Hey Shauna thanks for the post.  I am much better this week, more time to focus on myself and my little family.  Yesterday I just had fruit and smoothies all day and a salad a very very green salad for dinner and I feel good today.  Although I am quite tired, I went for a run on Monday morning (only a short one but there was lots of sweat in this heat) and again last night, so I think my body is tired from that, it will take a while to get fit and used to it. I did feel really good last night after I got back though.

You are probably right about the water.  Must try and drink more.
My littel girl is unwell at the moment which depresses me.  I try so hard to make my kids as healthy as possible.  She's had a high temp for 48 hrs, and thats all no, other symptons.  She is cooler today but very very tired, but eating so hopefully her little body has been able to fight off what ever it was.

Yes, I love the mung beans, is it the heat that makes them sprout so quickly?  My alfalfa seems to be coming along OK on the paper, I've got it on a sunny bench and the little leaves have gone green this morning its magic to see.  I know what you mean about the sunflower sprouts, I haven't tried any yet.  Do you get the seeds from the health food shop?  I soaked some that I bought at the supermarket a few weeks ago.... the chooks enjoyed them.  Yuck how have we evolved into a civilisation that puts up with this rubbish. 
Actually I have some old dead sunflowers in the garden I should sprout their seeds.  If I am allowed.  My daughter governs the sunflowers.

Off to have a big glass of water.
MS

I've just had a really busy week with visitors and not a lot of time to write in my journal.  I've been a bit up and down this week.  Too busy to stay organised and getting tired and reaching for the sugar.  But I am trying to stay focused and considering the week I have had I think I have done pretty well.

I have had really sore mouth ulcers all week which have been very annoying.  I am hoping that its just something being detoxed out of my body, rather than a deficiency.  I haven't have a litre of smoothy every day, and I think I am missing that.  And I had really bad headache on wednesday again, after netball tues night. 

So I need to listen to my body a bit more and eat less and exercise more!! 

On the sprout front, my alfalfa sprouts didn't work too well, I might try growing them on absorbent paper next time or get a sprout bag.  My mung beans were great.  and my wheat grass is coming along well, its about 5cm high.  Today I am soaking some brown rice to see what that will be like sprouted, more mung beans and some more wheat.
MS

Hi Emily,
I am pretty new here too, three weeks. Don't give up.  Allow yourself to feel like crap, be grumpy, and stay away from people that will mock what you are trying to do, but don't give up.  And keep eating.  I felt awful to the point that my husband was yelling at me that "this diet is making you worse, not better!!!"  But it got better.  And we can both see now that I am feeling good, and am happy and motivated, and a much better person to live with than I was before.  I try and stay as raw as possible but am kind to myself and am just feeling my way.  some days I am 100% other days I feel like I need some protein.

Keep reading, this forum, books on raw diets etc and try and try and keep yourself motivated. I put myself under a lot of pressure to begin with, and was a bit stressed about it all.  But have found that if I eat something dodgy (like icecream on the weekend) I take note of how I feel afterward, which I did on the weekend and it wasn't good, so it will be a long time before I am going to want to eat that again.  But now I know, had I not had it I would probably still be sitting here wishing I could have some.

And I just got some really good advice posted on my journal today about taking it in small steps, and be kind to yourself.
Goodluck with it.
Greenmum.
PS I felt really really awful for about the first 2 and a half weeks and then it all seemed to click.

Hi Nudgy and Raw Green Godess, thanks for the posts.  Nudgy, thankyou for your advice it's really appreciated.  I find it quite humbling to know there are people out there that know and care about how I am going with all this. It makes me feel good.  I am feeling good about how far I have come, but know I still have a long way to go.  But like you said Nudgy, small steps....  I am concentrating on one day at a time.

I am not really missing any junk food.  I am concentrating really hard on listening to my body.  I know from my experience on the weekend that wheat is out, I still don't think my digestive system has recovered...  and I just try and assess how I feel after eating things.  Making sure I give what I have eaten time to digest before having anything else.

