2 weeks and surviving.

Today marks day 14.

I am really enjoying the new lifestyle.  It is very refreshing to consume food and drinks that do not weigh me down and make me feel lethargic.

I'm going to start posting the list of food I really enjoy.  In the future, I'll add photographs and recipes.

A few of my favorite meals are:

1.  Popeye Passion Smoothie
2. Veggie wraps
3. Marinated Portobello Mushrooms with Cauliflower mash
4. Sprouted Grain sandwiches
5. Raw Almonds with dates
6. Raw oats soaked in Almond milk

Ingredients I enjoy, are
Tomato
Romaine Lettuce
Hummus
Avocado
Cucumber
Celery
Swiss Chard
Kale
Spinach
Fresh Pressed Apple Juice
Collard Greens
Nori
Cauliflower
Portobello Mushrooms
Almonds
Dates
Cranberries
Raw honey
Soy sauce
Tahini
Sesame seeds.
Almond milk
Garlic
Rosemary

With these few ingredients,  one can great various recipes.

My first fave is Hummus.
I put this on bread or on my lettuce wraps.

1 can of chick peas (drained and rinsed very well) (this is the one canned item I will buy)
1 garlic clove minced
a table spoon of rosemary
2 table spoons of Tahini
Olive Oil
soy sauce

I drain the chick peas for at least 10 minutes under cold water.
In my food processor with an S blade,  I add the chick peas, garlic, rosemary, tahini,  a few dashes of soy sauce and about 2 table spoons of olive oil.

I then process all of this until the Hummus is thoroughly mixed and fine.  I don't like hummus being too thin so I watch the mixture and keep scraping the sides of my bowl,  blending everything in well.  I continue to add Olive Oil until the texture is perfect.

Once processed,  I put the Hummus into a Mason Jar.  This makes for easy access when I'm in a rush.

Happy Raw living..

Heidi

Day 10 part 2

I think I'll be caught up after this blog post.

So today was pretty standard,  I was craving some potato  chips.. as everybody knows, I am a chip freak. I love the stuff.. I did go down to the vending machine and grabbed a packet of Dorito's..  YUCK they were horrible.   So I will not be doing that again.

Breakfast is pretty standard,  It is always water and a smoothie.  For my snack, I did something very different.  I've been reading about Medjool dates, I haven't found any locally but did find some that didn't have too much sugar..  I cut the date in half then insert an almond into it.. they taste pretty good.

Lunch was my sprouted grain bread with Avo and greens.

Dinner tonight was a lightly grilled portobello mushroom sandwich, followed by a strawberry, black berry and spinach smoothie..

I'm going to be looking for some nori this weekend.  It'll be a great alternative for warps / sandwiches without the calories.

I found this video by Diana Stobo with some ideas for raw alternatives to sushi.

Raw Food day 10

Firstly, I apologise for not posting over the weekend or yesterday.

Saturday I went down to New Orleans for the night.  I knew I would have a difficult time of eating raw while there.  So I decided, I would eat in moderation and make sure my next meal would once again be raw.

Saturday morning the routine was normal, Lemon water, Popeye Passion Smoothie,  An early lunch of Ezekial Sprouted Grain bread with hummus, Shredded Carrots and spinach.  I packed a ziploc back of Raw almonds for the drive down.

We ate a late lunch of Fried Cod and French fries. I did drink 2 Coors Light.  I was pretty loopy after the 2 drinks.

Sunday breakfast was Lemon water,  we then went to a little hole in the wall breakfast place and ate a Sausilito omelette, basically an egg and spinach omelette. I had a slice of whole grain bread.

Lunch on Sunday was Romaine Lettuce wraps with Cucumber, Avocado, hummus, spinach.   I had dinner with friends on Sunday, I ended up with a green salad with lemon juice over.

Monday Breakfast was Lemon water,  Strawberry, Black berry and Apple Juice smoothie.
Snack was Almonds w/ dates
Lunch was 2 slices of Sprouted Grain bread, Avocado, spinach, carrots
Snack Almonds alone
Dinner was Sushi with friends. 1. Vegetable roll ( Asparagus, Cucumber, Avocado, Shredded carrots) 2. Human Torch Rolls (Crawfish w/ Avocado topped with Roe.

I have increased my intake of water over the last week. I'm currently drinking about 8 cups a day.

I'm feeling better,  I sleep well at night.

I feel I can do this with the occasional cooked food incorporated. This is much easier than I thought it would be.

Let's see what the  rest of the week holds.

