Kids, today is a little story about what ‘raw food’ REALLY is all about. You have heard me say in the past ‘it is not just about the food’ at which point you probably thought to yourself ‘well womaaan what is it about then, mmm?’. Fair enough. Cool jamaican accent by the way.
Last weekend I suddenly felt like a paper bag full of crap that had been left on someone’s porch and lit on fire. Without any warning signs my throat started feeling scratchy and sore. My nose was blocked like the roads on a Friday afternoon on which people are desperately trying to get home to go all TGIF. And did I detect a hint of feeling feverish?! Being one of those annoying people that never (ever!) gets a sore throat and a stuffed nose only when I make out with my cat, I was pissed. And frustrated. And confused. And did I mention PISSED? I was supposed to go OUT that weekend. I nevereverever go out anymore and obviously I was pissed at the Universe for being so inconsiderate. How dare she. He? It? WHATEVER.
Being me I also wanted needed to know WHY the hell I was feeling this way. I was ‘doing everything right’ so obviously this shit was totally uncalled for. I ate a plate of white pasta (I know!! My biggest pet peeve!!) a few hours before I started feeling shitty, which may or may not have had my body going into Defcon 5 (or Defcon 1, as Sheldon would say). But honestly, I think I had bigger issues than a plate of the white devil (that’s how much I hate refined carbs, not even kidding). I sometimes have a tendency of taking on too much a lot of shit at once without realizing I am doing so. Until that day comes where I’m, like, errrr I don’t feel so good today, and someone points out to me I am working overtime. (Don’t get me wrong. I can be batshit lazy too. I think it’s in fact my fear of this side of me, a case of the lazy’s, that it’s sometimes easier to just overwork). Momentarily I am doing two courses, wrapping up my very first eBook and maintaining my website/blog while trying to make ends meet for food & a roof over my head. Not to mention some serious big stuff going on personally, oh and did I mention t’is the holiday season as well? Add to that wanting to do yoga, exercise and meditate on a daily basis and maintain a social life and I’m pretty much going full force from 7:00 to 00:00 daily. The kicker is… I don’t mind. I love my ‘work’. I chose to take this all upon me. But I can see why my mind-body gets frazzled sometimes.
WHAT’S RAW GOT TO DO, GOT TO DO WITH IT? </Tina Turner>. BR (Before Raw), I never could have mustered up the motivation, let alone the energy, to do all this. BR, my body would’ve given out at the mere THOUGHT of doing all this. BR I didn’t get PISSED, confused nor frustrated when I had a cough, cold and/or the flu. Before Raw, it was common for me to feel that way. So yes, stuffing myself with juices, smoothies, salads and other fresh foods has given me better physical health for damn sure.
HOWEVER. My increased physical health is not even the biggest thing I attribute to eating raw. My increased mental/emotional/spiritual health, otherwise known as well-being, is. With eating, living this way, I do not just have the physical strength and energy to deal with stress, emotions and life’s curveballs. It also gives me the emotional strength and spiritual insight to do so. Before Raw, I would have comforted myself with heavy, dense foods. Foods that help numb sadness or stress for sure, but don’t solve any problem or give you a positive outlook on life. Now, even when I felt shitty physically and sad emotionally, I found the strength to go for a long brisk walk in the blasting cold which surprisingly gave me new energy and a clear, positive mindset. I ‘comforted’ myself with a coconut water smoothie and some raw truffles. Instead of letting it ruin my day I found the strength within to turn it all around and be happy and feel healthy.
This wowed me. I don’t know about you but I never used to have this ability.
Now I do.
So there ya have it. Raw food is not ‘just’ about gaining some more energy to go about your day, glowing skin, maintaining your weight effortlessly or improving your immune system. It’s a different type of energy. A happier and more light-hearted energy. A sense of connection, to yourself and the universe, and fulfillment. A knowing that things are like they are supposed to be and things will be ok.
It is a whole new level of well-being.
Sorry to go all cheesy on your ass but this is not BS. This is simply true. THIS is what RAW is about.
Go ahead, make fun of me.
