Making Raw Pecan/Carrot Patties

Sariah & I made raw pecan carrots patties. They are like a raw "hamburger". Sariah & I both love them. I will post the recipe later. I like making them because the recipe is easy & quick (besides the dehydrating time). The ingredients are also common, easy to find ingredients.
Have a Happy Healthy Day!

We got a GREAT deal on oranges & Cambron & Emma Jo made raw orange juice. The kids were suprised by how sweet it was!

My most amazing husband! & Daughter!

On Sunday, my hubby decided, "I want to be raw!" I was shocked! He has always been very supportive of what I do, but this is above and beyond! He says he knows that he needs it, but he just isn't sure if he can stick w/it. Well, I know from my experience how hard it is to make that transition. It took me several months to become 100% vegetarian and even longer to become a vegan. I will support him no matter what. If he succeeds, I will cheer. If he struggles, I will cheer. He said that either way, he knows he needs to stop eating meat and dairy. Hey, I'll take anything! Not many women get such committed, supportive, and good looking guys! Sorry ladies!

Sariah also decided the same day that she wants to try raw. She became a very STRICT vegetarian about 5 years ago (she was only 7). I know this will be more difficult for her as she loves snacks. I am so very proud of her and will do whatever it takes to support her! Tom and her have been 100% for 2 days in a row!

Have a Happy, Healthy Day!

Surviving, no CONQUERING a chinese buffet w/SUSHI

Ok, so last night was Valentine's day. Tom & I went out with the Steens (very close friends of ours). We drove all the way to Quincy (a 1 hr drive) to go to our favorite restuarant. It is a chinese buffet w/sushi and a bar where you can make your own dishes. For the first time since being 100%, I was some what tempted. On the drive there, I thought to myself, "I have been SO good, a few pieces of sushi won't hurt me." I decided to eat a plate of fruit when I first got there and then make my choice after that. The fruit (apple slices, oranges, & melon) were so sweet and juicy to me. My desire for sushi was suddenly gone. I thought it would be worse once I saw everyone else eating it, but it was just GONE!! I brought my favorite raw salad dressing. I'll post my salad dressing another time.

I normally would have left that buffet feeling deprived having not had my favorite food. Instead I left feeling on top of the world. If I could get you to understand how much I have LOVED sushi, you would understand what a defeat this is. I know now that I am doing this for live! I am commited and VERY excited to be!

Have a Happy, Healthy Day!

More RAW, less sleep!!

Ok, I have been 100% raw now for 11 days. No cheating. That is the longest I've went with ZERO cheating! I have to say that the biggest difference I have noticed is my lack for need of sleep. I have been getting a lot less sleep, but not lacking in energy for it. I used to get a good 7 hours of sleep, then I would sometimes take a 20-40 min nap during the day. Now I've been getting 5-6 hours of sleep. I just wake up between 4:45-5:30 am, and I am ready to start my day. Then I work all day w/out stoping. I never feel the need for a nap. Today I worked remodeling a room and would walk past the kitchen a few times and grab a few raw cashews or figs. That is all I ate until 3pm. I wasn't at all hungry and I was working VERY hard! I am LOVING this. I also just found out that there is another woman in my area who has been 100% for 3 weeks now! Yeah, I found some more support!

Have a HAPPY, Healthy day!!

Being Raw and Social is Possible!

Yesterday, Tom and I went to Iowa City, IA. It is a little less then a 2 hour drive. We were going there to drop of a desk to some friends and to go out to lunch with them. This is a couple I have only met 1 or 2 times. I don't know them very well and they know nothing of me being a raw foodist. I got up early that morning and made a raw homemade salad dressing with the hope that the restuarant we were going to would have a salad.

This would be a true test because I truly did not have control of where we were going to eat. I also did not really feel like getting into a conversation with people I didn't really know about why I eat a certain way.

So we went to a favorite restaurant of theirs. They raved about the diped sandwiches, but I knew I wouldn't be ordering that. When I got the menu I was SO excited to see a large house salad at the top of the menu. It had baby lettuce mix, a few other veggies, crutons, and bacon bits. I ordered it w/out the crutons & bacon bits, and asked them to add black olives (yum). The salad was HUGE and SO yummy! When the waitor asked me what kind of dressing, I said none. To that the woman we were with turned to me and said, "Did you bring your own dressing?" When I said yes, she asked me to try it. It was my Cilantro Dressing. She loved it!

I sat there eating my very delicous and very satisfying salad as I enjoyed the company and the conversation! There were an awesome couple! I left feeling so happy! I had done it. I enjoyed the company, avoided unwanted conversations about food, and stayed 100% raw! It is possible!

Have a Happy Healthy Day!

12 Steps to Raw Foods

I am currentl reading the book "12 Steps to Raw Foods" by Victoria Booutenko. I am loving this book! She discusses how addicted we are to cooked foods and how to overcome that addiction. She discusses the diffrenece between being 95-99% raw compared to being 100% raw, and why it is vital to be 100%. She takes you through the 12 steps to overcome your addictions. This book has completely motivated me! Today is day 4 of my 100% raw food life! I am excited! BTW, I had to end my cleanse at 5 days due to my wisdom tooth. I had a HORRIBLE allergic reaction to the Novicane and threw up, & threw up, & threw up & threw up. . . . .You get the picture!

Have a Happy, Healthy Day!!