I Start Mostly Raw Food 2015

 New for 2015:  (See 2016 Mostly Raw for More)

During the last week of December 2014, I decided it was time to make some nutritional changes. I had slowly been gaining back some of the weight I'd lost and feeling blah.

I remembered in the past that I had lost weight and felt great and energized doing a '40 Day Daniel Fast' (just fruits and veggies, nuts and seeds, prepared however I wished). But I didn't think of it as a 'lifestyle change' and after the 40 days, I went back to my old ways of eating.

I recently did some research online and discovered many people doing a 'raw or mostly raw diet' with much success and actually sticking with it for years. They all look healthy and great. 

So what is a Raw Food Diet? Think uncooked, unprocessed, mostly organic foods. Your staples: raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains. Some eat unpasteurized dairy foods, raw eggs, and fish. Your food can be cold or even a little bit warm, as long as it doesn't go above 118 degrees. 

 Since December 30th, I have been eating mostly raw and I've lost 15 lbs in about 5 weeks without much exercise, although I plan to walk 30-60 minutes at least 4x week and do hand weights and stretches as well. I am happy with the results thus far and I plan to continue indefinitely. 

I will post what I'm eating and results here. :)

I eat alot of these salads and make my own dressing. They are really good and good for you. Lots of nutrients!

I bought a juicer. I will show you a picture of it in a later post. With my new juicer, I have been making orange juice, apple juice, carrot juice and vegetable juice. They have been coming out really delicious. Juices are processed quickly by the body. The juices rehydrate, and bring nutrients for instant nourishment.

I also have a large mason jar filled with water, to which I have added sliced lemons, oranges, limes, mint leaves and any other ingredients I might have on hand like berries or pineapple etc. The second mason jar is filled with my homemade V8 juice. It really is much better and healthier than the V8's you buy in stores. The color of my V8 is darker and more purple due to the juice from the beet that I added. The main reason I ordered the juicer is to get more veggies into me. It takes about a half hour to make a mason jar full of juice. I always have a sink full of soapy water ready so when I am done, I take off the juicer parts that need cleaning, rinse them off first and put them right in to soak. I never let the veggie pulp dry on. The juicer parts clean up much quicker and easier this way.

This is THE best all natural ice cream. To make it you cut up and dice very rip bananas. Lay them out flat on tinfoil. Wrap them up leaving them in a flat single layer and put them flat on a shelf in your freezer. When they are frozen, you put them in a good blender with some snips of real vanilla bean, about an inch's worth or to taste. Blend those two simple ingredients and walla! Instant vanilla banana ice cream. Top with berries or your favorite topping. So easy and SO YUM!!!!

Another dessert food I like is figs. They taste like fig newtons only without all the processed stuff. There is a tiny, tough little stem on top so be sure not to eat it. Figs are God's candy and they are filling and so scrumptious.

And while I'm on the subject of desserts, this is my ultimate favorite. It is like a pina colada without anything processed. You take a VERY ripe cantelope or green melon and scoop out the seeds. Scrape out the melon into the blender. Add tiny snips of vanilla bean, and about 2 Tablespoons of creamed coconut. Blend well, the cantelope will actually turn more orange in color. The consistancy is amazing and it tastes sweet and delicious!!! LOVE this!!!