Heidi. 

Raw Food Day 5

Friday made day 5 on this adventure.

As usual,  Breakfast,  was water and the Popeye passion smoothie.  It really looks horrid but it is probably the most refreshing drink you'll ever have in your life.  

My snack was Almonds and I took some dates also.  I wasn't hungry for lunch but had extra  smoothie so I drank that..  I did manage a few glasses of water. Which was good.  I wasn't hungry but knew I needed to eat something.. I bought some Ezekiel sprouted grain bread,  had that with hummus, carrots and Spinach..  A sandwich of that and a few grapes after  were great.  

I really felt like I hit a roadblock on Friday.  I was tired,  grumpy, lethargic and I had a headache.  I almost gave in and went to get a coke downstairs but decided against it..   I went to bed early, around 9PM or so.  waking up this morning I feel amazing.  

That was day 5..

My biggest challenge starts now,  I'll be going into New Orleans today.  I'm sure we will be eating somewhere.. Lets see how this goes.. I'll report back tomorrow when I get home.  

Goodbye Day 5, I'm over you..

Raw Food Day 4

OMG this was the most difficult day so far.

I overslept and didn't have my water w/ lemon.  I did however have my Popeye passion smoothie.. It helped some.

I got to work dived in an was craving something warm,  I dashed down to the coffee place and had a Hot Chai tea..  It tasted horrible.  But I drank it.. I also got a bran muffin.  It was horrid.

I forgot lunch today, I know I know.. failing to prepare etc..  But had my raw oats and almonds.. I really wasn't hungry so I munched that.. Oh I did manage to bring another Popeye Passion smoothie to work and drank that around 2PM or so..

Dinner was another Smoothie, Strawberries, Black Berries and Almond milk.  I wasn't in the mood for anything heavy..

I have to say this,  I am not hungry,  I don't feel the need to constantly eat while I'm doing this.

I do have to remember to drink more water.  One of the things I loved about bottles of water,  I had them sitting there as a constant reminder to drink more.

Day 4 done. Thank goodness.

Day 3

This seems to be getting easier.  Or maybe my head is finally managed to find it's way around all of this.

I'm feeling pretty good,  my skin feels great,  I don't feel puffy etc.. I do have to drink more water though,  I'm not drinking enough I think.

My morning routine is the same,  Water w/ Lemon, Popeye Passion smoothie. I made a bit extra and took some in a Mason jar to work for around 2:30PM.  I was dragging a bit, drank that and felt wonderful.

Lunch was  salad again. 

Snacks were almonds and Raw Oats.

Dinner was interesting.  

I decided to do the Raw Wrap.

I did not buy collard greens over the weekend  so decided to experiment with Romaine Lettuce (Iceberg might be good here).. they don't work as great, but they're not bad.. 

I made Hummus (canned chick peas).

Can low sodium chickpeas (drained well and rinsed)

Dash Garlic / rosemary (I made a bit of this when I prepared my cauliflower  mash the other day)

2 tablespoons tahini

1 squeezed lemon
Olive Oil

I put this in the food processor till it was finely chopped.

I washed my lettuce leaves 

Sliced some carrots, celery and avocado.

I smeared the hummus down the center,  then placed the other ingredients over it..  I added a bit of salt and pepper and folded my lettuce into wraps.. They were bloody yummy..  I made 4  and ate that.. I decided I wanted another.  These were so good. I plan on making some for work tomorrow.  Fresh hummus is really delicious.

Raw food, Day 2

Day Two arrived and I was apprehensive..  Most diets I tend to lose interest after 2 - 3 days.. But i'm rather excited about this.. So we'll see what happens..

Breakfast was the Popeye Passion Smoothie.  Nubian told me it pepped her up.. I thought ya OK  we'll see.  Let me tell you, at 09:00 I went to the hospital for my normal rounds..  My mind was alert,  I was keyed up.  This was the feeling I had after a large PJ's Cappuccino.  Even our PA noticed and was amazed.  So,  Popeye Smoothie for breakfast everyday. This works.

 My snack was 1.5 cups of raw almonds. Lunch consisted of  a salad (Spinach, Celery, strawberries, dried cranberries and avo.  I put a serving of raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette dressing.  I know, I know.. no processed foods, but I'm still  learning about all of this..  I'll do better in a week or so.

After lunch snack was the Raw Oats w/ Almond Milk.. I cannot tell you how much I love this snack. It is filling, tastes wonderful, so much better than cooked Oats.

