Day 17: Goodbye, Debbie Downer!

I got to thinking today about how I am feeling emotionally.  It is curious to me that the people I know, both directly and indirectly, who eat predominantly raw food seem to be some of the happiest, most lively people I've ever encountered.  For the first time in my life, I can see why.

I can't say I've ever pushed through this many days to eat this way, so I never caught the 'joy bug' that people promise you is yours if you will stay the course and eat a high raw diet like I have this time.  I've been blown away by the moments of bliss that have hit me out of the blue.  

There is no doubt that I am a recovering sugar addict.  Sugar is your body's enemy.  It is a poison that is in almost all processed foods in some way or another.  It depresses your immune system, and it can make you feel sad emotionally.  NEWSFLASH: Getting off of the sugar might help you feel happier!  I'm experiencing this in spades!

I've decided that I really like having a happy attitude.  I think my family is grooving on it, too. There is also a mental clarity and a spiritual acuity side to this that I'm experiencing as well.  Everything seems more in focus.  I have the same stress load (maybe even a bit more this week) and yet there is an underlying 'vibration' of peace and confidence to face it with grace.

When you read about raw food, you'll hear things like you are eating the life force of the plant, the electricity created by the Sun, a vibration.  If that seems a little 'wacka-wacka-woo-woo' to ya', try not to be put off.  I've been sprouting some 'salad mix' (a variety of seeds and beans) and have enjoyed watching it really take off (grow!) the past couple of days.  I think I've lost something in the translation purchasing all of our food from the store and not growing it myself.  It is a revelation to me! Plants are alive!  This is hitting me as I am sprouting. God put His stamp of approval on these things back in Genesis.  His fingerprint is on this. He is in the process. He IS the process.  We get such benefit from eating what He created so perfectly. I love that.  I'm humming with His vibration. Lovely.

If you struggle with the blues, consider cutting back on the sugar (i.e. processed foods of all stripes, alcohol, grains) and upping your fruits and veggies.  You don't have to go gung-ho 100% raw food diet to get the benefit.  But you might find, once you get past the sugar withdrawals (not gonna lie, you'll have them), life could look a whole lot happier.  

Comments

[Ashley Warren]

Beautiful. I know the songbursts. The shouting hallelujah in your hallway. And my children understand being surprised by joy in abundance. Headed back there again. Slow but sure. Lovin your path, and the part where you're taking influence.

[Christi]

Thanks, Ashley! You are a huge influence on my journey. I'm finally 'getting' your 'no moods' rule. It actually seems attainable to have the joy-life you and Todd live out. Want to be the pied piper and take everybody with me who'll come! I want to get a raw food potluck on the calendar and do some recipe sharing. Got a date in February that might work for you to come and join us? Love ya BIG.

[Beth]

RAW FOOD POTLUCK?!?! I was going to mention this too you!! I already have a document titled "raw feast" with some recipes that I am excited to try. and swap! How fun! Pleeeease count me in! Love you Christi...

[Angela Giles Klocke]

I've read your blog from start to this post throughout the day and last night. I've thought about at least going part-time raw (ha ha ha), so I'm really encouraged seeing your journey. I quit coffee 2 weeks ago and have noticed a difference in my energy. I never drank that much to begin with, but I have been seeing these past years I seem to have all kinds of sensitivities or allergies that don't show up on any tests. I have been feeling great. Not my best, but better! And I have also started yoga, since my body can't right now handle anything vigorous.

I think tomorrow's shopping will include a lot of fresh veggies and fruits. Am anxious to try your green smoothie! :)

THANKS!

[Corbin Miles]

I remember very distinctly the night we took the kids out for something... "special." Oh, it was special alright. We went to the Nugget - like a Central Market or Wegmans - in California to get some gourmet "treats" from the bakery. I don't remember exactly what we had, but they were loaded with sugar, butter, chocolate, sugar, flour, caramel... did I say sugar?... and every other manner of decadence you can imagine. (If this is making your mouth water, don't worry, you'll get over it.)

Oh, it looked blissful, but after no more than 2 minutes of the first bite, Stacy and I both had terrible, splitting headaches. Mind you, we had been very hardcore raw for 2 - 3 months. Now isn't THAT "special." Ugh... it was horrible. Over and over again, everytime I slip up, I pay for it.

This is a perfect picture of why SAD food is so bad for you. When your body flushes all the toxins out of your cells and excess mucus out of your bowels, you become very sensitive to putting this stuff back in. Your body wasn't meant to handle it. I've had people question me asking, "If you're so healthy from eating raw, why does SAD food bother you?" I think the answer is simple, I've tuned my body to eat living food. My immune system is boosted, so at first sight of an intruder it leaps into flight to protect my body (this is why we deal with seasonal allergies.) Dead food is foreign to my body. The more I eat, the more my body goes into survival mode to cope with the toxins, and my immune system becomes busy, rundown and desensitized to the onslaught of poisons I've ingested.

Do yourself a favor, once you get off sugar, gluten, and dairy, meat and all things unnatural and SAD, don't go back. The description "getting hit by a Mack truck" comes to mind. It just ain't worth it!

[Ashley Warren]

February 6, 17, or 28??

[Christi]

All of these dates are possible for me, Ashley. Saturday, the 6th sounds good because it is soon and I feel like I could use this sooner than later--probably my first choice. Wednesday (the 17th) I start teaching around 3p, but lunch works great. Sunday the 28th we have house church and then do a potluck anyway. Bethy? Want to chime in on this?

Angela!!! I am so excited you are trying to add more raw into your diet! How are you doing with it today? Where are you taking yoga? We need to get together. What is your schedule like? Want to come to a raw food potluck?

Corbin...as always...thanks so much for your posts. Really keeping me motivated. Deeply, deeply appreciated!

[Angela Giles Klocke]

Schedule...that thing that has few blank spots, right?

Raw almost seems like it's made for me since I hate to cook and always shuck the idea of potlucks - because with the loathing of cooking comes the not being that great at it, too. But raw? Hmmm...

I picked up lots of stuff today in lieu of regular snacks. Need more practice, though. Did not find spinach and didn't have time to hit City Market on their sale.

I'm going to be spending a lot of time at Choices on Thursdays, which will leave Fridays a little open, aside from the tons of homework. Still, hit me with a date and let us see. And yes, we DO need to get together. At least three more years of saying it should make it happen, right? :D And to think, you're a mere couple of blocks away. I shall walk there now. (I kid, I kid.)

I'm doing yoga at home but would LOVE to find a good place with a good schedule with a low price so I can do it for longer and do it better.

[Beth]

ummmm...I agree that the 6th would be great, or we could bring all our raw food madness to the potluck table, yes...either way. Lemme know and I will start chopping and blending my life away!

[Ashley Warren]

Yeah, I just now checked this. Missed the 6th. Feb. 17th is still a glorious possiblity. The 28th is now booked. How about a brunchy on Feb. 17?? Would be so fun.

[Beth]

bring it Ashley!! BRING IT!