Water-logged

Exercise: Push-ups
Food: Dates around noon when I got up, then banana and mango pudding (2 portions!) I use 2 bananas to one mango. The trick is not to over-blend so that is nice and thick and filling. Some dates. I was out and about today (ate one apple, and a 75g pistachios) and this evening wondered why I was feeling hungry. And realised I hadn't eaten that much. So had five bananas. I don't eat many nuts these days. I tend to prefer avocados on the whole for my fat intake. I eat half an avocado in my salads and occasionally one whole one. But am thinking of ordering some raw cashews for a treat from www.detoxyourworld. And am waiting to see if I can order some fresh raw nuts from the inspirational Nora Lenz of www.rawschool.com

My period arrived today. I don't get cramps or any pains. Never did, only the occasional feeling that something was 'shifting'. But only on the first day if it happened and not uncomfortable. But I did get serious water retention. And today I notice my breasts are quite swollen. Wouldn't be noticeable to the external eye but they are definitely the heaviest they've been this year. I think this due to the salt in the sun-dried tomatoes etc. My emotional poise has been good.

Had a chat today with a friend about my raw journey. She is not raw herself but health aware and a seeker. She is very supportive and asks questions in a non-defensive or insecure manner. And I really appreciate that. Because this is sooo different to mainstream thinking and sometimes even though I know I'm not the only one treading this exciting path, it can feel like I'm an alien! And it's nice to not always have to shore oneself up to deal with the bombardment of opinions, well-meant but misguided advice, insecurities and the rest;) I admire couples and families who are embarking on the journey together or who at least are not a stumbling block to the raw adventurer in their midst.

Sleepy Head

Exercise: Run, push-ups
Food: Breakfast canteloupe milk, lunch canteloupe milk, evening banana and mango pudding, a load of dates, huge green baby leaves salad with sunblushed tomatoes, pomodorino tomatoes and avocado. Some more dates later.

Went to a party and drank orange juice, highly suspect it came from a bottle hmm. Had a long lie-in bed today. Got up around 10am had first canteloupe, went back to bed and got up at 2pm. I said a prayer of gratitude for my bed last night. That I have one, that it is comfortable, and for peaceful, restorative sleep.

Down Cooked Way

Exercise: Push ups
Food: Banana and mango pudding, followed by nine bananas, Lunch was my big green salad with sun-blushed tomatoes, pomodorino tomatoes and avocado. And another salad later with greens, carrots, beetroot, seaweed, avocado and a little plain tofu. In the evening went to a dinner event, had veg curry with a couple of potatoes, salad leaves and tomatoes (and water to drink). Followed by fruit. I could have had just salad leaves and tomato but did not want to draw attention to myself just then.

But know at the next one I know intuitively that I will just have salad, and maybe bring some additions of my own. I still felt hungry after the curry and could have had more. It did taste nice which was interesting to note as there is some cooked food I know I would not enjoy any more. I didn't feel sick or have any adverse reactions, like drop in energy. But that maybe due to the fact that it was completely vegetable based, with raw elements. I was not tempted by the garlic bread or the cake. It does feel great to be free of such base attractions. I love this journey. Afterwards went for drink at the pub, I had cranberry juice (alas not fresh) and salted roasted pistachios. Did feel a slight scratchy throat when I got home. In hindsight should have ordered water and passed on the pistachios. At home made some mango and banana pudding. Maybe not the best combining choice after nuts but needed it. Felt full and nourished.

It's A Date

Exercise: Run, push-ups
Food: Dates in the morning followed by 8 bananas, for lunch two salads (one home-made - leaves, beetroot, tomatoes, walnut and coriander pesto, and one bought from deli - mixed leaves, sundried-tomato, a little bit of cabbage and carrot, fresh basil, and I added half an avocado because they had run out!). Also had a litre of home-made smoothie (mango and celery). Had another big salad at home with baby leaves, pomodorino tomatoes (I know the tomatoes again, I'm experimenting with different varieties, I can't get over this experience, humour me!), sun-blush tomatoes and some perfectly ripe avocado. Ended the day as I had begun with a few dates.

It's getting cold in old London town, but surprising have had no herbal teas today. But as I type am sipping on some warm water.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070924/thl-health-cancer-elderly-96993ab_1.html

Number of elderly cancer patients to double by 2030

I read this today, but there is hope and cancer is not inevitable. Read this great article from Nora Lenz's site:RawSchool.com

http://www.rawschool.com/philosophy.htm

You may have to cut and paste into your browser. I

Gratitude

Exercise: run and push ups
Food: dates around 10.30am (see holding out!), then four bananas around noon. Had 'Jaynies' green salad. Feeling less hungry today, bought some edamame. At end of day had three more bananas and my green smoothie mango and spinach, but the spinach was a bit wilted and I could taste it, but downed it anyway. More dates later at home.


Was chopping up my vine tomatoes just now for tomorrow's salad and they smelt divine. I am just so thankful to God that I can appreciate that now. I never thought I'd see the day.


Here are details for The Date People, I haven't used them yet mind

Order from:The Date People

P.O Box 808

Niland, CA 92257

Phone: 760-359-3211 Fax: 760-359-3212

Yummy Yummy Salads

Exercise: Pushups, yoga
Food: dates first thing, ate way too early about 7am. Canteloupe milk. 8 bananas followed by my rocking salad of leaves, beetroot, vine tomatoes and avocado. Looked and tasted great. I am absolutely ravenous today. I think linked with period but also as you consolidate all raw eating your body is being reset and doing a lot of cleansing. It's getting used to being fed fresh biologically appropriate nosh all the time!

