign that my body was benefitting from the the meal. Unfortunately, applea often give me a stomach ache, and that’s what I’m suffering from right now.

I weighed myself this morning and discovered I’ve lost 20 lbs!!! This absolutely amazing to me. I’ve never lost so much weight in such a short amount of time. Not only that, but I’ve had none of the guilty feelings I used to have when trying to lose weight in the past. When losing weight in the past, I used to overeat the foods I really liked, and then a few days before weigh-in I would practically starve myself and work out extra hard in order to lose the weight I knew I had regained. The day of weigh-in- and often the day after- I would “treat” myself with fattening foods like hot fudge sundaes or fast food. The most extreme of my binge/starve routine caused me to gain 9 lbs in one week and then lose 9 lbs the following week. I really tortured myself in those days! Although I’m still facing challenges in getting used to a life of raw foods, those challenges don’t involve shame, anxiety or depression. It’s almost like a dream! Now, today is not my official weigh-in day, so we’ll see what the true verdict is on Sunday. But I’m excited!!

TODAYS MEALS

BREAKFAST
Organic Raw Black Sesame Tahini (Living Tree), 2 tbsp
Flax Seed Crisps, RAW, Mauk Family Farms, 0.75 oz

LUNCH
Apples, fresh, 1 medium (2-3/4″ dia) (approx 3 per lb)
Grapes, 1 cup, seedless
Mangos, 1 fruit without refuse
Tangerine Juice, 4 fl oz

DINNER
Taboule Salad, 2 tbsp
Flax Seed Crisps, RAW, Mauk Family Farms, 0.5 oz
Avocados, California (Haas), 0.33 fruit without skin and seeds
Baba Roasted Garlic Hummus, 5 tbsp

SNACK
Organic Raw Black Sesame Tahini (Living Tree), 1.5 tbsp
Flax Seed Crisps, RAW, Mauk Family Farms, 0.75 oz
Pine nuts, 1 tbsp
Banana, 1 large

Calories 1,325 Carbs 177 Protein 47 Fat 30

Ha- I didn’t have TIME to eat! That’s how I stayed raw. So the problem has not been solved. Class let out early, so I was able to get home before I died of hunger. I can see that for a day like today I may not be able to eat someting messy like trail mix or loud like an apple. I have very little time to get from one class to another A banana might work best.

TODAY’S FOODS

BREAKFAST
Banana, fresh, 1 large
Centrum with Lycopene, 1 serving
Nature Made Calcium Citrate, 1 serving
Cantaloupe, 1/4 melon, medium

LUNCH
Cantaloupe, 0.25 melon, medium (about 5″ dia)
Avocados, California (Haas), 0.75 fruit without skin and seeds
Green Giant Spring Mix Salad, 1 cup
Baba Roasted Garlic Hummus, 1/2 cup
Taboule Salad, 8 tbsp

DINNER/SNACK
Apples, fresh, 1 large
Grapes, 15
Goji Berries, 1 tbsp
Tahini, 1 tbsp
Banana, fresh, 1 large (8″ to 8-7/8″ long)

I start back at the university today. I’ll be out all afternoon into the mid-evening and I’m a bit nervous. I have no money to buy food at school today, so I’ve decided eat “strategically”. I had fruit for breakfast (cantaloupe and banana with grated cinnamon). About 40 minutes before I leave I’ll have a hummus and taboule sandwich with a bit of extra hummus and avocado to fill me up. I’ll take a homemade trailmix of sprouted nuts, goji berries and raisins, plus an apple and a banana with me to keep me until 8pm. That should be fine, right? Wish me luck!

Wow- I’m really eating less than I thought I would! I’m feeling satisfied these past couple of days at a calorie range closer to 1200, which is the magic number I always kept in mind when trying to lose weight in the past. As I write this it is 9:15 pm and I’m having a snack of a 1/4 cantaloupe. It is SOOO good- this must be what food tastes like when you’re really, truly hungry. I’m used to eating whenever I feel like it, but I never really tasted my food. In fact, I often didn’t want to taste it after a while because it would simply be acknowledgement that I was overeating. It’s very different when you eat without guilt. I really taste the food now, and I don’t have to hurry through it.

