A Food Outcast

Last night we had family come over to celebrate a late Christmas. We exchanged gifts and they brought Chinese food, the kids favorite. Joe decided to eat what they brought, but I had no desire to. I didn't want to offend them, and I didn't want to draw too much attention to myself either. It was kind of awkward to be honest. Tiff said loudly, "Mom, you can't eat this food!".

I laughed nervously, and replied, "I could eat it if I wanted to, but I'm choosing not to."

I didn't want to look at my in-laws to see their response. I just smiled as I cut up my tomato and told myself to just stay calm and be confident in my choices. I made a lovely Romaine salad, and went to the table where everyone else was eating the delicious smelling Chinese food.

There were all of my old favorites, crab rangoons, egg rolls, fried rice and chicken wings. I wasn't feeling like I wanted to eat any of it, I just felt a little left out of.... something.

I don't quite know what.

I enjoyed my salad, wondering what my in-laws were thinking where I didn't take any of the food they brought. I didn't say a word to defend or explain myself and neither did they. It felt mindly uncomfortable, like there was a tiny elephant in the room, but we managed to make small talk and enjoy one another's company. I ate quickly and just wanted the meal to be over, so I could feel like I was part of the experience and celebration.

I know it was my own feelings that made me feel "left out", but being fairly new to raw food, these feelings in relation to food are all new to me. We already do things in life that are so different than most people. Living a raw food life is taking it to another level of being "different". This was the first time that I have felt the emotions associated with making different choices regarding food. It was interesting to witness my feelings. It is like spiraling back around again...

I love being Raw. I truly do. I was just not expecting to feel what I did last night being the "food outcast" at a family celebration. It wasn't anything they did to make me feel that way. It was all within myself and I want to be able to deal with the emotions that may come up in a similar situation the next time around. Just another level of awareness! Giddy up!!

I thought I would share some of what I've been eating today with you!

This is a Raw Brussels Sprout and Botija Olive Salad

I never knew that raw brussel sprouts could taste so good! This was delicious!

Raw Chocolate, Banana Ice Kream, with Wild Berry Sauce, Hazelnuts and Coconut.

Rawk your life!

YOU KNOW YOU WANT IT!

Living, raw food doesn't have to be boring! It can be stimulating, exciting, sensual and delicious! When you shift to a raw diet, you will begin to experience life in a whole new way! Raw foods have exceptional affects on both your health, happiness and appearance. When you consume foods that are living, that life energy fuels your body, mind and soul in ways that you can not imagine until you experience it for yourself!

When I first went raw, I craved a lot of sweet treats, but as time when on, these cravings faded and I began desiring living foods that I had never craved before. Once I turned on this primitive desire and healed my body and mind from the standard American diet (SAD diet), I could feel myself changing. I felt a sense of peace and well-being while creating and consuming living foods. I was feeding a part of myself that I had never fed before and I truly feel like it changed my entire physical make-up. I don't know if everyone choosing to go raw will have this profound experience, but I know that I feel like I am more "myself" than I have ever been before.

After changing my diet, I lost weight, my skin became clear, and so did my mind. I felt like becoming raw gave me a upgrade in who I was, and what I was capable of. It felt like my "secret weapon" in a way! I have written a book, written articles for magazines and blogs and have completed many projects with joy and ease, and I know it is directly linked to my shift in nutrition.

I am so grateful that I listened to my heart and made this choice, no matter how drastic or strange as it may seem to some. If you would have told me ever a year ago that I would be eating primarily raw foods, I would have laughed at you! I have never been a vegan, or even a vegetarian at any point in my life! I literally went from a standard American diet, to a high raw vegan - almost overnight, and I will never look back!

Here are some of the delicious, high-vibe, living foods that I have enjoyed over the last six months. I have made these myself, from recipes online, from raw cookbooks, and also just from instinct. I have never been a very good cook, or even enjoyed cooking to be honest. Becoming raw has ignited a fire within me! It is a passion and outlet for my new, fierce creation in the kitchen. I look forward to sharing my journey and maybe even inspiring you to upgrade your life with living, raw foods!

