update on the garden - am off to tie up the tommys after i finish this uploading!




((())) fang :-)

Hi Mumma Bear,
WElcome,  
There is a great deal of information on this site which is valuable,and support that is invaluable; but if you are really really new to the fresh way of eating and have health and eating issues my strong recommendations are:

• read read read not only what is on this forum but many of the good books that are offered particularly those that deal with health,
  Get some really good recipe books from this site - Alissa Cohen's book, i'm sure that Jenergy can recommend some as well
  Take it one step at a time say introduce juices into your diet first; just one per day then add some greens to the juices then in a week or so add a smoothie, then add some salads then add some crackers, the sweets are yummy try them any time  
  Re the antidepressants: I'd suggest you go to Dr Fuhrman's web site and join it to read some medical advice from a doc who is a vegan and specializes in this stuff.  If you choose not to do this, then as you introduce the raw stuff slowly into your eating patterns over the next 12 months or so you will enjoy an improvement in your health and you will know when you no longer need them yourself, you wont need anyone to help you with this.  
  It is very easy to get led into things that whilst they are raw are not nutritionally balanced, with lapbanding it is important to ensure you follow a nutritionally balanced eating program.  So Alissa Cohens book deals with this as does Karen Knowler's web site

.  
STOP -- i hear you screaming too much info here.  Sorry, I do hope that this has not put you off but it is important for your long term rawness that you introduce yourself slowly - based upon the information that you have given here.  By doing this your rawness is assured.  If you do things too quickly the side effects of a raw food diet could be too much for you to sustain and the family to endure  
((()))Fang:-)

Hi RGG,
make sure you get that neck looked at as well.  will pm you.
Hope that you are ok today
((())) Fang:-)

Banana wrapped in lettuce leaves with a touch of macadamia nut paste
Delicious
((())) fang:-)

Hi Jen,
Just popped in to say H E L L OOOOooooooo,  have just come home from taking my graddaughter swimming today, she loved it.  She is such a placid one it is such a pleasure to look after her, my grand son is so hyper all the time it is hard work all the time. , that is why I wonder how he will go at school.............
you look great in the bike gear
((())) fang:-)

Yesterday
Raw foods today
swimming
1600m
Breakfast
1 liter of juices
watermelon with seeds
banana
Lunch
juice bought at market
sprouted grain bread x 2 slices and two pieces of Evans bread with jam[Health: not raw]

Dinner
smoothie
2 bananas
huge hand full of blue berries
lettuce and spinach
then
1 salada biscuits and Butter

macadamia nuts 4 with sultanas
then about midnight
4 slices of sprouted bread with mac paste and honey  [Health: not raw]


Breakfast
juice: carrot, celery, beetroot, apple

Lunch Grandies 1st birthday party,
coleslaw
Stavros' Big Greek Salad
Cashew creamy dressing
3 sushi rolls  [Health: not raw]

Dinner
watermelon
Banana, lettuce and raisins
5 almonds

felt tired all day today as if my system was under stress, after 3x bm I am feeling brighter and cleaner. The cabbage coleslaw has done the job. The sprouted bread is much easier to digest but I should still concentrate on just eating only one piece. 4 might have been a bit much
I had the most rotton sleep last night and am looking forward to going to sleep tonight.

Have had a big shift around this week at home, trying to create space from no space to put in my new fridge and keep the old in a place that is convenient but not in the way. 
It is great to have both fridges and have ample space to put stuff in that needs long term storage.  I was able to get some of the last spelt flour in the warehouse this week, I grind the grains and add a little white to bread but it needs to be stored in the fridge or weavels will get it as it is organic.  I now have a place to store it.  i am able to buy bulk carrots and bulk apples now YAYYY, makes life easier.
((())) Fang:-)

i used commercial vanilla essence (pure) will try it with vanilla bean another time. Oops, by the way, I meant that i used 1/2 cup of cashews, forgot to put the cup measurement into the recipe -
((())) Fang:-)

Have been carefully considering what i am doing and have decided to read more from Karen Knowler.  She seems to have a very level headed, balanced approach to raw foods.
 
Really, I have learned a lot from this site, but believe that i am missing something in my raw quest for better health.

Jen my nails are growing back, but are far from being beautiful, mind you I have never had hands of beauty, always strong working hands, but the issue with the nails was not the fact they were flaking, but WHY they were suddenly flaking.  The experts around me said that i needed more protein in my diet and that it was caused by a sudden change in my diet, I have been eating raw for 7 months now and cannot understand why suddenly this should happen.

 With this in mind I am considering getting advice from one of Karen's raw coaches on menu planning, diet, exercise effects and stresses on my body as well as some recipe coaching.  The one i have contacted has the facilities to work over the interned via email etc.  I think that in order to balance my diet somewhat better than i am and to enable me to STAY raw, her advice will be valuable. 

I do admire anyone who can eat mainly fruit, but I am sure that this is not an ideal situation for everyone, and I am sure, that unless this is carefully balanced then over long periods some mineral and trace element deficiencies can occur, and this should be watched carefully. 

Whilst i am not an advocate for the medical profession and science in all areas, there are many areas that they are far more knowlegable than we are, and their knowlege should be carefully and cautiously considered and applied where necessary.  I see many medical mistakes and hear of medical mishaps and side effects etc regularly in fact, on a daily basis, so I am very wary;  but their diagnositic skills can be good and the facilities such as blood tests etc are very useful tools for all of us to use.  I guess what i am saying, is that there are many effects of eating raw fruits over a long period of time on the body that may not manifest in the short term but later in life these could present a problem so caution needs to be exercised. 

It is fun to experiment with foods of all types and raw foods are brilliant as nature intended, and I love to eat raw, and will continue to do so, but with a more balance approach.
((())) to everyone
Fang:-)

Hi Jen, didn't recognise you in your new pic!
I can see in his character that he will not let much come in his path, he has so much energy and determination that will serve him well. Also forms a challenge for his mum!
Thank you for the encouraging story, there are many who have had feet problems that have played high level sport.  I am always encouraged when i hear of real life stories.
((())) fang :-)

Dear Berry,
hugs to Thomas, the body has a remarkable ability to heal when young and the pain will fade with the bruises. In a couple weeks he will be back to himself again.  and you will have the scars of the pain not him.  He will go on as if it never happened.  Kids are amazingly resilliant.  Appearances unfortunately are very important in our culture.
I do wonder how my little grandson will get on with his skinny little right leg and misshapen feet.  He also has a slight downs appearance but is not downs, I do wonder ...........
Have you watched the story of Ray Charles biography, brilliant and inspirational well worth a watch, if you get the time.
Went to the general store yesterday and noticed that there is a house for rent in Clarendon if you are interested 3 br and small acreage.  If you are interested and i can get the number for you.  It looks like  a private rental, that is if you are not moving to WA.
((())) Fang:-)

Well  done Christian   
all the best for the next session.

H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y   J E N

 


((())) FANG :-)

Hi BB,
how is your little chicken, the one who had the operation? I do hope he is doing well.

CarmieJ, my pastelli was not crisp but the flavour was delicious who needed crispness, it did make a lot, if i can suggest making a 1/2 or 1/4 recipe first time, then if you dont like it it is not expensive to chuck-
((())) frang

Hey Jen, how long are you fasting for?
((())) frang

Niqi,
you could also try lots of vegetable juices as well, between meals, even for your little princess they will help her recovery.  They are easy to digest, convert quickly and are quik and convenient as well.
((())) frang