Today I read a really interesting article by Chet Day, who has seemingly valid and sensible concerns about raw vegan diets. He talks about proven deficiencies in 100% raw vegan diets and advocates adding animal-based foods in order to make up for deficiencies in zinc, B12 and other minerals. I hadn’t thought about zinc, so I added that nutrient to Sparkpeople.com and sure enough, I’m WAY low on zinc on the days I don’t take my multivitamin. But what to do? I don’t do well on cheese, and yogurt will have the same binge-inducing effect, I fear. Eggs might be a good alternative. I could hard boil one and put it in my salad, or just eat it as a snack by itself. I agree with Chet Day when he downplays the importance of sticking to a 100% raw diet just to be able to say you are raw. Quality of health is much more important to me. You can read Chet Day’s articles at http://chetday.com/vegandietdangers.htm .

Before I list my meals for the day, I wanted to thank people for their kind comments and helpful suggestions. If anyone has particular topics they are interested in seeing in the blog, drop me a line. I’m all about knowledge (can’t help it- I love learning!) so I’m happy to look into topics and I’m not afraid to hear all sides of an issue. I believe in straight talk, honesty and practical advice that people can put to use, I don’t agree with a lot of stuff I’ve been reading about raw foodism, but I’m happy to look at where the information comes from and what the many controversies are all about.

On to today’s menu:

BREAKFAST

Banana, fresh, 1 extra large (9″ or longer)
Banana, fresh, 1 extra large (9″ or longer)

LUNCH
Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 serving
Hummus, 1/4 cup
Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf
Avocados, California (Haas), 2 oz

DINNER
Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf
Avocados, California (Haas), 56 grams
Romaine Lettuce (salad), 4 inner leaf
Flax Seed Crisps, RAW, Mauk Family Farms, 1 oz
Tomatoes, red, ripe, raw, year round average, 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Baby Carrots, raw, 2 medium
Garlic, 1 clove
Salt, 1 tsp
Taboule Salad, 4 tbsp
Onions, raw, 1 slice, large (1/4″ thick)
Pine Nuts, 1 tbsp
Goji Berries, dried (Himalania), 1 oz

SNACKS
Cantaloupe, 0.25 melon, medium
Centrum with Lycopene,
Nature Made Calcium Citrate, 2

Calroies 1,186 carbs 188 fat 43 protein 34

My friend mentioned to me today that I eat hardly any greens at all. I didn’t really notice that, but she’s right. I definitely will be adding greens (spinach, especially) to my diet! That will help with my nutritional deficiencies.

At the moment I’m basking in the lingering aroma and flavor of the garlic I grated into my hummus/taboule sandwich. MMMMMMMM. Its amazing how a meal that was getting boring can be renewed with garlic.

Today I decided that since I’m satsified at 1340 calories, I’ll just stop eating. I’m not going to try to eat more, even though my calorie range for a weight loss of 2 lbs per week is, according to Sparkpeople, around 1450 to 1750. I’ll just take things one day at a time. I’m sure some days I’ll want to eat more, and others I’ll be satisfied with less.

My Meals for the Day

BREAKFAST
Banana, fresh, 3 extra small (less than 6″ long)
Centrum with Lycopene, 1 serving
Nature Made Calcium Citrate, 2 serving

LUNCH
Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 serving
Hummus, 0.25 cup
Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf
Avocados, California (Haas), 56 grams
Olive Oil, 1 1tsp
Orange Juice, 6 fl oz
Pomegranates, 1 pomegranate (3-3/8″ dia)

DINNER
Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 serving
Hummus, 0.25 cup
Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf
Avocados, California (Haas), 56 grams

