Hello, everyone!

I live in San Antonio, TX, and I am a fairly-recent convert to veganism and raw foods. I began making huge dietary changes in March of this year, so I've only been on this path for about 4 months. I am trying to move to either a completely raw diet or one that's about 80 or 90% raw.

I changed my diet in an effort to wrest control back after dealing with ovarian cancer. I read several books that spoke of the link between animal protein and cancer, and I also read a lot about the benefits of a raw diet. So here I am--trying to find the best ways to integrate this new way of thinking and eating into my life.

I hope to find good advice here, as well as some interesting and tasty recipes. The biggest challenge I'm facing right now is integrating raw foods into my life in a way that doesn't involve hours of monitoring dehydrating foods and sprouting seeds, etc. My first try at sprouting garbanzo beans was an unmitigated disaster (fermented beans--yuk!). But I won't give up!

Anyway--hello, again! I hope to learn lots from all of you and to make my own contributions, small as they may be at first. :-)

Mindful Maida,
Hello and welcome! I'm also a fair newbie to this dietary life but I'm loving it! The forum here is a great place to ask questions and get encouragement. Many of the people here (myself included) have personal blogs or web sites with lots of good information and suggestions to help you stay the course. One of the best things I can tell you is that in my own experience, I'm not where I thought I would be on this road and I'm okay with that. I have allowed my rules to change as I have learned more about my body's needs and about good nutrition in general. Be careful to listen to your body and keep your rules simple. Everyone is different and we all have unique needs nutritionally. Don't get too caught up on the dogma of "being raw" or any other diet for that matter. Congrats to you on your decision to take control of your body and your destiny!
Cheers....
Michelle

A big HELLO to eveyone :-)
I have been vegan for a about 10 years and veggie before that, and have been wanting to go raw for a while now, but I have to say have not known where to start! Im not 100% raw yet but am working at getting there. So far I incoropate green smoothies into my day and eat salad and 'nibble' on raw veg. Ive joined this site to get more help and advice from others on here to help me be more adventerous with my food :-)
All help and advice appreciate very much x

My name is Tajna,I live in Hawai'i, and I started my raw food adventure in August.I'd had a lot of emotional times this summer,plus traveling,and when I was traveling I was drinking Odwalla juices a lot.I know they aren't fresh juice,but I noticed how much better my skin got,how my energy level went up,and how well I slept.When I got back,I decided,I'll see how long I can go raw! Although now I am incorporating cooked quinoa and other grains back into my diet,I'm still 99% raw.I simply could not digest grains and legumes raw without a lot of discomfort and pain,and a nutritionist I had been seeing advised me to.
My favorite raw foods are dates and papayas,mmm.I love to make a protein shake with fresh almond milk,raw carob,figs,VEGA protein powder.I make lots of fresh fruit juices/smoothies.Made guacamole with zucchini slices for lunch along with a huge salad the other day.
The only thing that is challenging for me is eating on the run.I have low blood sugar so need to eat something every 3 hours.I always try to have a Two Moms in the Raw bar with me,or some raw enzyme bar.The hardest part will definitely be traveling,because I can't bring fruits/juices on planes,and run the risk of extremely low blood sugar.That's something I need to work on!

Hi all- I'm Leslie. I've been veg most of my adult life, vegan for the last several years, and am now transitioning into a raw diet (maybe 80-90%). I am interested in learning more and staying inspired!

Hi everyone! :-)

I've been a raw foodist for nearly 4 years now; anywhere from 50% to 100% raw at different times.

Glad to be joining you! Hope to make many great friends here! :-)

Hello to everyone in this Rawesome community ; )

My name is Rachel. I went vegan when I was 16, but didn't know how to supplement and became anemic ~ so I reintroduced Fish & some poultry back into my diet.

I am now 24, about 80% RAW and "doing things my own way" & by that, I mean I am not Strict on myself (thats the only way I can make this work!). So if I eat a bad food item one day, I don't let it bring me to the dark side, I just think its OK its just a little battle, I will win the war. (Can you tell I am an extremist / perfectionist type?).

My husband & I struggle with the Vegan Raw Food Diet, to be honest. For him its more of the meat, and for me I think its because we still drink alcohol & smoke sometimes. Only Wine, or a local beer; and its not like we smoke any chemicals, god forbid. But I think those indulgences tax my body till where it needs 'bulkier' foods or something. SO I try to only drink a glass or two of wine on special occasions and I am considering vaporizing.

I still subsist on Turkey/Chicken Bone Broth ~ I feed my cats a 90% Raw food diet and I have LOTS of leftover poultry bones to make homemade broth. And I still eat HONEY. but I have cut down on EGGS a lot, which I used to eat ALOT instead of meat.

I FEEL BEST while on a Clean Raw Food Vegan Diet. I look to Brendan Brazier as inspiration (I re-read his books all the time) because it was when I was reading the THRIVE DIET while I was working at a gym (working out/ teaching fitness class @ least 4 hours every day) that it clicked ~ I could have my Vegan Cake & Eat it too! (I could expend high levels of energy by teaching exercise classes, and STILL BE FUELED VEGAN!!!).

Hello! I'm Lili, I'm from all over but currently living in Kansas, USA, and glad to be here :) Honestly I've had the absolute worst eating habits most of my life. I've tried every diet known to man EXCEPT the Raw diet. LOL.
I cut out meats and dairy 2 weeks ago, and am giving myself a few months to ease into Raw. So far, and I know it's only been 2 weeks so call me crazy if you will, but I feel absolutely amazing! I actually feel sick when I cheat and have bread. Yet I'm dumb, or conditioned..yeah, let's go with that one.. to eat that way. 40 years of eating bread is a habit well ingrained. No pun intended. :)
So, I am really looking forward to digging in and finding new recipes, techniques, support, and anything else I can learn from you seasoned professionals.
Thanks for having me :)