Wow, we were going to go away for the Easter break, but now are seriously considering staying until after the picnic. 

Jungle Jane, where are you in Brissy?  If it rains, we may be able to swing round and pick you up- or is the picnic cancelled with rain?  We could probably hold it at our house if it did rain...

Looking forward to meeting Sheryl and Piers.  Was beginning to believe you didn't really exist ha ha ha.

X

B

Wow, so many ways I'd like to contribute here!

Is there any society outside of our western priveleged one living as raw vegans?  This would be my NUMBER ONE reason for 'failing'.  I love being raw, but I can cycle down to the shops any time and buy any number of fruits that are out of season.  What if I was living off the land?

My plan is to try to produce or trade for everything I need in my raw diet.  Is this possible in ANY climate, or only tropical ones?  Sometimes I worry that raw is a very western yuppie kind of thing (not exactly that, but I'm trying to make a point), and in a huge percentage of the world, people would eat ANYTHING offered, so why are we arguing over raw?  We should all be amazingly grateful just to be in a position to make such a choice.

100% raw has and continues to be brilliant for me, but with the world around us the way it is, it seems a bit insular to be speaking of successes and failures, doesn't it?  (I'm honestly asking, not being smart.).  

Happy Birthday, Brett!  How's your raw ecological footprint going?

B

Been thinking of you a lot.  I did so much reading that I was sure I was going to be the perfect earth mother, and I couldn't believe the pain of improper breastfeeding!  Especially since the first two days had been fine, then I guess my less-than-optimal technique started taking effect.  I used the Aveda breastpump that most mums use, but the first one I used was with the lactation consultant (she advised drawing off some milk so the breast wasn't so turgid for feeding), and her pump was much less delicate.  For some reason, that really helped, getting to see just how far in the nipple can be taken (a lot!  Would have attacked any man who had tried to do that ha ha!), and it was a real turning point.  Then I went on to breastfeed 4 years consecutively, tandem feeding along the way. 

Please write if you have any questions or need any support.  I'm sure you're doing amazingly!  Well done!!!!

WHERE do I get one of those singlets???

I love it!

And Neet, you look absolutely amazing.  Talk about a great advert for raw.

B

Thanks, fruits'n'shoots!

I wasn't going to post an avatar until I grow another foot and suddenly morph into a bronzed greek goddess, but as I said to Neet, I really enjoy seeing people's faces, so here I am!  Ha ha!

Thanks, jennie, I love your new avatar, too!

This has REALLY got me thinking that I need to forage around.  I know there are plenty of lillypillies-yuck.  I'm sure I could find a macadamia, but it really doesn't feel as though people in the area of Brisbane that I live plant many edible things.  Hang on!  I remember seeing some fly-infested guava!  Oh, yummy!!!!

Someday, I am going to plant so many fruit trees in the community I choose.  Here, I have them all in my garden, on the nature strip, etc, natives, african, south american, all edible.  And the usual response I get from people?  "Oh, but doesn't it make a mess, all that fruit dropping?"

Hey, Jenniem, I didn't know you were a Brisbanite!

Looking forward to meeting you!!

B

I've read the same thing about the beetroot in Boutenko's book.  Before I started green smoothies seriously, I drank a beetroot based smoothie, and the next day, my poos were stained pinkish.  Interesting the next time I had a beetroot smoothie was after a few days of GS's and the difference was very noticeable, couldn't tell I'd had beetroot. 

My sister works with people with pelvic floor probs and bowel probs.  She has a chart that patients need to tick showing 7 different kinds of stools.  Interestingly, 3 of those pictures are considered normal!  I am DEFINITELY ticking a different picture since going raw (happily, the one I think should eb the ONLY 'normal' one).

Hi, CanadianRawGirl.

I have a husband and two little boys, and I am spending about $250-300 per week.  I buy almost all organic.  My children eat a lot of fruit (so do I).  My husband and I both do the green smoothies, and I try to buy enough to make raw dinners for him and myself.  The kids aren't quite there yet with the dinners...So I plan on at least 2 'gourmet' meals per week, 2 desserts (i.e. pies or cheesecake or ice cream), enough for green smoothies everyday, salads everyday, and fruit for all of us all through each day.

Where are you planning to move to? 

Hooray, Emma, you're  legend!!!! 
I've emailed Clare, I'll see if she's coming.

XXX

B

I'll be thinking of you guys.  Maybe in another year, I'll be there, too!  Tell you what, we'll build special guest accomodation on our property so our raw food friends can stay the weekend instead of driving long distances and being exhausted.  Then it can be a raw weekend!!!

XX

Blythe

Do you think we could try to get an idea of who will be going?  I don't want to be the only person to turn up, and I am sure my family would like to go elsewhere if it's a no-goer.

Out of the 7 people who showed last time, one is probably still travelling up north, Cantrekker may not be able to make it, Emma and her partner drove up from the coast , don't know if they'll make it, and the rest of us were newbies. 

I'm happy to get along if there is enough interest, but I get the impression that if Piers and Sheryl don't go, other people choose not to either. 
Let me know.

Blythe

OK, let me know when you have an opinion.  I HATE the plastic smell my kids' water gets in the soft plastic bottles.  I'd really like glass, bit fragile, though...

I always refill my bottled water bottles.  I read on an emergency site that none of us have any excuse not to be prepared for disaster water-wise when we can all refill any plastic soft drink bottle with tap water and it will remain drinkable. 

We have a property in Tasmania with an abundance of thistles.  Does anyone know if they can be blended in a green smoothie, and what about the prickles?  Do they need to be removed first?

I am sure SOMEthing can be done with the thistles.  Herbalists use it (St Mary's Thistle, I think).  Horrible things to try to remove, very prickly.

Andreas, where are you getting your seeds from?  Internet?  What should I google?