In November of 2008, I embarked on an exploratory experiment as a Raw Foodist. Right now, I’m gearing up for an actual 30-day all-Raw trial, to span the entire month of March, 2009. In the coming days and over the course of the next month, I’ll be writing a lot about the Raw Food philosophy, ‘uncooking’ recipes, and my own experiences immersed in this unique lifestyle.
In the meantime, here is a synopsis of my original weeklong Raw adventure. Each day I recorded everything I ate, as well as my physical activities and other relevant information. One is considered a Raw Foodist if they consume greater than 75% raw foods, which is why I allowed hot tea during my November test run. During my upcoming March month-long trial, I will attempt a 95% Raw Food diet, sans tea.
One Week RAW!
A quintessential Raw supper - the 'Green Plate' - note, this platter is HUGE
Wednesday, 19 November:
The Day – worked an early morning shift, walked the dogs, practiced for summer ’09, ‘SAYrobicize’, no BM
- Pu-ehr tea w/ Agave
- 1 Braeburn apple
- 1 head of Broccoli florets w/ Tahini
- 1/2 bottle Kombucha
- Peppermint tea w/ Agave
- handful each of Walnuts and Kale Chips
- Carrot sticks
- Dinner ‘Green Plate’ : Red Leaf, Celery, Green Pepper, Red Onion, Tomato, half a Haas Avocado, and Cucumber, with spicy peanut dressing
- Chamomile tea w/ Agave
Thursday 20 November:
The Day – worked from home all day, exercised, practiced for summer ’09, walked dogs, ‘SAYrobicize’, good BM
- saline flush
- Pu-ehr tea
- 1 Gala apple
- 2 Celery stalks and 1 giant Carrot
- Ginger tea w/ Lemon
- handful each of Walnuts and Kale Chips, + some Raw ‘onion rings’
- Dinner ‘Green Plate’ : Red Leaf, Broccoli, Green Pepper, Red Onion, Tomato, half a Haas Avocado, Cucumber, with spicy peanut dressing
- Chamomile tea w/ Agave
Friday 21 November:
The Day - worked an early morning shift, worked more from home, ‘SAYrobicize’, no BM
- Pu-ehr tea w/ Agave
- 1 Grapefruit
- 1/2 Kombucha
- a Pear, a Banana, a Honeycrisp apple (heaven!)
- Ginger tea w/ Lemon
- 1 peeled Broccoli stalk in Tahini
- a handful each of Walnuts and Grapes
- Green tea w/ Lemon
- 1 Pink Lady apple
- Dinner ‘Green Plate’ : Mixed Greens, Carrot, Cucumber, Green Pepper, and Red Onion, tossed in Tahini dressing
- 1 Raw Chocolate
Saturday 22 November:
The Day – exercised, walked dogs, went out to a party, ‘SAYrobicize’, no BM
- Pu-ehr tea w/ Agave
- 1 Grapefruit, 1 Apple, 1 Pear
- 1/2 Kombucha
- 2 handfuls Walnuts
- Raw Sesame+Nuts Bar
- handful each of Raw ‘Onion Rings’ and Kale Chips
- Green tea w/ Lemon
- Dinner ‘Green Plate’ : Mixed Greens, Carrot, Celery, Green Peppers, Red Onion, peeled Broccoli stems, tossed in tahini dressing
- 1 Raw Chocolate
- Peppermint tea w/ Agave
- 1 Honeycrisp apple (!)
Sunday 23 November:
The Day – worked a closing shift, ‘SAYrobicize’, good BM
- Pu-ehr tea w/ Agave
- 1 Banana, 1 Apple
- 2 handfuls of Walnuts
- Green tea w/ Agave
- handful Mixed Nuts
- 1/2 Kombucha
- head of Broccoli (florets and peeled stem), 2 stalks of Celery, 2 Carrots, Tahini dressing and Sesame dip
- handful Mixed Nuts
- ‘Bedtime’ tea
- handful Mixed Nuts
- Guacamole on a Carrot
Monday 24 November:
The Day - worked an early morning shift, ‘SAYrobicize’, no BM
- Pu-ehr w/ Agave
- 1 Grapefruit
- 1/2 bottle of Kombucha
- 1 Apple, 1 Banana
- Ginger Green tea w/ Agave
- 1 Apple
- 2 Celery stalks of Guacamole
- 2 handfuls of Walnuts
- Peppermint tea w/ Agave
- 1/2 Raw Sesame+Nuts Bar
- 3 Prunes, 1 Orange
- dinner out at Blossoming Lotus – Live Platter w/ Zucchini Pasta & Red Pesto, Mixed Greens & Spicy Nuts, Raw Pizza w/ Olives & Sundried Tomatoes, and Cashew Hummus on Flax Crackers
- Chamomile tea w/ Agave
Tuesday 25 November:
The Day – worked from home, dentist appointment plus Novocain, ‘SAYrobicize’, 2 small BMs
- Pu-ehr tea w/ Agave
- 2 Pears and 1 giant Apple
- Green tea w/ Lemon and Agave
- 1 Apple
- Carrots, Bell Peppers and Celery dipped in homemade Raw Hummus made w/ Zucchini & Pine Nuts
- leftover Live Pizza and Live Pasta
- Chamomile tea w/ Agave
End of RAW Week Wrap Up -
I feel awesome! If Thanksgiving weren’t right around the corner, I would love to continue this experiment. I’m already experiencing some incredible improvements in just this short week. My skin is super moist – very clear and glowing. I feel like I am ‘anti-bloated’, and my energy and moods have been very stable. I feel this acute mental clarity and have been very productive, academically. However, I do have to say my bowel movements have not been as frequent and full as I expected. As far as comfort and consumption, some days I just couldn’t reach satiation (Saturday, Monday), and thus ate a lot trying to feel satisfied.
But, when faced with the prospect of eating the upcoming Holiday treats, I really just keep thinking that I want to eat Raw Foods. How awesome!
5 Days Post RAW Week -
I was primarily Raw on Wednesday 26 November, and then Thursday was Thanksgiving. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were vacation-y, restaurant-y kinds of days. I feel bloated, saccharine, and saline. After just three days of eating poorly, I already feel awful again. Interesting . . .
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