When I took a break from blogging, I promised that I would finish writing this series. Better late than never!
In 2011 I set about on a journey to regain my health – a series of dietary experiments. You can read the backstory here. Prior to beginning these trials, I had used an elimination diet to clear up a systemic Candida infection. I was also healing my gut/digestion through the intensive application of probiotics via fermented foods and beverages, and it worked, because cultured food is magical!
The Test
In May, I went RAW.
The Theory
Longtime readers are probably aware of my love affair with raw foods. My first foray into the lifestyle was back in May of ’09, when I did a month-long all-raw stint. Now as part of my “diet trial”, I was jumping back in, exactly two years later to the day. How’s that for timing?! And as to the “why” of it, well, here’s an excerpt from something I wrote way back then:
“. . . it is believed that at high temperatures the natural enzymes – important in aiding digestion and absorption – begin to denature. According to Raw enthusiasts, the act of cooking food will essentially destroy it. Therefore, Raw cuisine will contain the most vitamins and minerals, and will be most effortlessly metabolized by the body. These two qualities collaborate to maximize the nutritional impact of whatever is eaten, while requiring as little work as possible for the body.”
Essentially, raw food is incredibly cleansing, rich in micronutrients and easy on digestion. After giving up sugar and wheat in February, practicing mindful eating in March, and going totally grain-free in April, “raw” just seemed like the natural next step; a perfect opportunity to truly “reset” my body.
Even more serendipitously, I was in full-on recipe development mode for Rawesomely Vegan, so it sort of made perfect sense to simply eat 100% raw. Again, such opportune timing.
The Results
Oh, how I ♥ raw food! As expected, May was marvelous. This was actually an extremely (extremely) trying time in my life. I was attempting WAY too much, between mommying and blogging and writing a cookbook under a tight deadline. It was one of the most stressful periods of my life (undiagnosed postpartum anxiety, remember) and I really believe that the reason I got through it with my sanity intact, was because I was eating so damn well!
When I eat 100% raw, my mind is clear, I feel centered, and best of all I find that my body is full of energy. After I eat a raw meal I often have so much energy that I have to go out for a walk! That’s such a contrast to the food coma that most people experience post-mealtime.
So needless to say, my May trial was ace. My skin improved, my digestion continued get stronger, and I was able to stay up into the wee hours of the morning, working working working.
However, I did run into trouble with my blood sugar. I was still getting hit with semi-unpredictable spikes and crashes, from seemingly benign meals. On more than one occasion I ate something that sent me into a wild-eyed tailspin, hyper high (complete with euphoria) followed by an exhausted plummet into cranky-ville. And actually, it would be many months before I got that all that sorted out. In the meantime, however, I sure was enjoying the benefits of living life in the RAW. So much so, that when I got to the end of May I decided to just keep on truckin’ . . . but we’ll save that for the next installment.
Edited to link in the rest of the series:
Introduction
January
February
March
April
June
July
August
Putting It All Together
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