Raw Lasagna

Raw Banana, Berry Pancakes

Raw Flax Seed Crackers with Avocado and Tomato

Raw Vegetable Sushi with Raw Peanut Sauce

Raw Food Benefits — 7 Benefits of a Raw Food Diet

Thank you raw food restraunt guide for this!

Raw Food Benefit #1: More Energy

One of the biggest raw food benefits is having more energy and feeling younger. Raw food contains simple sugars, enzymes, nutrients, and minerals that our bodies need in an easily digestible form. Since less energy is needed for digestion, you have more energy available for other tasks—such as working, playing, exercise, or anything else you want to do. Which brings us to raw food benefit number two…

Raw Food Benefit #2: Easier & Faster Digestion

Raw foods contain living enzymes that help your body digest food quickly and easily. These enzymes are destroyed when food is cooked above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. When you eat a big cooked meal, a large amount of energy is required to digest the meal. This explains why you feel tired and sleepy after a big Thanksgiving dinner (or any large cooked-food meal). With raw food, digestion & elimination are quick and easy.

Raw Food Benefit #3: Lots of Fiber and Naturally Detoxes Your Body

Raw food assists in naturally detoxing your body. When you eat plenty of raw foods, you’re getting lots of fiber, allowing your body to release mucus, toxins, and accumulated waste. When you eat clean food (fresh fruits and veggies), your body can focus on detoxing—instead of having to focus on digesting unhealthy, artificially processed, dead, and packaged foods. Good health requires good elimination—and fiber assists in that process.

Raw Food Benefit #4: Rapid Weight Loss

Another fantastic benefit is raw food weight loss. When you eat a raw food diet, you’ll probably lose weight. Why? Because raw food is pure – it doesn’t contain junk food, harmful additives, hydrogenated oils, or lots of empty calories. Raw food provides maximum nutrition for minimum calories. Plus, fruits and veggies are naturally low in fat.

Raw Food Benefit #5: More Nutritional Value than Cooked Foods

Foods cooked above 118F° will lose enzymes, nutrients, minerals and vitamins. You can compare the energy that surrounds living food to the energy that surrounds cooked/dead food using Kirlian photography. Living foods have more energy, which can be seen with Kirlian photography.

Raw Food Benefit #6: Feeling More Rested & Possibly Needing Less Sleep

Among other raw food benefits, you might experience the need for less sleep. When we eat large amounts of cooked food, the energy required for digestion taxes our bodies. As a result, we need to sleep more to recover. Many people report feeling more rested, and needing less sleep on a raw food diet.

Raw Food Benefit #7: Anti-Aging Benefits

Raw food contains anti-oxidants, which play a big role in reducing the signs of aging. Researchers have concluded that free radical damage causes oxidation — and this is the central process of aging.

Free radicals are created as a side-effect of natural metabolism. They are also caused by drugs, environmental poisons and pollutants. The antioxidants and micronutrients in raw foods (fresh fruits & vegetables) reduce free radical damage, and help prevent the signs of aging.

Here are some more of the delicious foods that

I have enjoyed since becoming Raw!

Raw, Berry Cheesecake

Raw Chocolate Fudge

Raw Onion Rings!! Yes... you read that right!

Raw Stuffed Tomato and Mushrooms

Raw Zucchini and Summer Squash with Raw Garlic Aioli Mayo

My favorite Lunch! Romaine Wraps with Raw Hummus, veggies and apples

Raw, Sprouted Quinoa, Spinach, Mushrooms and Tomatoes

Raw Chocolate Chia Pudding

Raw Raspberry Pina Colada

Raw Mac and Cheese

Raw Spicy Dill Pickles

Raw Vanilla Bean Cheesecake

Fennel and Orange Salad and Raw Creamy Tomato Soup

All photos by Joe Martin, my hot, raw husband!

Visit Joe at Joe Martin Photography

or at our home business, Willow Toys!