Had to go and buy another salad and edamame, see yesterday's post. Followed by a bag of dates. Found a post on The Date People, they grow tons of varieties of dates in vegan and raw friendly processes. They don't appear to have a website but will dig out details for you.


This evening tried my hand at raw fettucine, although creamy pasta never did it for me. Made with courgettes, pine nuts, basil, sesame seeds and spices. It looked very realistic. Will take it for lunch tomorrow with my salad, hopefully will hit the spot.

Also ate banana and mango pudding, 1 large banana and one small mango. And some more dates!

I do love this journey. I can't wait for more people to get it, especially my friends and family. Tomorrow I will try and wait until noon to eat (but if feel hungry earlier will eat). I want to feel proper hunger and not just eat out of habit, even if it is fabulous fare!

I'll be reviewing some resources, books and sites soon, ones that I think are great, and not necessarily the ones you always hear about.

Four Legs Good Two Legs Bad

No, this post isn't about Animal Farm. I just wanted to make the point that it isn't simply a matter of raw food good and cooked food bad. Cooked food invariably has to be cooked by someone, some company, some country etc to make it cooked, non? We always have choices, sometimes hard, sometimes easy, what informs yours?

Exercise: push ups and leg exercises
Food: Had dates first thing, did not strictly speaking feel hungry when I ate them, but period is due so just going with it for now.
Had eight bananas mid morning.
Lunch was a small green salad with beetroot, baby leaves, cherry tomatoes and avocado. It was delicious. Another miracle is that I eat raw tomatoes only started last Friday. I used to hate them before and was praying that after my last fast things would be realigned and I would enjoy them and I do! Was still hungry so went and bought another salad - leaves, sun-dried tomato, basil, a bit of cabbage and carrot, they had run out of avocado salsa, so put a few olives in. But I got rid of them back at work and bought an avocado from a little fruit and veg shop. So great when you get what you desire. Used half and put the rest in the fridge at work.
In the evening had some more dates, and canteloupe milk (no actual milk!), canteloupe whizzed up with some raw honey.

Some people do not use honey so go with your conscience on this. I find it is best to keep an open mind as much as is possible. Because on this raw journey, and indeed life's journey we are constantly learning (or should be!) so we need to be able to abandon old beliefs and gather up new ones as we pursue truth.

I made my salad for tomorrow. It just smelled so good, and the bowl I mixed it up in is beautiful, It's huge, stainless steel with a moulded rim. I love great design. I stood there looking at the salad in the bowl and thought to myself what a stunning sight, I felt like I was offering up an act of worship to God. What a privilege to be able to put his provision to good use.

Juice, Glorious Juice

Sun 23 Sept 2007


Exercise: run, push ups, running up escalators

Food: Breakfast: Woke up feeling hungry, had about 500g of dates and lots of water with a squeeze of lemon, and mango and banana pudding (2 bananas and mango) whizzed up in my shiny new Blendtech blender. It's also beautifully designed!


Around 4pm had some sun-dried tomatoes and olives. I don't normally have much of these but have a desire for their tartness/chewyness, maybe due to time of the month. So going with it. Have some more olives, but a bit salty. I think we can safely say I won't be having again for a while.


Around 9pm had a litre of fresh orange and celery juice, and am currently sipping fresh pineapple and celery juice. It is just so yummy to guzzle. I don't normally have much juice when eating my normal raw diet, mainly when fasting. But I suspect I'm drawn to it after the saltiness and tartness of the antpasti.


I just love to move so much more when I eat this way. I feel myself literally flying across the pavement as I'm going from A to B.


Yesterday and today's food logs are not actually typical of what I regularly eat. I might try and put info up from the past month or so. My staple foods are bananas, I have eaten up to 20 in a day although usually around 8-12 now. That is amazing in itself, as I couldn't eat bananas since I was a child due to a reaction I got. But following my extended fast last year I can. I still want to pinch myself. Am very grateful to God as it would be hard going raw-wise without a filling, versatile, sweet staple like bananas.

I Eat Raw

I started eating raw about four and a half years ago, when I started eating vegan. Although at the time I didn't realise I was eating 'raw' or 'high raw' and the significance for my health. More about how I came to eat a vegan type diet will come later....

My main reason for getting this blog started is to be able to talk about health, raw food etc without boring my friends silly! I love everything to do with health and wholeness. I will record what I eat daily. It helps me keep a log that I can track over time and hopefully it will be of help and interest to you.

Sat Sept 22 2007
Exercise: Went for run and pushups
Food: Canteloupe milk smoothie, just delicious creamy and sweet without the cow stuff! - a whole melon and no added water. I put in a tablespoon of raw honey (optional).

Early afternoon, a lot of organic Deglet Noor dates, a pineapple and strawberry smoothie. Deglet Noor dates are my favourite so far. They are a little bit nutty and not too sweet. I find Medjools very sweet, same with Halawis although I can eat them. Look forward to trying some other varieties.

Early evening, we were on the road, so made the most of it. I had packed a little salad of baby leaves, fresh tomato and avocado but by that time was ravenous and needed some urgent additions. Picked up some antipasti, sun-blushed tomatoes, mushrooms, and an edamame/greens salad from EAT, mixed everything up and then ate it all up! Felt deliciously full but light at the same time.

Had some more dates later at home with, lots of water and lemon.