SNACKS
Organic Raw Black Sesame Tahini (Living Tree), 1 tbsp
Flax Seed Crisps, RAW, Mauk Family Farms, 0.5 oz
Taboule Salad, 2 tbsp
1/4 medium sized cantaloupe (added at 11:30 pm!!)
CALORIES 1,391 CARBS 212 FAT 46 PROTEIN 41

Today was another strange day for me because it is now a quarter to 11 pm and I’ve not made my minimum number of calories for the day. I’m hungry now, so I’m going to eat a very late meal. Don’t know if that’s good or bad, but I’m gonna do it anyway. I’ve found that 1/4 cup each of hummus and taboule fill me just fine rather than the 1/2 cup each I was having before, so that contributes to the lower number of calories I’ve been eating. Maybe (gasp) I’m actually getting used to eating LESS food! Still, I’m concerned with the amount of calories I eat because I don’t yet trust my body to guide me. One thing I know from past weight loss success is that if one eats too far below one’s caloric reuirements, weight loss can slow down considerably, and I don’t want that to happen.

Lately I’m really noticing how good non-raw foods smell. I’ve been overcome by the aromas of coffee, pizza and peanut butter in my own home. But I’m proud to say that I have not wanted to eat any of those foods- my family is not raw, but so far I’ve been all right with that.

TODAY’S FOOD

BREAKFAST

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 slices

Hummus, 1/4 cup

Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf

Avocados, California (Haas), 2 oz

Taboule Salad, 1/4 cup

LUNCH

Flax Seed Crisps, RAW, Mauk Family Farms, 0.75 oz

Green Giant Spring Mix Salad, 1 cup

Baba Roasted Garlic Hummus, 4 tbsp

Taboule Salad, 4 tbsp

DINNER

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 slices

Hummus, 1/4 cup

Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf

Taboule Salad, 1/4 cup

SNACKS

Cucumber 1/2 large

Baba Roasted Garlic Hummus, 5 tbsp

Taboule Salad, 4 tbsp

Raisins, (1.5 oz)

Pine Nuts, 1 tbsp

Raw Trail Mix (Mauk Family Farms), 1/2 oz

Goji Berries, dried (Himalania), 1/2oz

Total calories

CALORIES 1,508 CARBS191 FAT 57 PROTEIN 56

I ate fruit for breakfast with the 80/10/10 plan in mind. This turned out to be very unfulfilling. Before I would have normally become hungry I felt I was starving (I’m talking the growlies AND a headache!). I ate a hummus sandwich for an early lunch and was satisfied enough to not even think of snacking. (I was also engaged in a game of Monopoly for a few hours, which might havea distracted me from eating). I ate dinner around 5pm. At that point I noticed that my calorie intake for the day was pretty low (barely over 1000) because I didn’t snack. Unfortunately, I had developed a stomach ache and felt my belly was full of air. I waited until 9:30 to eat a snack of 3 oz. of raw cheese (the last of it) and a slice of the sprouted bread. I’m done eating for the day, but still have water to drink.

I’m continuing to read about 80/10/10. It’s pretty extreme and controversial, mainly because of the very low fat. I will simply ease myself into a lower fat/lower carb plan- something like 60/10/30, first. I know for sure I don’t want to eat a lot of sweet fruits because I don’t enjoy it, so 70% carbs may not work at all (who’d a thunk I’d reject something sweet??). For sure an all-fruit breakfast didn’t work for me today. In an 1800 calorie day a 60/10/30 plan works out to 270 grams of carbs, 45 grams of protein and 60 grams of fat. I think I can handle that- it’s not too huge a change from what I’ve been doing.

TODAY’S FOOD

BREAKFAST 9:30 a.m.

Fruit salad: 1 apple, 1 small mango, 1 banana

LUNCH

I’m STARVING! It’s 11:48 and I’ve been starving for an hour but refused to accept it. Maybe it’s not hunger but somethinhg caused by the large amount of fruit I ate. I’m NOT having fruit for lunch. I’m having a humms/taboule sandwich with my new sprouted bread.

