Well, change has come and the change is doing me GOOD! My last post had me including a little animal protein in the mix, and from that time till now, I saw such good results that I did a bit of research, well, more than just a "bit"; lots of internet surfing, reading, studying, more reading, experimenting daily with what I put in my mouth, and here's were I ended up: My vegetarian/vegan/raw vegan  friends might not be happy at what I found out, but all I can say is I gave it my best shot, my utmost effort, and still, had to come to the conclusion that I do not do well on a vegetarian/vegan diet. Am I still "raw"? Since most or all the veggies and fruits I eat are raw, I would say I fit a "high raw" category. What did I remove? I dumped the grains/legumes/most dairy/sugar/and processed foods derived from them. What did I add? All I added were organic/grass fed animal proteins: meat/game/poultry/fish/"omega 3" eggs. What this left me with was the best of all worlds: Eating fresh fruit/veggies, some nuts and seed, plenty of protein and good fats, and feeling better than I have since beginning this journey some years ago. I won't say that one size fits all. There are people who have done extremely well on a raw vegan diet, and I say more power to you! And since going in the direction I've been going in, I say more power to me too!

A lot has happened in the last year. I'm still mostly raw, about 70%, but for health reasons I've had to add a little bit of animal protein (no dairy or grains/legumes) it's still a great way to go, lots of salads, fresh fruit and a bit of grilled meat or fish. My hat's off to those who can go all vegan or 100% raw. To each our own.

As of this coming Sunday (080907) I will have been consistently 100% raw for 8 weeks. If you would have asked me "Is there really a difference between say, 70-80% raw and 100% raw?"
I wouldn't have known until now. Now I can say a resounding "YES!"
I am sleeping better, have much more energy; I am seeing real changes in my face, my body, and in my emotional well being too.
What made the difference for me was cutting out stimulating substances like caffeine, cacao, heavy spices, alcohol, and even store bought processed "raw" foods, like prepared nut bars. It has been easier for me to remain 100% raw by eating more high water content foods and less of the concentrated foods. I don't really eat many "superfoods", but I still enjoy nuts and seeds, and still eat my daily treats like Nut Ball candy and home made raw vegan ice kream (I use almond mylk as the base instead of cashews) but leaning more on juices and green smoothies really takes care of any cravings. As to cravings? These last 7 weeks there have been NONE.

Nut Ball Candy

1/2 cup each: walnuts, shelled pistachios, shelled sunflower seeds, shelled pumpkin seeds, raisins.
Place in food processor with the s blade and process until crumbly but not a powder.
Place in bowl and add 1/2 cup almond butter and 1/4 cup agave, mix in.
Wet hands and roll into small balls, about a heaping teaspoon each.
Roll in freshly ground Flaxseed (use a clean coffee grinder) refrigerate. Makes approximately 30.

Banana Ice Kream

3 cups fresh almond mylk
2 bananas sliced
1/2 tsp vanilla or a scrape of vanilla bean seeds
1/4 cup agave
Blend in Vitamix till smooth
Put in ice cream maker and follow manufacturer's directions
(I have a cuisinart and usually it takes around 20 or so minutes to freeze up.)
Put in containers in Freezer.

Easy Green Smoothie

Handful of Kale, handful of parsley, 1 small pear, 1 small apple, 12 oz. water
Blend in Vita Mix or K-tec and enjoy. I drink this with variations on the greens just about every day.

Finally, the weather has cleared up a bit of all the smoke from the many fires that have been burning in California.
We've got a friend in Oregon who's going bonkers from the claustrophobia of being shut in just to keep breathing clean air, so I am truly grateful for the respite and a really blue sky.
It's not only food but clear sunlight that feeds us so I took the time for a little sun-bathing (only 10 minutes, not enough to get burned). It felt tremendously good.
Sunlight, fresh air, exercise, plenty of sleep, and raw food.
Makes me a happy camper.

P.S.
That's almond MILK not "juice"!
My better half is also still eating as much raw as possible....

I am amazed and happily surprised at the increase in interest in the raw lifestyle.
It is truly encouraging.

Here it is and a year and a half later and I am still:
committed to being raw and vegan, and whereas I was 60-70% raw last year, I am now averaging around 80-100% raw.
It's been a busy 17 months with little or no time to write but being back feels good.

Current daily menu:
Lots of fresh spring or filtered water to drink.
3 large glasses of fresh veggie juice with an emphasis on greens.
3 large salads with a simple dressing of olive oil and lime juice.
2 glasses of fresh almond juice (morning and before bed)
occasional pate' and a little yummy raw vegan homemade ice cream now and then.

...and yet another new year, new beginnings...

I haven't blogged on this post for over a year now, but thought I'd "catch up" if only briefly:
the scoop:
I've been on and off raw, back and forth, struggled with some health issues, and currently around 60-70% raw.
I've been more lenient with myself, more forgiving, less rigid.
I'm still tremendously enjoying being raw, and recently added more yoga and walking to my "health mix".
It's all good.
I had to stop eating raw for a period of months because I kept having severe stomach indigestion every time I tried. I think it was just a detoxification crisis, which for the time being is not happening at the present moment thankfully, so now I'm back to my yummy juices/salads/various and sundry delicious and raw recipes.

On the other hand here's something to consider:
We who are raw fooders have to take care to make sure our food is CLEAN and washed thoroughly.
With the recent spinach and lettuce scares it just makes sense.
As a matter of fact, raw vegan food poses more of a risk of being contaminated with organisms than other foods due to the fact that it is not cooked when eaten. Cooking is not recommended but, in this case a liberal use of the "parcells oxygen soak" is a daily must whenever bringing food home from market, or use the "wash" of your choice. Some people have used apple cider vinegar in their food wash water with good results.

Well, here's something simply amazing!
My very much loved spouse has been eating raw right along with me for going on three weeks now.
I didn't say a word. I didn't nag. I didn't cop a 'tude. I applied NO pressure whatsoever.
I just kept on doing what I've been doing since coming back to raw; just eating my tasty salads every morning with him while he ate his (lovingly prepared by me) own brekkie.
He just up and asked me one day to make him a salad too, and so I did. And here we are, side by side eating raw.
Sometimes the most wonderful changes gently walk up and tap you on the shoulder.
Love it!