On the fitness side of things I have had to go on a small short walk the last 2 mornings because I had one of the kids with me but at least I got up, which is a huge improvement.

My sprouts are coming along, had mungbeans in my salads today, the alfalfa still needs some more time might put it in the sun for a little while tomorrow and my wheat is ready to plant, after soaking for 2 days.  I cleaned out my pantry today, and exterminated several generations of weevils and the chooks got a feast.  I now have lots of space and containers to store some seeds and nuts etc.

Must get some sleep now.  I am loving that I get into bed and just fall asleep.  Instead of lying there for hours and hours.  I must write a list of all the benefits I have felt so far on my raw journey... tomorrow.
MS

My week started off so well and then, spiralled out of control.  But yesterday I got up and went on my walk/run.  At the moment it is a walk with a little running, soon it will be a run with a little walking!  It was a good day and today has been good to, although not very raw.  But that's OK, tomorrow is markets day again and I'll be back on track.  Have already planned what we're eating for the week.  melchoir_magik to answer your question:  I go to the growers markets in Midland, near the town hall on Sunday mornings. I used to got to the one that burnt down, and I also went to the little one in Kalamunda too, I tried to support those guys when they first started but they are a bit too expensive, especially now I'm mostly raw.  But I occasionally get a bunch of organic greens there, they had some nice kale last week.  I don't necessarily eat organic fruit and Vege, I know I should, but living on one income we have to make the $$$ go as far as they can.  And I try and shop locally, ie without getting in the car. Except of course the sunday sojourn to the markets.

I have decided this week that I need to have a bit of cooked protein, maybe not every day but at least every second.  So I think the best time to have that will be lunch time in a huge salad and then have a small meal for dinner, as early as I can.  I had wheat today for the first time in a few weeks and that really zapped my energy, that gluten must be a shocker to digest.  I bought some Essene bread, not really raw I know but nutritionally very good, and I sliced some up and dried them to make crackers.  I ate just a couple and felt really really full.  So will be eating those very rarely...

I bought some organic wheat to try and grow some wheat grass, today, and I am also sprouting some alflafa and mung beans.  Have had success with mung beans two weeks ago, but its my first try at alfalfa and wheat grass.  I'll keep you posted on how it goes.  I've heard other poeple get sick of growing wheat grass because you need so much to get a shot of juice, but I am going to give it a try, its so nutritionally dense.... we'll see.
Hope everyone out there in this lovely community has a good Australia Day.
MS

Well two good days in a row was a great but I didn't make it to three.  Yesterday was so hot and I did a little bit too much out in the sun and then played netball.... it was asking a bit too much of my body I think. Not quite fit enough yet.  So today I had a headache and was grumpy and impatient this morning.  Rested most of the day.  It is also wednesday and time to restock the fruit and vege.  That didn't happen.  But will get onto it tomorrow.  And I haven't made any sprouts this week yet, so must get onto that too.

Not a lot to say for today, heres hoping tomorrow is better.
MS

Oh My God Catwomyn, we are so similar.  I also suffer from depression.  It wasn't until I had babies and it got labled as "post natal" depression that I did anything about it, or was forced to anyway, apart from a bit of progesterone cream I have got out of it all naturally.  Twelve months ago i got really inspired by my sister to get fit, and that was a really happy time, I was eating well, and running lots. 

But 2007 was a shocker lots went wrong and by the end of it I found myself back in the duldrums, hence the move to go raw and do something about it.  Today (three weeks and one day of raw) is the happiest, most motivated day I have had for about 9 months.  I feel really good.  I just wrote on my journal what I had to eat today.  But apart from eating well I think the best thing you can do for depression is exercise, which is of course the very last thing you feel like doing, and it is the hardest thing to try and get yourself out that door, when you can't even get out of bed.  But it is soooo worth it.  Give it a try Get up early and go for a walk.  I am not very fit at the moment but I try and raise a sweat, not at all hard when its so hot here, If you try and do something every second day and for a while it might just make you feel more tired, keep at it, after a couple of days it will make you feel good. really Good and HAPPY.
All the Best
MS

