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wassail
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« on: Thursday 20 December, 2007 »

Hi All,

Just joined today after being told about the forum by several people on Adelaide Vegans. I'm Bronny, live in Adelaide and am just about to dip my toe into living raw. I've been vegan for about 12 years, but lately have been feeling quite yuk. Eating too much, drinking too much alcohol and not exercising at all due to knee problems (which I'm hoping will be fixed after surgery two days after xmas). I also recently developed a soy intolerance which is telling me something! I have been thinking about going raw for ages - but have never got around to it. I'm particularly fond of Torin's raw column in Vegan Voice - find it very inspiring.
Anyway, I'm going to start in the new year. I don't know if I'l go completely raw but will give it a good shot and have ordered "12 Steps To Raw Foods" by Boutenko.

I have a couple of questions:

How do you get on socially? Especially when you are eating at friends' places or going out for meals with friends?
I love tea - but I'm guessing that hot drinks - even herbal teas - are off the menu, right?
Can you have any warm foods at all on a raw diet? (I'm really naive about all of this!)
Do any of you drink alcohol at all? (I don't mean to sound like a soak - just interested to know)
What about non-raw partners - do you find that you need to prepare your own meals?

Would love any advice or information - including "local" information (raw-friendly restaurants/shops etc.) from other Adelaide people - thanks!

Bronny


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eve
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« Reply #1 on: Thursday 20 December, 2007 »

Welcome Bronny!

I have been raw for 6 weeks now and yes it is a challenge sometimes for me.
I will share some of my experiences, remember this is a VERY personal journey so I think you need to be flexible and listen to your body.

I have to say I can't really tell you anything about the social part of raw, I have not really done the dinnerparty thing in the last couple of weeks.
I have stopped drinking coffee altogether took me a couple of days but now I am fine with it. (I was only on 1/2 ccups a day anyway) I do still drink some organic green tea every now and then, maybe 2/3 times a week. I don't think it's really raw but I have read several times green tea has heaps of benefits so a little does not hurt I think. Again it's up to you. You can always fase things out later, if cups of tea keep you going in the beginning then by all means keep drinking tea.. Regarding to alcohol I can't give you any advise; even before raw I did not drink.

I am the only raw person in my family and yes I prepare my meal and their meals seperate. This is my journey and if my husband would like to join me that would be lovely if not that's his choice.

Something that nobody told me when I started eating raw and I had never expected is how this way of life is also effecting me emotionally. I just wanted to loose some weight and be more healthy but what I received was soo much more. After such a short time I am much happier and emotionally stabile as well as some kg's lighter.

Good luck on your journey!
~eve~  heart
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wassail
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« Reply #2 on: Thursday 20 December, 2007 »

Thanks so much for your post Eve.....I'm really looking forward to this! I forgot to mention in my post that I am also about 10kg heavier than my "normal" weight - partly due to lack of exercise, eating too much and emotional stuff following my mum's death in January this year. All of this has contributed to my confidence levels, and I have to say...a problem with libido!
So - I will welcome the emotional stuff you mentioned.....if indeed going raw has the same effect on me.

Bronny
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« Reply #3 on: Thursday 20 December, 2007 »

Hi Bronny and welcome!

I'm glad to see you asking a few questions. Socially... it's good to be prepared. I'm great if I go to friends houses or if I have people here but I fall off the wagon in restaurants.  Sad

I still enjoy a herbal tea. I adore peppermint, I just heat the water, not boil it. If I'm at a cafe I'll have a cuppa. I try to be flexible.

It was never my intention to give up alcohol. I didn't want to do it. I'm a party animal with a mega wattage personality that I feel free to show off when I've had a few. Alcohol was my drug of choice. Then one day I connected the fact that when I drink I get depressed. One standard drink = one day of depression. After that I never wanted alcohol again. I think it was late February or early March the last time I had a drink. I can't see myself never drinking again but that doesn't mean I won't! I've learned to never say never.

My hubby is high raw now. But in the beginning was not interested. I continued to cook him meat until he changed his mind about that. I continued to cook for my kids until my son had a health crises. I do push my kids to eat more raw but my hubby made his own mind up after seeing my depression lift and other improvements in my life. He is loving raw now but it didn't happen overnight!

I have so much more to say.... I'll come back later!

Again, welcome....

xoxoxo
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wassail
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« Reply #4 on: Thursday 20 December, 2007 »

Thanks Jennie for your great post - btw I just looked at your photos and I'm still picking my jaw up off the floor! You look amazing - congratulations!
Good to hear about the tea. And yes - I reckon there's a connection between the alcohol and depression for me too.....these are things I am going to have to think about very hard. I don't like doing things by halves, but I'm also human, so will see how I go.
Re my partner - he's ovo-vegetarian....so we don't ever have meat or dairy in the house, but I don't think he will be coming with me on this journey. But he's very open to new foods, so I might be able to tempt him!

Talk again soon
Bronny
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« Reply #5 on: Thursday 20 December, 2007 »

Welcome Bronny Smiley

I'm Mandee and I'm in Sydney and I have been Raw for 2 months this Sunday. I'm not 100% but am pretty close most days.

