I needed some time to really immerse myself in the real reasons why I’m making this change. I needed to really understand what I was eating. I needed to revisit how so much of my favorite food really isn’t food and what that means to my health down the line. I don’t want to be sick, have diabetes, cancer, etc. Of course, I’m not saying that absolutely can’t happen to someone on a raw food path…but if you take care of your body and feed it “REAL” food, you have a better chance of living without disease.

So, since I was going to be off for 2 days I basically stayed in the house and ate raw for 2 days. On Nov 26 I was 181 pounds. Today 6 days later I’m 173. It clicked for me. Real food, natural food vs. Processed, sugar enriched food with no real nutritional value. It has really clicked for me. And the best thing…I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. I’m am fully aware of how I’m making a positive change and not a change fueled by vanity and wanting to be thin.

In this state I believe I will be able to carry on and be healthy. I’m not desiring the faux foods I used to love. I’m not 100% raw. I’ve had some salmon in these 6 days…with a very simple preparation. I think I’ll eventually be 100%, but my daily goal right now is 80-90% and I’ve been hitting that consistently.

My Mantra

I’m not a victim of food
The mind controls the body
I control the mind
What I eat
I choose to eat
How that food affects me
is the result of my choices
Today I choose good, healthy
and positive choices
The affect will be positive
I am in control

I’ve basically been eating the same thing every day…morning green smoothie, large salad for lunch, either another large salar for lunch or just fruit (grapes or rasberries) and some dried fruit and raw walnuts in the morning and evening.  This is really working well for me.

I’ve been feeling kinda lonely.  Food was my friend.  I hung out with food after work.  Food comforted me.  Food was always there for me.  I mean I’m still eating food, but I’m talking about soul food, comfort food…sugary food especially.  Yesterday after work I went home, but I felt so bored…looking for something to do.  I realize that so much of my energy was focused on eating, not eating, what to eat, and buying/not buying food.  Sure, I have a life…but with that internal struggle subdued it just leaves a void that I now need to fill with LIFE and actual Living!!!  That is exciting.  It makes me happy.  I just don’t know what all that will be, but it’s good to have to opportunity to really live and not just live as a seudo-victim of my tummy.

Weight: 180.5

What I ate:
Green smoothie: Kale, 1 banana, frozen blueberries, and spinach
2 bananas
1 cup of walnuts
banana chips
large salad with walnuts, red onion, mushrooms, and sunflower seeds

I walked at least 3 miles…maybe 3.5 today.  I walked from the nail parlor to the mall…it’s a hike.  I might have walked even more…I’d have to check Google Maps.   I was kinda tired after, but not extremely so.  I feel really good right now (it’s around 9pm) and I have lots of energy.  Life is good.  Oh…I didn’t have to face the challenge of eating out today…dinner got rescheduled for tomorrow.  I’m hopeful that I’ll just be satisfied with salad.  I’m not naive enough to think it won’t be challenging.  I know what I want…I don’t want to go backwards.

Yesterday I had a package of fresh raspberries for dinner. Wasn’t that hungry. I was on the phone all night talking to my best friend about a situation with some other of our friends that pissed me off. There was a birthday party and some how we weren’t invited. So high school, right. I know. So, I bitched about it and I’m over it. However, I was proud that I didn’t run out for any nasty goodies out of frustration and hurt. Very proud of myself. Talking it out works much better than eating the pain away. Who knew?

Weight: 184

What I’ve eaten so far:
Green Smoothie: Spinach, frozen mango, 1 banana, frozen blueberries
1/2 cup of walnuts
Large salad with sunflower seeds, olives, mushrooms, carrots and olive oil

I had some stronger hunger pains today right before lunch.  They were strongest so far and not terrible, but strong.  I’ve noticed my skin is clearing up and looks more healthy.  I have an insulin imbalance that causes a dark coating on certian areas of my skin like my neck.  That is looking better today as well, although as I was cleansing and decreasing my sugar intake during the month of September, that had been getting lighter and lighter.  I feel good.  OH and…2 movements of the bowels so far today (I know…TMI…but it’s part of the cleansing process).

Not thinking about and worrying about what I’m going to eat or not eat makes me feel so FREE.  That is one of the best things about this life change.  I suggest that you not tell an whole lot of people about going raw when you start, because if people were asking and questioning me right now…it would make me think about food and what I was “missing”.  I’m sure as my body changes I will get plenty of extra attention directed at how I’m transforming and looking so beautiful.  LOL  Right now I’m focused and happy.

Oh well.  No need to beat myself up.  I feel a heavy feeling in my tummy.  I don’t feel the usual sugar high.

So far today I’ve had a banana and and apple for breakfast, and my usual salad for lunch.  I’m going to make a faux salmon pate recipe I got from Allyssa Cohen’s book tonight.

“Being a vegan for over 25 years and a proponent of Living Foods, I’ve learned that good nutrition is good eating, good digesting, and absorbing the nutrients your body needs. However, most people eat food that has been cooked and then warmed up. This process depletes the enzyme activity in food and prevents the optimum digestion and absorption of nutrients.I’ve often said, I could have never eaten this way for so many years just eating steamed rice, boiled vegetables, plain lettuce, and tomatoes. I need flavors, textures, and color which all aid in digestion of food. What I hope to bring you is my love of the exotic blend of fruits, grains, vegetables, and sprouts that our natural world has to offer. Remember that the most magnificent gift of any of us will ever be given is our own body.” – From karynraw.com

Karyn Calabrese, one of the most popular and innovative leaders in the holistic health industry, Karyn’s Center provides a sacred space for the balancing of the body, mind and spirit. Serving people of all backgrounds, the center aims at assisting people in their healing process. The Center is designed to address all aspects of well-being, focusing on maintaining health while encouraging disease prevention.

Also an acclaimed chef, Karyn Calabrese has a gift for creating uniquely flavorful raw vegan dishes, making her restaurant, Karyn’s, the longest standing raw-food restaurant in the Midwest. Chicago Tribune’s William Rice calls Karyn, “the high priestess of raw food” and after stepping foot in her signature restaurant, you’ll know why. Raw food dining is taken to new heights as Karyn’s offers carefully prepared all-organic gourmet dishes influenced by her many years of innovative food preparation.

I celebrate Karyn!!!!  I’m so glad to see African Americans who have embraced raw food!