If not, tell me I am right and share your experiences.
To our health!
Love,
Sabine
“Last weekend I suddenly felt like a paper bag full of crap that had been left on someone’s porch and lit on fire. ”
Hahaha I peed my pants!
Such an awesome post and you really have a ways of motivating and inspiring people to eat healthier/raw.
Hmm maybe it was time to step up my game and eat more raw
. I eat vegetarian, pretty much vegan, and healthy by most standards, but I do miss that elevated feeling of well-being and connectedness I must say. Also, I do look better (skin, weight), but I don;t necessarily have more energy or improved immune system with eating vegan. Been eating veg for almost a year now so I think I am ready for some more improvements 
.
I agree completely! Since I started eating more raw I have become more tolerant and calm in general. I accept things more easily and don’t feel the need to constantly prove to people that my way is right, like I use to before. My whole focus on life has changed. I really think because when you eat raw and wholesome food you become more synchronized with the universe. Its hard to describe the feeling.. its like a spiritual high!
As for the shit eating causing you r body to rebel, I have also experience that, before I could eat junk and my body would not react as bad as it does now, which was strange to me because I though that since you decrease the junk, your body should be able to tolerate it more easily if you have less of it. However I found the opposite to be true, if I have any refined carbs or products which are very salty and contain preservatives, I feel like shit almost instantly after eating them. I felt much less satisfied after eating a vegan take away burger because the only raw bits it had was a piece of tomato and ice berg lettuce, which left me craving dark greens and sprouts! its amazing how your body adapts and where most people would think that a burger would satisfy hunger more that a salad, I beg to differ.
The funniest is when people start lecturing me on how stupid I am to eat this way because I will have 100 of problems later in life, however none of them have ever even tried it. because those who will try it, will see how much better they feel.
I have a massive love for The Big Band Theory. Everything you said was so well said and with a fabulous sense of humor!
I ate completely raw for just one week and I felt like I could run a marathon and walk on water. Simultaneously. It’s amazing how so few days can clear the body, mind, and palate. I crave fruit and veggies so much now and it’s hard to be home with my mother where the feeling isn’t mutual.
Thank you for being so honest about your journey–the ups and downs–because we’re all human, after all.
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“I felt like I could run a marathon and walk on water. Simultaneously.” haha awesome!!
I have been eating a lot more raw and vegan meals over the past 2-3 weeks and I have to say that most days I feel fabulous! Adding tons of vegetables, fruits and nuts into my diet and decreasing everything processed and refined to next to nothing has really uplifted my spirit.
I am not a full raw foodie or even vegan, but I try to eat that way at least 75% of the time. I am one of those who felt that the SAD diet was ok in moderation, that is until I started eating this way. If you’re not sure you want to change your diet I say eat one raw meal a day and see how you feel!
Oh I dont eat raw 100% of the time either, neither vegan anymore (though still mostly plant-based).
That would be great advice for newbies!
Thanks for sharing..luv all the energy! xo
this is the best post on raw I have read, ever
I completely agree with Gayle. This post is amazing, thanks a lot. I think I really should give eating raw a try sometime.
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Thank you Desi!
Geweldige post! Ik ben al een enkele tijd raw aan het overwegen (en ook steeds meer raw aan het eten), maar nu wil ik er echt in verder gaan.
Yay
Hi,
So do you juice when you fancy a snack then? Also do juices count as protein?
X
Hmm not really, I drink juice for breakfast but if I have some leftover I’d have it in the afternoon, or just the day after. I prefer thick smoothies for a snack
Juice does contain amino acids but a glass of juice doesn’t contain sufficient protein to call it a protein source. if you would drink a litre of more a day it does contribute to protein intake
Just came across this site today. Really enjoyed the post, looking forward to reading more
Thanks Joelle
I am not as into this as I imagine most of your readers will be but……….
I used to eat notihng but junk and I had no problem with it, I felt good all the time, I moved to a more healthy diet and have stuck to it for several months, however, I dont feel too much better as everyone lead me to belive I would BUT if I do go back to eating junk as I do from time to time I do feel pretty awful for it!
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