RawFu: Brutal Truth Edition

I will be joining Bunny Berry again and the RawFu community in another 100 Day Raw Food Challenge.

I know that when I eat mostly raw, my body feels its best but sometimes it is easy to slip back into old habits, which has happened to me. I've been unmotivated the past month or so. But for the last week I have been more motivated and a little less lazy (and more aware of my laziness or idleness). It's time to feel good again!

In other food news, instead of always asking my husband to make a few choices for the better to improve his health and diet, I'm making more food for him. And not just vegan dishes that we can share but other whole food dishes that include meat, chicken or fish. I feel good about this because I know he is eating healthier food (rather than just always making canned chunky soup and boxed macaroni, pasta and rice-a-roni). I would prefer that he incorporate whole foods for heart and brain health. As I increase the amount of foods I am making for him, hopefully he will feel a difference in his body. I think it will help improve his mood and energy levels.

Note: We don't often make food for each other or eat together because we have very different schedules. I'm gone 60 hours a semester for the time being. He works at night and sleeps in the early morning when I am leaving for work. This should change by mid-May.

Vision Board 2009

Inspired by Bunny on RawFu, I created a Vision Board for 2009. I've become lazy over the past month. I don't have a lot of specifics in my goals, because when I get super specific I set myself up for failure. But basically I want to spend more time seeking Jesus, doing yoga, and eating salads and smoothies. Each aspect is an important part of my spirituality. This is a simple start. I may do some more vision boards that each focus in on these and other aspects of my life.

I do have some goals that are more specific, but for now, I'm keeping that part to myself.

My Raw Journey

I suppose it is time for update on how I did adding more raw foods into my diet!

Actually, two days later (July 27th), I accidentally came across the RawFu 100 Day Raw Food Challenge. It was exactly what I needed! Bunny Berry created this site to help people who wanted to add more raw foods to their diet. She uploaded videos nearly everyday, featuring guest speakers, recipe demos and much more. It was truly a great experience. And something that really surprised is that there were more than a handful of Jesus followers on the forum, it helped me remember my intentions for joining the challenge.

The 100 day challenge began on August 1 and ended on November 7 or 8, I can't remember. I actually ate predominately raw for the duration.

At first, I didn't notice any differences when I incorporated more raw foods in my diet. So, I naturally began going back to eating more cooked vegan foods....and some cheese. Then I began to notice the differences in my body!

Warning: Graphic!
Things I Noticed When I Ate More Cooked Foods: (i.e. things that disappeared when I ate raw)
--heartburn
--acid reflux
--shooting pains in uuper back and chest
--larger stools, with some bleeding during bowel movement
--increased body odor
--eating to finish meal, even when not hungry (stuffing myself)
--stretching/ripping sensation in the intestine area

So, now I am beginning to wonder exaclty which cooked foods cause some of these things to happen. I'm leaning toward thinking it has to do with dairy and breads, but I'm not sure yet.

At the moment, I'm not really eating much raw. On the last day of the challenge I was celebrating my birthday and I had a majority of cooked foods. I plan on getting back on track by mid-January. That is when I start my internship. I plan on having a green smoothie on the weekdays for breakfast and bringing a big salad for lunch everyday. I'm not sure what I'll do for my dinners yet. I don't want to plan too much, I'd rather start slow.

Dessert and Dinner

No guilt in eating my dessert first! I blended up about 1/2 of a bag of frozen organic mango(probably about 1 1/2 mango's worth) with about 1/2 cup of soy milk to make a delicious, creamy frozen dessert. I love this stuff, it is so good. If the mango pieces end up not being very ripe, I add a little agave nectar. Yum!




For dinner I made a very simple Okra and Tomatoes recipe that I found in my Good Housekeeping Cookbook. I didn't have any parsley or oregeno, so I used 1/2 t dried basil instead. Also, I used frozen okra, though the recipe calls for fresh. It turned out pretty tasty!

Okra with Tomatoes
prep: 20 min, cook: 35 min, makes 4 side servings
2 T olive oil
1 med. onion, chopped
1 sm. green pepper, chopped
1 stalk celery w/leaves, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 c water
1/2 t flour
1 can diced tomatoes
1 T chopped fresh parsley OR 1 t chopped fresh oregano
1/2 t salt
1/4 t coarsely ground black pepper
12 oz okra

--heat oil over med. heat, add onion, green pepper, celery and garlic, cook 15 mins.
--in sm. cup, blend water and flour
--stir in tomatoes w/juice, parsley, salt, black pepper and flour mixture. bring to boil then simmer w/lid for 15 mins.

Enjoy!

Monday's Menu

Breakfast (9:55a): scrambled tofu (red bell pepper, zucchini, onion, mushroom, fresh garlic and sage), orange juice

Lunch (2p): "soy"sauge w/chili powder, black pepper, onion, lettuce & cheese on whole wheat tortilla, raw broccoli, slightly stale but edible tortilla chips, salsa, soy milk, 2 waters, women's multivitamin

Yesterday I Ate

Breakfast(10:30a): coffee

Lunch(12p): 6" Jimmy Johns w/avacado, provolone, cucumber, tomato & lettuce, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, blue tortilla chips, spinach dip, carrots, snow peas, cherry tomatoes, lemonade

Snack(5:30p): 3 chocolate chip cookies, water

Dinner (7:30p): leftover lentils and risotto

Exercise: 6-mile bike ride

Things I Ate

I need to start making myself wake up a little earlier to get breakfast in...

Lunch (12:30p): leftover lentils w/spinach and garlic egg noodles, corn, orange juice

Snack (6p): string cheese, piece of swiss, triple berry muffin

Dinner (7p): broccoli, mushroom, onion, & spinach risotto, fire roasted tomato & olive oil triscuits, cream cheese, soymilk

Snack (10:15p): several spoons of natural peanut butter, a pear, 2 waters

Today's Menu

Lunch(12:45p): string cheese, peach soy yogurt, wild rice, couscous, a pear, orange juice, 2.5 waters

Dinner (7:30p): salad w/italian dressing, a lot of egg noodles w/garlic salt, pepper and country crock, natural boca chik patty w/champagne mustard & provolone on two 100% whole wheat, soymilk

Snack (8p): 2 triple berry muffins

I kinda mixed breakfast and lunch together today, I was in a rush this morning. Also, I think I'm going to go snack on some veggies now, because all I had was lettuce w/some carrot shavings....not exactly full of vitamins! And I think I'll throw in another piece of fruit too.

Food!

Breakfast (10:30a): 2 morning glory breakfast patties on 2 100% whole wheat bread, strawberries, string cheese, OJ

Lunch(12:30p): couscous w/ veg. boullion, broccoli, and spinach, soda

Dinner(7p): wild rice, pan fried breaded okra, lentils w/spinach, tomato, crushed red pepper, garlic and lemon juice, soymilk, water
(recipe for yummy lentils and spinach)
I usually don't get enough liquids or fruit, so I'm trying to keep myself accountable. Also, I work weird hours, and don't always remember to bring snacks or meals, so hopefully this can help me get a little more organized!

Snack (9p): Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream, a banana, water

Snack (1a): toasted cheese ravioli, spag. sauce