Dinner was a grilled Portobello Mushroom w/ Cauliflower mash.. This is going to be one of my absolutely fave meals I can tell. I marinated the  mushroom in soy sauce w/ garlic and vinegar.. then lightly grilled it..  The cauliflower mash was what was left over from yesterday's lunch.

Tonight's snack will probably be some fruit.

After just a few days, I can truly feel a difference.  My face feels smoother, I'm more alert and not prone to that 2:30 snooze.

My thought for today:  I can do anything if I enjoy it..

Monday - Day 1

This morning, I woke up super excited about my new adventure.

Today was much easier than I thought it would be. I did not sleep as well as I thought I would so ended up dragging some serious ass to get out of bed. Once I was up and at them, the very first order of the day was a glass of water with freshly squeezed lemon. Since I have started drinking this as I wake up, I very seldom crave coffee.

Breakfast was a Smoothie consisting of:
1. Banana
2. A hand full of Black Berries
3. A hand full of Blue Berries
4. A cup or so of Almond milk

I drank this while catching up on e-mails etc.

I was perfectly satisfied with that. Off to work, by the time I had finally settled into my office, got my work for the day it was 10:30. Typically I would drink 2 bottles of water, but I'm trying to do my part for the environment so no bottles of water, off to the water cooler.. Yuck.

A snack of Raw Oats soaked in Almond Milk was very very yum. Lunch followed. Lightly grilled Portobello Mushroom Cauliflower mashed with garlic and rosemary (I pity anybody that came into my office after lunch). This was very very very freaking yummy. More water. Then an afternoon snack of raw Almonds.. No, not lightly salted, lightly roasted.. Raw. I've been eating these for a few months, and love them.

I came home from work and was totally wiped out for some reason.. A little 2 hour nap took place. I woke up and wasn't hungry at all, my stomach felt a little empty, I knew if I did not eat I would wake up starving.

I love smoothies, since I discovered them a few years ago, I can truly have them for Breakfast, lunch and supper.

Tonight it consists of.
Fresh Strawberries
2 Banana's
Spinach
Fresh pressed Applejuice.

I have a few photographs.. I'll post these later in the week.

It is 9pm, I'm sipping my smoothie.. My raw oats are soaking in Almond milk.

After today, I really do realize that old saying "Failing to plan is planning to fail". I prepared all my food (except smoothies) the day before. This made it easier for me to grab things out of the fridge and pack into my bag for work.

On that note, my smoothie is finished, my stomach is filled and I'm a happy camper.
Happy Raw Food day 1..

Post shopping experimenting

I bought tons of yummy fresh fruit and veggies and now comes the experimenting.
Since I am by no means a cook, I struggle greatly with cooking meals for myself.

When I was married, he was very easy to cook for. Pasta, Jambalaya, Stew (yuck), grilled chicken / pork chops / sausage, etc. You get the idea. Me being pickier and wanting to be healthier, I have a rather difficult time with food. I like most people, think eating Raw means salads exclusively. Big mistake.

Thank you to an online book "12 ways to Supercharge your Health with Raw Foods" I found a great alternative to tortilla(flour) wraps. Who would have thought Collard Greens can be used?? This is a link to how to make them.. Raw Collard Wraps I could not find collard greens so I used Romaine Lettuce, Sliced Avocado, Baby Spinach, sliced cucumber and carrots. roll them up and yay a wrap. Another Raw Collard Wrap

Dinner will be lightly grilled Portobello Mushroom and Mashed cauliflower. My apartment reeks of garlic.

Grocery Shopping

I decided this Raw Food diet starts seriously tomorrow morning.

I went grocery shopping for my fruit and veggies today.

A great snack, which Diana Stobo recommends is raw oats, soaked in almond milk. I bought Better Oats Bare. I soaked it in a cup of Vanila Almond Milk over night. I had that as a snack before going to grocery shop.. IT is freaking yummy. I will start preparing this for my daily snack at work.

A box contains 5 pouches for $1.25 a box. Not bad for a very good snack.

I bought Romaine Lettuce to make wraps for lunch. I will be preparing Zucchini hummus and some guacamole to go with the wraps.

The beginning

This is my journey into living a life consuming raw food.

A number of months ago, I found Diana Stobo online. I immediately started reading a few things about her life, her choices and why she has chosen a life of Raw food.

I was inspired and this is the start of my journey.

My goals:

1. To lose weight
2. To feel healthy
3. To have a lifestyle that is as pure and free of processed foods as possible
4. To inspire others to live this life.