Today has been my best so far..... by far!  I woke up before my alarm, feeling fresh and calm (I have never been a morning person and usually sleep through the alarm and get dragged out of bed by hungry children, that have been nagging me for half an hour to get up, eventually I do, feeling tired and grumpy, well thats how it used to be).  So if anyone ever asks me how long it takes to feel good my answer will be about three weeks, thats with exercise which makes a big difference.
Today I have had energy but the exciting part for me was I felt really motivated to get stuff done.  I had a zest that has been absent from my person for a very long time. I hope it lasts.

Today I have eaten: fruit salad for breakfast, mangoe, peach, pineapple, banana.  Loving summer, dread the day that these fruits won't be available (fresh that is).  a few hours later I had some watermelon.   couple more pieces of fruit during the morning that my son started and then didn't finish.
I was quite hungry by lunchtime today and had a big salad, made double so I could have more for dinner.  At about 3pm I made a big snack (to fuel up for netball tonight) two bananas sliced with two tablespoons of LSA sprinkled over them and drizzled with honey, it was quite delicious.
Dinner was another salad at about 5.30pm and after netball at about 8.30 I had two smoothies and am ready for bed...

It was really really hot here today and netball was very sweaty.  So am hoping that I will still wake up headache free.  I have had heaps of water.

Something else I did today was a bit of baking for my kids (they are only about 50% raw) and I thought I would give in and have a muffin, but I wasn't even tempted.  But I have had a lot to eat today, might have been different if I was really hungry.  But it does make me think that at this stage I must be getting everything my body needs because so far (and I know this my change) I am not craving anything, nor am I thinking about food.
Must get some sleep
MS

Hi Catwowyn,
Wow, three weeks, you and I are at about the same place, I've almost made 3 weeks.  I am yet to know how it affects my cycle but will be very interested I have had the odd hormone problem too.  And heavy heavy achey periods.  So hopefully this will sort it out.

I also wrote a message similar to yours, last week about how long it takes to feel good!  I was getting a bit impatient.  I found that once I got some good sleep, ate a bit more fruit during the day (I wasn't eating enough) I have started to feel a bit better.  I feel good today, but I haven't had two good days in a row yet, when that happens I'll be happy.
Hang in there
MS

Hello Wren, Are you in the UK?  Have you been Raw for long?  If so have you noticed any great benefits? 
I have felt great today, I got out of bed early for a change, had about a kilo of watermelon for breakfast!  I had a pretty busy day away from home today so fortunatley I took a couple of pieces of fruit with me, but I didn't get a chance to have lunch and got home hot and tired with two grumpy children at 3.30. But I still felt good!!  And then I just had some more fruit and a big salad for dinner at about 5pm when the kids had theirs.  And I had a smoothie tonight when my husband got home.  baby carrots with their tops, pineapple and apple with lots of ice it was very refreshing.

Today has been quite an intersting lesson for me.  Prior to my new Raw life if I went without food for that long (particularly on a hot day) I would almost certainly have a headache by the afternoon.  My blood sugar levels are (make that were) quite sensitive, coffee would also often give me a headache if I had it on an empty stomach and I had one today, with a friend I hadn't seen for a while (I have allowed myself these little occasional exceptions). Right when I was feeling like I really needed to eat.  And tonight there is no headache!

I have sufferred from migraines all my life, I remember getting then as an eight year old!!! and no doctor, naturopath, oesteopath, chiropractor, hormone expert, no one has been able to tell me why, or come even close to finding a solution.  I play a lot of sport and after netball every week I usually have a headache the next day, sometimes its so bad I can't do anything (depends how fit I am) and it is always worse in summer when it is hot, so must be dehydration related.  The last two weeks I have had a smoothy after the netball game and have not woken up the next day with a headache.  And now today I didn't get one, it is looking very good!  I am quite excited boaut this, that alone is enough to make me stick to the Raw Diet.  So if anyone out there reading this notices that I am losing track at some point just remind me how bad my headaches were!!

