A trip to Cafe Gratitude and thoughts on raw gourmet and militant raw veganism...
I love raw gourmet. Really. I think it's amazing that I can inhale an entire banana cream pie + multiple salads and smoothies in a day and maintain my weight while keeping my energy high. I feel better eating raw "lasagna" than the real thing. However, I feel like I'm starting to reach a plateau on my raw journey, and I'm starting to think that 100% is not the answer.
Last night I went to Cafe Gratitude with my friend and ate a wonderful meal. Appetizers and a taco salad for me, topped with a mint milkshake. BOMB. It all tasted so good and fresh. But when I got up to walk down the street to the bar [I wasn't drinking] to dance, I felt sluggish and clogged. Maybe I overdid it with the milkshake, but it's hard to turn down raw treats when you're already there!
I went home early and slept for 10 hours. My skin has been looking amazing lately, but this morning it was all broken out and blotchy. I felt dehydrated when I woke up. Maybe all the flax crackers and nut spreads and ice creams weren't working with my body. Interestingly, in the days before I had fruit for breakfast, then lots of seaweed and greens with sashimi or edamame and more greens with goat cheese for dinner and all week I was GLOWING.
My new conclusion based off the last few weeks is that I suspect that "raw" nuts and seeds are often not actually raw and I question whether they are beneficial in such high amounts. I also have decided that raw fish, more greens, and small amounts of goat dairy agree with my system well. I know a lot of people like 811 because of the energy, but when I eat high fruit I am so spaced out that I cannot get anything done. I do best with berries, avocados and coconuts, lots of greens, and high quality non vegan foods.
I think many people who are raw vegan feel like they have found the answer, or are almost there. One dietary modification away. A little more discipline and you'll be perfect. I don't think this is the case. Like life, food is a fluctuating process. I'd rather experience some of the local vegetarian dishes of India on my trip this winter than stress out over what I'm eating all the time and not enjoy it. I'm not gonna regret getting a vegan burrito [albeit one with extra avocado and veggies, light rice and beans :)] after a long, fun night out with my friends. If anything I learn from eating shit that fucks up my body and snap back into shape immediately after. My bad choices inspire me to move ahead with better ones. What you eat is important, but it is not everything. I am frustrated with the raw community because it seems that with many people involved in it food becomes everything, instead of fuel to create a life and an identity beyond food.
A thought I have had recently is that maybe so many people defend 100% raw to the death because they feel like they OWE raw something. Like they lost x amount of pounds on raw and felt awful but now they are fabulous and happy, so what would it mean if they weren't 100% anymore? Would they regress into their past selves who they still feel anger and regret for? Raw IS who they are now. I've noticed that many of the more defensive raw people are typically either people who a) have had some kind of amazing transformation like losing 100 lbs and reversing diabetes or heart disease, b) have become part of the business of raw food, or c) some combination of the two.
I guess I should end by saying that I still love me some raw foods and raw energy, but just like cooked foods not all raw foods are created equal. At the same time, a little raw pigging out is good from time to time, and I think it's ridiculous to see food only as fuel while not considering the intrinsic quality of eating.
Last night I went to Cafe Gratitude with my friend and ate a wonderful meal. Appetizers and a taco salad for me, topped with a mint milkshake. BOMB. It all tasted so good and fresh. But when I got up to walk down the street to the bar [I wasn't drinking] to dance, I felt sluggish and clogged. Maybe I overdid it with the milkshake, but it's hard to turn down raw treats when you're already there!
I went home early and slept for 10 hours. My skin has been looking amazing lately, but this morning it was all broken out and blotchy. I felt dehydrated when I woke up. Maybe all the flax crackers and nut spreads and ice creams weren't working with my body. Interestingly, in the days before I had fruit for breakfast, then lots of seaweed and greens with sashimi or edamame and more greens with goat cheese for dinner and all week I was GLOWING.
My new conclusion based off the last few weeks is that I suspect that "raw" nuts and seeds are often not actually raw and I question whether they are beneficial in such high amounts. I also have decided that raw fish, more greens, and small amounts of goat dairy agree with my system well. I know a lot of people like 811 because of the energy, but when I eat high fruit I am so spaced out that I cannot get anything done. I do best with berries, avocados and coconuts, lots of greens, and high quality non vegan foods.
I think many people who are raw vegan feel like they have found the answer, or are almost there. One dietary modification away. A little more discipline and you'll be perfect. I don't think this is the case. Like life, food is a fluctuating process. I'd rather experience some of the local vegetarian dishes of India on my trip this winter than stress out over what I'm eating all the time and not enjoy it. I'm not gonna regret getting a vegan burrito [albeit one with extra avocado and veggies, light rice and beans :)] after a long, fun night out with my friends. If anything I learn from eating shit that fucks up my body and snap back into shape immediately after. My bad choices inspire me to move ahead with better ones. What you eat is important, but it is not everything. I am frustrated with the raw community because it seems that with many people involved in it food becomes everything, instead of fuel to create a life and an identity beyond food.