I don't eat out often as I've been vegan for awhile and just tend to prefer to have meals at home and my bf is an omni so there aren't always places we would both want to go! We have always cooked together, him cooking any meat products and me cooking the rest of the meal that was vegan, now most nights I help prepare parts of his meal and I have fruit or salad or a juice. It doesn't bother me too much, as it's his choice and this is mine.

If out w/ friends or at someone's place I have either taken stuff w/ me or eaten cooked food and not given myself too much of a guilt trip.

I still have a cup of black tea most days either w/ homemade almond milk or bought rice milk, no biggie to me as I think I will stop having it eventually. I also like herbal teas occasionally (green, peppermint, cammomile).

I don't drink often as I don't like most alcohol, if I do drink it's vodka, soda, lime or a pre-mixed version of that. I had my first drink in a 3 months the other weekend at a Christmas party and I fainted that night, not sure if it had anything to do with it (it's never happened before). So I can't give you much advice re. alc as I am not a regular drinker and don't think I will be drinking much at all from now on.

Good luck going Raw, remember to take it at your own pace and to not give yourself too much guilt if you are not 100% or if there are a few things you need to wean yourself off slowly.

A book I really liked is "The Raw Food Detox Diet" by Natalia Rose. She gives Raw levels, so you can choose some ideas to get you started, as a vegan you'd be as close to becoming Raw as you can get on her levels (the higher ones are all based on ppl who are heavy meat and junk food consumers).

Best o' luck xox
« Last Edit: Thursday 20 December, 2007 by Kitteh » Report to moderator   Logged
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« Reply #6 on: Thursday 20 December, 2007 »

warm welcome Bronny...

im in the Adel hills...all raw vegan(low fat high fruit) for 4 years now..


firstly.Bliss organic Cafe...and ive heard theres a raw food rest/cafe opening in Willunga i think it is...

Socially no worries...if going to a rest/cafe,ring ahead and organise a special raw meal,salad fruit plate etc...carry extra food with you,in case the serving is scanty...stipulate that you are on this 'diet'/way of eating,for medical reasons...works for me,and then they take you seriously...
or eat firstly and go for the company...

when going to friends,i take my fruit,cos its organic usually,and i know what im getting...easier that way..i do have a couple of friends who love to make me food...but most feel a bit daunted at prepping food for me,lol

I choose not to drink alcohol or tea...but you make YOUR rules,for what works for you....everyone is different and that is great!same goes for my husband....he is happy to prep my meals,if he knows exactly what i want...

hope this helps
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Jenergy
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« Reply #7 on: Friday 21 December, 2007 »

DAunted at preparing food for you? Easy, one watermelon, organic and just perfect! Chop into slices and serve. Voila!

xoxoxo
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wassail
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« Reply #8 on: Friday 21 December, 2007 »

Thanks so much everyone for your posts - some great advice there - I'm loving the testimonials threads too....
Bronny
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wassail
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« Reply #9 on: Friday 21 December, 2007 »

Thanks for your welcome RGG - I've only been on the forum for a day and am very much enjoying your posts....
Hope you're enjoying this beautiful rain BTW!

im in the Adel hills...all raw vegan(low fat high fruit) for 4 years now..
Do you do your organic shopping at the Stirling Organic Market? We were eating mostly organic until earlier this year when my hours at work were dropped so we went back to mainstream because of financial reasons. But I hate eating mainstream....must try to find the money to go back to organic. At Semaphore we no longer have a good quality organic fruit and veg shop - I was getting mine via Altra Easy Food Deliveries (produce comes from the central market - House of Organics I think)


firstly.Bliss organic Cafe...and ive heard theres a raw food rest/cafe opening in Willunga i think it is...
Oh yes, Bliss is a huge fave of mine. Great news about the Willunga one!

Socially no worries...if going to a rest/cafe,ring ahead and organise a special raw meal,salad fruit plate etc...carry extra food with you,in case the serving is scanty...stipulate that you are on this 'diet'/way of eating,for medical reasons...works for me,and then they take you seriously...
Yes - used to doing this, having been a vegan for so many years. Isn't it annoying that many people only take you seriously for "medical" reasons! (ie they don't want you throwing up on their furniture!)

hope this helps
It really does! Thanks!

Bronny

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« Reply #10 on: Friday 21 December, 2007 »

welcome to the forum wassail
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wassail
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« Reply #11 on: Friday 21 December, 2007 »

Thanks very much rawconnection
Bronny
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« Reply #12 on: Friday 21 December, 2007 »

Hey Bronny(oops just got banana and papaya pudding on my keys,slurp lick tehee)...

Do most of my shopping at organically grown,st bernards rd,magill...sometimes at organic solutions on unley road,if i need something after 6pm...
all seasons in mt barker,and sometimes at stirling,but they are waaaaaaaaaaaay over priced...
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"I knew I could never hold that girl.
She was born to see the world.
All I've got is a picture she mailed to me,
Barefoot in the snow white sand,
a bag of sea shells in her hand.
She finally found a paradise it seems."

--Kenny Chesney. Smiley
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