All the best.
MS

Hi Melchoir_magik, Thanks for writing to me.  It is lovely to know that there is someone so close by on a similar journey.  How long have you been raw?  I have waivered this weekend a little, but am back on track today.  It is just a case of being organised, something, I wasn't by the end of last week.

I can't make it to the picnic today either.  But would love to go to one at some stage.

My garden sadly, doesn't look like that today.  I did plant some seeds last week, I too am busting to pick my own and make a home grown smoothie.  My seeds havn't germinated because it is impossible to keep them moist in this heat.  I'll have to raise some seedlings inside and then plant them out.  But on a positive note, greens are easy to grow, I've found.  We didn't have much success with beans and tomatoes last year, I think our vege patch is a bit nitrogen heavy, which greens love.
If you need some gardening advice, let me know. 

Back ot my journal...
Went on a 6km walk yesterday which set me up for a good day. This morning was interrupted by that same 2 year old that is often responsible for my sleep deprivation.  But it was lovely waking up to a cuddle from him all the same. Even if it did mean I couldn't go on my walk.  I'll try and go this evening when it cools down a bit.
Went to the farmers markets this morning and stocked up on fruit and vegies, loads and loads of them.  My husband came with me today and was in awe of the amount we chew through!  I haven't mentioned that it1 will probably only last until wednesday. The last two weeks I have had to do a second shop on wednesdays.

I am going to look into going to the wholesalers markets early in the morning, have any Perth Raw Foodies been out to the Canningvale markets?  I am not sure if they sell to the public or not.  But am hoping to be able to buy some trays of mangoes and peaches and things that are in season now and freeze them to use later when they become very rare and very expensive not to mention well travelled!

Funny you should be talking about this tonight I just got a cracker recipe off the recipes page to have a go at making them in the sun.  We are about to have a whole week of clear sunny days in the mid thirties, so I thought it would be great drying weather. I made some sundried tomatoes this week but I forgot to bring them in one night and the tray blew off the table (very very windy night). I've noticed that chooks don't like sundried tomatoes, as thats where mine ended up.  I'll be a bit more dedicated with the crackers.
MS

Phew it is all starting to work now.  Woke up this morning before my alarm (although I still didn't get out of bed) I'll work up to actaully getting out of bed when i wake up...  Have had heaps more energy today and feeling a bit more relaxed about life rather than tense and stressed.  The dial on the scales seems to have moved too which is good.

So now that I have the food side of my life sussed I need to start working on my fitness.  This time last year I was running 6km a few times a week, so the plan is to be able to run that same route by the end of Feb, in six weeks time. If only it wasn't so hot!
MS

Thanks Joybell, for your reply it has made my (not so raw) day,    that is exactly what I have needed to know, just how much we need to eat.  It has really helped, I definitely wasn't eating enough but I think it was partly detoxing maybe and partly tiredness, I just haven't been very hungry. But next week I am going to increase my activity levels and will have to increase food intake.  I have been reading up on the five tibetans. I am familiar with most of the positions from my yoga class, but I have never known the significance, so I will start to do those every couple of days and work up to doing them every day.  And try and go for a run or two.

Hey Travis thanks for the reply in both places, really appreciated it. 
I am having a much better day today.  I think I was putting a bit too much pressure on myself, so I am going to relax a bit and be 90% or mostly raw and stop agonising over it all. Looking back over the last week I haven't had very much sleep either (thanks to a small boy that thinks its morning at 2am) so my lethargy might be just sleep deprivation rather than what I am eating.
So havning completed the 10 day challenge I a certainly going to keep it up.  Am reading "Raw Logic" By L.R.Murray and it is not exactly easy reading but puts up a very convincing argument for raw food.  Makes you wonder why the rest of the world hasn't caught on. Or how we started cooking to begin with.
Am being kicked off the computer by a 5 year old!!!!!!
MS