A thought I have had recently is that maybe so many people defend 100% raw to the death because they feel like they OWE raw something. Like they lost x amount of pounds on raw and felt awful but now they are fabulous and happy, so what would it mean if they weren't 100% anymore? Would they regress into their past selves who they still feel anger and regret for? Raw IS who they are now. I've noticed that many of the more defensive raw people are typically either people who a) have had some kind of amazing transformation like losing 100 lbs and reversing diabetes or heart disease, b) have become part of the business of raw food, or c) some combination of the two.
I guess I should end by saying that I still love me some raw foods and raw energy, but just like cooked foods not all raw foods are created equal. At the same time, a little raw pigging out is good from time to time, and I think it's ridiculous to see food only as fuel while not considering the intrinsic quality of eating.
Add a Comment
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Comment by Steve on August 30, 2009 at 5:59pm -
I would attribute your sluggish, clogged sensation from the high quantity of fat that was consumed. Excessive fat disrupts the body's ability to transport and deliver oxygen to the cells. When doing high fruit it is important that fat intake remain low.
Everyone can be different though...
best of luck
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Comment by Mariam on August 29, 2009 at 11:09pm - No stress, at the end of the day its all just food, your body will tell you what it wants and needs.
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Comment by Karoline Strømme on August 29, 2009 at 5:32pm - Oh, and great pointers from you too, Lisa Marie ; D
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Comment by Karoline Strømme on August 29, 2009 at 5:29pm
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Very well written! As a total newbie to the raw food lifestyle (but always a big fruit & veg eater all through life), I´ve been really excited just researching as much information as I possibly can, getting great recipes from both the web & books- simply just educating myself on all of the new aspects. I must admit that the more totalitarian and almost "militant" approaches I´ve seen from some people, leaves me a little uneasy, and the mentality of "this is the only way", almost makes me want to rebel before even beginning...hahahh- well not really- but I think it can feel a bit imposing and off putting, particularly for someone new to Raw Food. I also truly believe that it´s more than anything about feeling your way a lot of the time, and really listen to what your body is needing, be it mono meals, a simple salad, or a full on gourmet meal. I also think this is simple psychology- as soon as you make certain elements in your life off limits, they become intrinsically more alluring and powerful. But if you approach anything, be it food or life in general with a more open mind, and a relaxed attitude, things become more natural, relaxed and second nature....And you won´t be so drawn to the "illegal" stuff....Another aspect I´m really interested in is this divide I´m already feeling there is- and correct me if I´m wrong here, but the ultra purists (Fruitarians, 80-10-10) and the gourmet/super food inclined...Is there an actual divide as such? Great to get some insight from someone who´s been doing this for a good while ; )
Currently I´d say I eat about 70-80% raw, and I´m feeling better and better by the day. As it stands, I think I´d only choose to go 100% in periods- but who knows ; ) I love traveling, and the thought of going to India & Thailand without being able to sample some of the local foods, is kind of uhhhm- as I also feel food is such an intrinsic part of a country's culture. But hey, that´s just me ; D
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Comment by Andrea on August 29, 2009 at 4:21pm -
I enjoyed reading this, way to go! It sounds like you are really in tune with yourself and that is awesome!
In Peace, Love and Light,
Andrea
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Comment by AwesomeUniverse!!! on August 29, 2009 at 9:45am -
What were the appetisers like? Was the shake made with cashew milk? Was there taco
"meat" on the salad?
Sounds like fun though!
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Comment by Mizpah on August 29, 2009 at 9:27am -
Great post. I agree with yogabrudder that you know what works for you and also that you probably would have been fine with the meal if you skipped the milkshake :)
It certainly is an ongoing journey and the most important thing to remember is that we are following this lifestyle to be healthy and happy, not with the goal of being a strict raw foodist. At different stages in our journey we may require different approaches.
It seems like you already have a good understanding of what works for your body so I say you are on the right track. Plus I also agree that it can be good to break out every now and then to appreciate life in all its aspects.
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Comment by peanut on August 29, 2009 at 8:20am -
Wow -- this is exactly what I needed to read right now. I have been "tweaking" my raw diet for about a year but still not feeling good. It all gets too restrictive! You must have moderation and lots of room to adjust to changing needs.
That said, I do think 100% raw can be a powerful way to live at times. For example, when others are getting sick, I usually don't. I genuinely believe that's because of the way I eat.
I also think that if eating 100% raw leads you to binge on nuts or fruit or anything else, that's not good. Balance is where it's at... but balancing is an ongoing, active process of tuning in to your needs and making adjustments.
Thanks for writing this, Rachel!
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Comment by Kristen's Raw on August 29, 2009 at 5:40am -
I have gone through phases with different levels of raw and what worked for me. I'm always vegan, but my level of raw changes. My digestion seems to change and tolerate some things better than others at times, while other times, anything goes. So, I just listen to my body and make adjustments and try different things when it feels right.
Cheers,
Kristen
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Comment by YogaBrudder on August 29, 2009 at 2:52am - Oh, I think I should say I got half way through and your piece got too complicated for me.
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