Aspiring Raw Foodist

Remember the movie Truman, where Jim Carey lives in a staged world most of his adult life, until the end of the movie where he finds out he's been on a stage? That is kind of how I feel today. Nothing that drastic, of course.

But I wonder....

How many things do I believe are true, simply because I have been told them my whole life?

See, all of this started when I was about 18 and met a lady named Catherine. She was out there, but she opened my eyes to a lot of "holistic" things--accupuncture, candling, reiki, cupping, psychic abilities, nutrition, meditating and unfortunately some conspiracy theory. I pass on the conspiracy theory stuff. I only have so long to live and don't want to worry things I can't change, or really AREN'T happening....so...

She was my chinese medicine doctor. I took chinese herbs, cleansed, had needles stuck all over me, ear seeds, readings, dream analysis, and the list goes on. I learned MANY things, no doubt! But it also got me interested in different diets, vitamins, etc. So, for 14 years I have been learning about and experimenting with food.The first organized diet I tried was FIT FOR LIFE. Interesting concept. I tried it. Lost a few pounds, but didn't stay on it. I have NEVER stayed on a diet actually. (Which is why I have had the opportunity to try them!)I've also read or tried Blood Type Diet, High Protein/Low Carb, juice fasts (once I drank organic apple juice for four days straight (and that was all) , to end the cleanse by drinking a cup of olive oil. I threw it all up--four days down the drain!)Then I start working out with trainers to lose weight--high protein, low carbs (translating to very little fruit!). IT WORKS!! Yes, it does. By changing my diet and working my ass off, I lost 42 over 8 months. Went from a Size 14 to a size 4. Eventually I gained some back because I wasn't working out as hard as I was before (www.anti-gym.com). Then one day, about a year or two ago, my friend Duane invited me to a triathlon clinic put on by Pete and Kathy Alfino. Kathy was her masters degree in nutrition stuff. She said if you want to eat right for training, follow Paleo for Athletes. So I went out, bought it, and read it--didn't understand it though. I still had a lot of other stuff to learn...about carbs, protein, and fat. So, a year or two later, I start Crossfitting...and they advocated Teh Zone Diet. Went out, bought the book, read it, tried it. Not bad. Kind of time consuming!! THEN, as I started consulting with Pete on a one-on-one basis, he started talking about Paleo and how great it was for him and his wife. He wanted me to try it. First I did a master cleanse for 6 days, then I was supposed to start. I don't recall it working like that!! :) SoI was off and on, trying to decide when and where to start. Pete and Kathy aren't 100% Paleo, so they have some flexibility. I can't do flexibility. Then, one week, Crossfit started talking about going Paleo--and how that was the "new" way. They did a 30 day lockdown. I didn't do it!!! They got some good results. I was feeling out of control and kind of sick of eating. Nothing sounded good anymore. So I signed up for their next 30 day lockdown...knowing that Pete wanted me to try it anyway. This was a way to have some structure and support. We started on April 17, but I started on April 4--by myself. I don't remember it being hard! Within weeks my acid reflux was gone and asthma was getting better.

About this time my frien, Dave, went raw. I thought he was f-ing CRAZY--training for an Ironman, eating nothing but RAW fruits and veggies and nuts/seeds. But my curiousity got the best of me and I started reading about it. No harm there, right? WRONG!! When I started reading, I naturally started eating more raw food--because I knew it was better for ME (maybe not for everyone). I started feeling even better. So I ate more and more raw food. Until one day I was at Sprouts and found a raw food "cookbook"....that night I had my first raw tomato sauce and veggies--OH MY GOD!! It was so delicious and satisfying! I couldn't believe it!

As the days went on, I ate more and more raw, experimented with a few things....played around. Then, about 6 days ago, I took a few days off of work to relax and take care of me. I read another raw book that night and the following morning. MADE SENSE! Sounded delicious! So, to shorten this story--I found another friend online that got Dave started and also did more research. I LOVE RESEARCH!! Last Thursday I decided to go almost 100% raw! I still have balsalmic vinegar occasionally...and my herbs aren't all raw yet. But one day. I think I'm doing well for now!

My weight is coming off. My appetite is sooo reduced. I go to the bathroom 3-5 times a day. I never get sugar crashes. If I'm tired, it's because I'm tired--not because my blood sugar is fucked up. I havne't had coffee in 6 days--that is the hardest thing!I cheated and had a cup of hot peppermint tea the other day. Almost had coffee today.

My muscles don't hurt like that used to. They get a tad bit sore--but they don't kill me. It's very interesting.

My point to all of this rambling is this--I believe my entire life that meat was SUPPOSED to be part of my diet! HOLY COW--HOW DO VEGANS LIVE WITHOUT MEAT?? Honestly, I only miss it once in a while--usually when I'm hungry. But before I went raw, when I started Paleo, meat made me feel soo heavy! I couldn't believe it!

So, here I am....aspiring raw foodist. I do not have to live on a make believe set of everyone's ideas and suggestions. I can choose my own path. I can eat meat or not. But if I choose not to, I'm not going to die--actually, I'll probably be healthier! But, like I said--this is all about me. I suggest people play with a variety of diets to see what their boides prefer.

Whew. That was long!