challenge – Urban Raw Food

12 Days into my Raw Food Recommit.

Ajima — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:47:44 +0000

Down from 205 to 195. 10 pounds of weight lost…released never to return again. Banished.

I’d say I’m 90% raw. My baby encouraged me to recommit after a long trip off the wagon. He’s doing the first 14 days with me. More to come.

Muah!

Day 3 – Driving Away From Fast Food

Ajima — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:05:57 +0000

I lost my mind a little twice yesterday but I woke up the second time. First time was with a little mini Almond Joy. That daggone candy jar again. More will power was on the way later in the day.

Oh Fast Food, You almost got me, but I won. Nothing like sitting in the drive through with ice cream on your mind (because anything else would smell like fast food and my boyfriend would know) and having an epiphany. I realized that I was listening to the old, sick, sad me and that the real me was the one behind the wheel. I drove away with a smile on my lips and peace in my heart.

What I ate:

Grapefruit juice
Handful of raw peanuts
Bag of baby carrots (my tummy hurt after this. Ow. Felt better after I got my salad.)
Large Lunch Salad
1 mini Almond Joy
2 raw nut/date balls (not really hungry last night)

I woke up this morning at 200 pounds (down from 202.5 on monday). Very happy about that.

Day 2 – No Blame, No Shame

Ajima — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 13:32:37 +0000

I’m writing this as I start Day 3 feeling great, but a little sore from last nights workout . I think the Vitamin C in this fresh, wonderful grapefruit juice will help. I did well on day two. I’m naming this day “no blame, no shame” because I did slip up and have 2 mini KitKats from my boss’s candy jar.

Morning weight was 201.5 pounds.

Started the day with a huge glass of fresh carrot juice
1 Yellow apple for a snack
Huge lunch salad from the salad bar
2 mini KitKats
Sandwich bag of carrots

Wasn’t really the hungry in the evening for the second day in a row. Had 2 nut balls and then did my P90X workout (Focus on arms). I feel good about my progress. As in the past, I’m seeing the signs of detox that appear in our bathroom habits.

Why the KitKats?
Stress. I was stressed a work and looking for a release. Looking for the “Ah”, that temporary bliss that comes from sugar. Just like any drug, I felt worse when I came down from my high. I realized that I should have brought the date/nut balls that I made with raw agave nectar with me so that I could have chosen those over processed sugar. So that’s what I did today (Day 3). We all have the power to make better decisions. I’m excercising mine, while not sweeping my issues under the rug. I’m facing my issues head on…without shame…so that I can be free.

I’m just taking each day, day by day.

Don’t call it a comeback

Ajima — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:13:33 +0000

Blogging…oh, how I’ve forsaken thee. Ok, I haven’t written in a while. Let’s just call it a vacation. A break if you will.

Raw is hard for me right now. I fell off the wagon, yet again on a trip home the weekend after the 4th of July holiday. Oh, Dairy Queen…you are a vile temptress. Luckily, there are not easily accessible DQ locations in DC (I think the closest one is in Bowie Town Center). Between DQ and Sonic (Sonic Blast with Reese’s cups…*drool*) my ice cream habit was in full effects.

*sigh*

Back on the wagon. I’ve added wheat germ to my morning smoothies and I make sure I have a “ready to do battle” bag with me all day. Carrots, grapes, etc. Oh no, the munchies won’t get me.

Today’s challenge: Going to happy hour on U Street. What place that serves bar food has anything raw I can eat? Um…I’m thinking none. On top of that, I’ve had a rough week and I could really, really use a drink. I’m going to pass and hope that the caring words of the dear friend I’m meeting at happy hour will suffice.

Blessings

Day 8: The challenge of eating out at restaurants

Ajima — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:25:10 +0000

Yesterday…Sunday

Weight: 179.5

I ate:

Green smoothie: banana, spinach, and frozen mango
raw walnuts (about a cup)
bowl of grapes
Large salad with spinach, walnuts, boiled egg, fried crispy onion
4 deviled eggs (I know, I know)

Day 8 was the day of the restaurant challenge. I took a friend of mine to a really great new restaurant in DC, Founding Farmers. For all of you who are serious about living green and going green…this is the spot for you.

Founding Farmers is here to bring you the bounty of true Farm-to-Table choices in an environment dedicated to sustainability…we believe that everyone benefits by knowing more about the source of the food they eat. We understand the journey from seed to harvest, and from Farm-to-Table, and are dedicated to making that connection each and every time. Owned by a collective of American family farmers, Founding Farmers exists to promote the products and services of family farms, ranches, and fisheries. We also want to educate the public about the long-standing connection between farmers – the first to lead the “green” movement – and their historic stewardship of natural resources.

Founding Farmers has been designed to meet LEED Gold Standard design criteria, a first for a restaurant in the District of Columbia. LEED is a term used to describe architecture and interior design that has been constructed and created with very little impact on the environment. Most “green” buildings are usually LEED certified buildings, as designated by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The Meal was awesome. I suggest the mint limeade…it wasn’t full of sugar and koolaid-ish…and the Late Harvest Salad. The staff was awesome! The place just opened in late September, so it was like finding a lil gem, something new to experience with my friends.

I did not eat 100% raw as you can see above, and I’m fine about that. Unlike my other food quests, I don’t want to play the good food/bad food games with my mind. I ate healthy. I’ve pretty much decided that I’m not going to be %100 in case of special occasions and this was a birthday dinner. However, because I’ve been a sugar addict, I don’t think I’ll ever be real into sweets (cake and ice cream) again. But I know that there will be times when everything on my salad may not be raw AND…I’m sure I may eat seafood from time to time on special occasions. I want to be 100%, sure…but I also want to be sane. I say this with the full knowledge that life is about choices. My advice to anyone starting out as a raw foodist or raw vegan is to do the same, especially if you’ve never been a vegan or vegetarian before you start. Eating with friends can be one of the most challenging things in the beginning. Also, you may not know what choices are on every menu when going out with friends, and you shouldn’t be panicked just because the almonds or walnuts aren’t raw.