May 16th marks the one year anniversary for me when I decided, cold turkey, to be raw vegan. Transitioning to a new diet or lifestyle does take time, and I realize that I am part of a minority of people who are able to do something so drastic essentially overnight. I do not recommend doing it overnight to 90% of people, simply because 90% of people will fail. Although I have been committed 100% (honestly) to the raw vegan diet since last May, I would not say that it was without its failures, and I would not say that it was without its transitions.
In April of 2010 I became a (selective) vegetarian. I overhauled my diet to cut out ALL red meat and occasionally (once/month or less) indulged in fish or chicken. It was purely for health reasons. (Read my About Me for a more in depth explanation.) In the spring of 2011 I discovered and read more about the raw food diet (eating food that has not been heated about 115 degrees F) and decided that after I got back from our honeymoon, I was on board. I knew enough about the diet that I wanted to do it 100%; the benefits of uncooked food, getting the full spectrum of vitamins and minerals, cutting out all animal products, it all makes sense to me. The problem was that I still was fighting food addictions (chocolate, sweets, rich foods) which contradicted my new plans to eat a plant based diet. To bridge the gap between my old food habits and my new food goals, I started eating what is commonly known as the "gourmet raw diet."
If you look back at when I started this blog (right when I started eating raw), you can tell that I was elated with excitement about recreating my "old" foods in the raw....raw cake, raw pies, raw pizza, raw burgers, raw breads, raw chocolate etc. The problem with my "perfect" diet was that I was getting over 70% of my calories from fat. I was replacing animal products with a plethora of nuts and seeds and I was making disastrous food combinations: a perfect formula for weight gain and indigestion. Sure, I got some satisfaction from eating raw, but it didn't take long for me to feel heavy, uncomfortable, and not myself. Something wasn't right. Despite not feeling great, I still was very convinced that the raw food diet was right, and the problem was with how I was doing it.
That was when I met Lara. Lara is a strong-willed, opinionated woman who, like me was not feeling complete with her raw foods diet. She, like me, had committed 100% to gourmet raw and had delighted in recreating "old" foods, and had fallen off the wagon when she realized it wasn't sustaining her. She, like me, knew that the problem lay in how she was doing it, not in the food. She then gave me the greatest insight into life and health: the 80-10-10 Diet by Dr. Doug Graham. This way of eating (80% carbs, 10% fat, 10% protein) is the ideal combination of calo-nutrients. It is a delicious, fool-proof way of eating. It is the way we are all designed to eat.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It has given me a fearless way of approaching food, it has given me the confidence to make food decisions that only nourish me. It is essentially a Fruitarian diet, with lots of vegetables and greens, and minimal nuts, seeds, and avocados.Even though May marks my 1 year anniversary to my commitment to eat raw, I think of September 7th, 2011, the day that I committed to 80-10-10 all the way, as a much more outstanding anniversary. Every physical ailment that has ever plagued me has been lifted and my life has improved in other measurable ways. I think clearer, my nails are stronger, my face doesn't break out, I feel lighter, I have more energy, I feel more positive, I am definitely more spiritual, and feel more aligned than ever before that what I am doing is having a positive effect on the environment, on people around me, and to the animals that we share our world with. My digestion is near perfect; I can literally feel how clean I am on the inside. The most amazing thing about this way of eating however, has been my recovery time. After a work out, I feel the usual muscle fatigue, but after eating sugary sweet juicy fruit and staying hydrated, I am ready in 24 hours for another perfect workout.
I know that I have written in past posts about awesome dehydrated recipes that I have made, and they no doubt were tasty, BUT a pizza is a pizza is a pizza. A burger is a burger is a burger. It doesn't matter if it's meaty, cooked, vegetarian, raw, whatever. You can't make a non-health food a health food, it doesn't work like that.
Nearly all fruit has the perfect ratio of carbohydrates (energy, glucose), protein, and fat. It is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. There really is NOTHING in animal products that you cannot get in more bio-available forms of plant foods. The trick is in eating ENOUGH. Since September I have trained myself to look at 5 mangoes as a meal. I usually start my day with one fruit (eat one fruit til I'm full), eat another fruit for lunch, snack on dates in between, and make a huge salad for dinner. That is how I have been eating since September 7th. Tomatoes and peaches were in season then which was glorious. Then I used bananas and dates as my staple through the winter. Now it is Spring and I am enjoying mangoes, berries, and pineapple. There are infinite kinds of fruit, and no two mangoes are the same! Every bite is a delicious adventure. And the best part? I am not giving up anything. I am indulging every day in ripe, sugary sweet fruit, I feel light and full of energy, my digestion and recovery are near perfect, I get creative with my dressings, I eat what is in season, and I eat real food. Food that can be eaten as is, without cooking, spicing, or processing. Food that has an expiration date in less than a month. It is simple. It is beautiful.
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