Two slices sprouted bread

1/4 cup hummus

1/3 cup taboule

2 oz avocado

1 slice romaine

DINNER

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 serving

Hummus, 0.25 cup

Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf

Avocados, California (Haas), 56 grams

SNACKS

Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Organic Valley, 3 oz

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 1 serving

Total calories

CALORIES 1,504 CARBS 191 FAT 62 PROTEIN58

TODAY’S FOOD

NEW FOOD: SPROUTED BREAD

I was at Wild Oats today. I really like that place and am glad I discovered one near me! I found more raw nuts there than at Whole Foods, and more printed material (I love reading). I’m low on money so I only got one new thing: 7 grain sprouted bread made by Food 4 Life. I got it because of it’s high protein-to-fat content (only .5 grams of fat but 4 grams of protein). I am worried that eating bread will lead me back to processed-food cravings, but I don’t want to assume this without trying it. I’ve had two sandwiches today and must say that it was great to have my taboule and hummus in a different form! But the bread itself is a bit bland. I don’t think it will create any cravings.

BREAKFAST

Raw Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Organic Valley, 2 oz

Flax Seed Crisps, RAW, Mauk Family Farms, 0.5 oz

Small Banana 6″, 1 serving

LUNCH

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 serving

Avocados, California (Haas), 0.25 fruit without skin and seeds

Baba Roasted Garlic Hummus, 4 tbsp

Taboule Salad, 4 tbsp

Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf

DINNER

Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Grain Bread, 2 slices

Hummus, 1/4 c cup

Romaine Lettuce (salad), 1 inner leaf

Avocados, California (Haas), 2 oz

Taboule Salad, 4 tbsp

SNACKS

SNACKS

Banana, fresh, 1 small (6″ to 6-7/8″ long)

Mangos, 0.8 cup, sliced

Raw Cheddar Cheese, 2 oz

Celery, raw, 2 stalk, medium (7-1/2″ - 8″ long))

Total calories

CALORIES 1,601 CARBS 177 FAT 73 PROTEIN 64

My Nutrition Lesson for Today

Today was quite a day of learning for me. First, I’ve decided to not buy any more raw cheese because I believe it keeps me wanting to eat even when I’m not really hungry (of course I’m using this as an excuse to eat up all the remaining cheese quickly!) Secondly, I’ve been doing more reading about nutrients and, despite my skepticism about the raw food information out there, some of the things I’m reading really appeal to me. Since I’m no expert, there’s no guarantee that the information that appeals to me is any better than the information that doesn’t! However, with so much opposing and incomplete information out there, I am just going to continue to trust my own common sense and my body.

Informative Site #1

In my continued quest to learn about calories, fat and protein intake, I stumbled across Dr. Douglas Graham’s website, which advocates that one eats 80% of your calories from carbs, 10% from protein and 10% from fats (.80-10-10 plan, or 8-1-1). If I eat 1800 calories a day, this would mean 357 grams of carbohydrates, mainly in the form of fruit. I would eat only 20 grams of fat, in the form of nuts, seeds and from fruit such as avocados. As for protein, I would only need 45 grams, and would get that from the fruit as well as from vegetables- mainly in the form of a large salad, which would also provide minerals such as calcium, sodium and magnesium. You can read about this plan (and other raw info) at http://www.foodnsport.com.

Informative Site #2

I’m not sure how such a menu would work for me. For one thing, fruit is more expensive than vegetables. For another, I don’t know that fruit would make me feel full enough. These concerns were addressed at another website which provided a personal account of one woman, now in her late 40s (and looking very healthy!) during her transition to raw foods. Reading her site, I gained more confidence in doing my own thing on this odyssey. Her site is Raw School: http://www.rawschool.com.

These sites have motivated me to make some changes: I’m going to transition towards lower amounts of fat in my diet, even though previously I wasn’t worried about a raw diet of 50% fats. I think I will also ease toward the 80-10-10 way of eating to see what it’s like.

If you visit these sites (or already know about them), I’d love to hear what you think of them.