Me on a diet

No, I'm not actually on a diet, just changed my diet. You may remember a few posts ago where I explained my new raw food kick. It's been nearly two months now and I have to say I am feeling pretty good about myself. I have more energy than every before. I sleep better. I perform household tasks with more interest. I have never felt so good, so energetic, so alive.



I have pretty much been able to avoid wheat, a stance which has morphed into avoiding gluten. Sugar as well, though this is harder to avoid for a chocoholic like me. The hardest part of my dietary change is visiting others. I never know what is going to be available to eat and it's been a challenge to remember to bring my own sustenance. For instance, I went to a child's birthday party recently and heard the dinner was to be take out pizza. Red flags went off in my brain. I knew if I ate the pizza, even a single slice that I would be passed out on the couch either sleeping or in complete agony with my stomach rolling and turning. I was able to run out and grab a store prepared salad but I felt awkward, different, maybe even a bit like a "difficult person". No one wants to be difficult. I certainly don't but I also don't want to keep gaining weight like I have been or be in constant agony because of wheat.



After learning I had lost 11 lbs a friend asked what I eat because from her stance wheat is in everything. And she's right... well almost everything.



I have a smoothie for breakfast most mornings and have been known to whip one up and take it with me in a travel mug if I need to be out the door in a hurry. These smoothies are pure energy with four servings of fruit and sometimes yogurt. I don't drink coffee, or tea. Ever. I had cereal once a few weeks ago to try to break up my routine which had turned into a rut and I will never do that again. My stomach does not like it and my blood sugar gets all goofy so I learned my lesson quick. I guess I had been so use to the pain and discomfort when I eat wheat every day that now that I am off wheat I can really notice how my body responds.



For lunch I will have a baked potato, or leftovers from the night before. I am always snacking on carrots, grapes, cheese, milk as the day goes on that some days I don't eat a lunch. For dinner we'll have burgers (no bun for me) and a salad, or rice pasta with salad. I can have shepard's pie, chicken ceasar salad, chicken and rice etc. With the cold weather coming we will have more soups and chilies. After dinner I might have ice cream, or popcorn, or rice cakes or fruit.



That's pretty much it. I try to walk or do some physical activity in the garden every day. Now that I feel like I have my energy back it is easy for me to accomplish my task lists whereas before it felt like I had lead in my feet. I can't express to you the difference I have felt. I no longer feel lethargic or sleepy. I feel good for the first time in years. Next I want to lower my consumption of meat but in the meantime I am content with changing one aspect of my diet, that way I don't overwhelm myself with too much change.

Apple Chips

Slice two Granny Smith apples with a mandoline or other tool that will provide consistent thickness.

Spread out on parchment paper on cookies sheets in a single layer. Set oven to the lowest temperature. 115 degrees F is ideal but mine only goes down to 170, so I do that.



Flip the slices once after an hour or so and replace in the oven. Should be done within 4 to 6 hours depending on thickness.

Ultimately a raw food is any food not cooked above 115 degrees F, this includes dehydrated food. A commercially bought or home built solar dehydrator is best for these types of recipes. I plan to continue experimenting before plunking down $130 bucks for one.



They taste like sweet apple-ly chips... how else can I describe them? My daughter and I devoured them in 5 minutes so now I have to make some more!

Experimenting with Raw Food

Tired of feeling sick and tired? Yeah, me too. I decided recently that I can make a few small changes every day and it will do wonders in helping me feel more energetic and alive. I have been lurking on Raw Food forums, websites and youtube channels collecting data and experiences. I have a few friends within the homeschooling community who participate in the Raw Food Lifestyle and they all look amazing. Women with two, three and seven kids who are attentive to their bodies and the nourishment they need. Now why can't I be like that?

Making the switch to a diet prominent in raw food takes a bit of warming up to. I have been stalling and procrastinating for sometime even though I know the benefits are worth the discomfort. It's only uncomfortable because it's not what I am use to. I crave sweets without realizing it. I am never full and always lethargic. Here's how I have started my journey to healthier eating.

I bought a blender and eat a fruit smoothie every morning (recipe to follow). I plan to change it up and try new ingredients. All in all, this is a great energy boost with lots of good fiber and just the right amount of sweetness. Last year at about this time I was making juice concentrate and canning it. Never again. Even then I knew all the goodness was being stripped and all I was left with was coloured sugar water. I am going to be taking that recipe down off my blog.

I have ready fruits and veggies in the fridge that have been washed and slice. It's easy to grab a handful when I have the nibblies.

The most important thing I have done is swear off bread products and severely limited my diary intake. At some point I may just do away with dairy all together but we shall see. I am truly just listening to my body, recognizing how it feels after eating certain foods. I am not counting calories or fat grams. I am, however, keeping a food journal. I can tell you already I feel amazing! I have energy to spare. I am getting more done in my day. I can think clearly and love that I am not struggling like I used to to get through the day.

I can't say I will go 100 per cent raw, of course it depends how my body responds. I can say that there is enough inspiration out there to keep me motivated.