Michelle's Raw Journey:
September 2008

Email: michelle at fromsadtoraw dot com
(not a clickable link to avoid spammers)

September 2, 2008

I'm doin' it. I've eaten very well the last few days. I didn't keep a great log for yesterday, but I think this about sums up yesterday's intake...

bowl of cereal (whole grain flakes), raisins, almond milk
orange juice
celery and peanut butter
cantelope
vegan Boca burger patty with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard (no bun)
Jason's Deli salad bar - lettuce, tomato, carrots, red bell pepper hummus, cucumber, green olives, raisins, walnuts, sunflower seeds, almonds, pepitas, italian dressing, unsweetened iced tea
orange juice
bowl of mixed veggies
1/2 bag popcorn (oil and salt only)

And here's today's intake...not a whole lot different from yesterday.

bowl of cereal, raisins, almond milk
water
celery and peanut butter
unsweetened iced tea
salad: lettuce, tomato, carrots, cucumber, green olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, italian dressing
natural applesauce
unsweetened iced tea
cantelope
bag of popcorn (oil and salt only)
vegan Boca burger patty with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard (no bun)
unsweetened iced tea
celery and peanut butter
cantelope
orange juice

Walked to and from the boat today - 35 minutes each way.

I had two "struggles" today, if you can call them that. I didn't cave, but it wasn't the easiest part of my day. One, I had to smell Pizza Hut pizza wafting through the office from 11 am this morning until 7 pm tonight, when I got off of work. Yea, not fun. Two, I had to cook Steph's macaroni and cheese for dinner, while I simultaneously prepared my own dinner. It'll get easier. I'm already feeling better, so only more good things to come.

September 3, 2008

Another day trying to eat healthy among an office of my fast food, junk-food eating peers. Another successful day. At work, they provided pizza and chips yesterday, Subway sandwiches, chips and sodas, along with cookies today, and tomorrow I hear they are providing us with chicken and chips (we're swamped at work, and working short lunches and overtime to catch up). Clearly I don't eat most of those things, so I brought them all home to Steph to enjoy.

Feeling really good. I have lots of energy, am focused, and my body is definitely responding. My jeans fit more loose today...and that's an accomplishment in itself.

Food intake:
- bowl of cereal with almond milk, several swigs of orange juice
- celery and peanut butter
- salad - romaine, tomato, cucumber, celery, sunflower seeds, raisins, pretzels, Italian dressing
- cantelope
- natural applesauce
- vegan Boca burger patty with lettuce, tomato, pickle and mustard (no bun)
- bottle of orange juice
- snacks of celery and peanut butter, pecans, banana with peanut butter and "just like honey" rice nectar
- glass of orange juice
- unsweetened iced tea throughout the day

Exercise: Walked to and from the ferry to work (35 min each way)

September 5, 2008

I could probably copy and paste most days of eating because I tend to eat the same things over and over. I'm not lazy, I just am a creature of habit and like to eat the same things over and over. My clothes are fitting more loose and I'm feeling like I'm losing weight.

Here's a symbol of my strength. I made Steph Taco Salad last night, my absolute favorite recipe in the whole world. I made it vegetarian for her, instead of my typically vegan version. That smell. Holy hell, nothing in this world tempts me like my Taco Salad. But I made it for her, then ate my healthy dinner. Later, we decided to go to Food Lion (grocery store), so we could both get something "sweet." I was going to look for some special kind of fruit, to treat myself. Steph was going to get ice cream or cake. Yes, we're in different eating places, and that's ok. It's actually helping build my strength in knowing I want to eat healthy, be thin, etc. Yes, it's hard. Yes, I wish she was in the same place. But we all have to find our way on our own terms. Anyway, because of Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike right behind her, the aisles were empty, not so much as a banana, peach or strawberry on the shelves. And it wasn't only the produce department that got hit. Every aisle in the store was barren. I had to be proud of the people of Portsmouth (not known for being extraordinarily healthy eaters), for stocking up on fruits and veggies for the impending storm. So, knowing I was also out of cereal, I hit the cereal aisle, being restocked at that very moment. Of course, cereal in a typical grocery store, is typically all "high fructose corn syrup," so after some detail searching, I finally found Shredded Wheat, which doesn't have anything but wheat in it. That was my "treat." And it actually worked. I added raisins, pecans and agave nectar and it was like having dessert, but a healthy one.

Food intake:

- bowl of Special K with red berries cereal, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- celery with peanut butter
- pecans
- salad: romaine, tomato, green olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, pretzels, Italian dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- natural applesauce
- celery and peanut butter
- orange juice
- small apple
- 2 tortillas, guacamole with cilantro and tomatoes, lettuce, leftover "chicken" pieces
- unsweet iced tea
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, raisins, pecans, agave nectar, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- bowl of popcorn

Exercise: walked to the ferry (40 minutes), didn't walk home because it was raining (Steph picked me up)

September 6, 2008

The word of the day is "Challenge." And I made it through with flying colors.

We went to a birthday party this afternoon at 4:00 pm. The person hosting the party is new to veganism, and before I started eating healthy again, we would gleefully discuss vegan recipes and recipe alterations. She did all the cooking for the party today and was so proud that 4 out of 5 of the dishes she prepared were vegan. I hated to do it, but I had her escort me in the kitchen through the various dishes, to see which I could actually eat and not divert from my healthy eating path. I ended up having coleslaw (lime and olive oil), potato salad (olive oil, dijon mustard), and grilled portabello mushrooms (Annie's Goddess Dressing). I passed, of course, on the real bbq sandwiches (brought for the meateaters), and the red velvet cake (made from scratch with a toffutti cream cheese icing). I had seconds, and probably shouldn't have, cause my stomach was reeling the rest of the night. I think it was way too many ingredients after the last week of more simple eating.

Then they brought out the cake. Oh man, it looked really good...vegan cream cheese icing. Holy hell. But I was not about to let my hard work go down the drain. And when the host leaned over and whispered, "Michelle, I made this especially for YOU" (since we are the only two vegans in our group of friends), I felt like an ass for having to firmly but politely say no. I explained that for me, one piece, even one bite of the cake would mean a complete melt down later. It would lead to my eating another piece of cake, or going to buy something else, or eating out something I know I "shouldn't." It would basically end my accomplishments so far and probably any that I would have in the future . I'm an all or nothing person. I eat healthy, or I eat shit. Period. I know myself and must be strong enough for myself and firm enough to others so that I don't fall.

Aside from the food, throughout the evening at the party, and then later at a bar, I was reminded how difficult it is to be a sober person surrounded by drinkers. Food, drinking, smoking...so many things to contend with.

Food Intake:

- bowl of Shredded Wheat, pecans, raisins, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- celery and peanut butter
- pineapple juice
- two tortillas, vegan Boca patty, guacamole, lettuce
- unsweet iced tea
- vegan coleslaw, vegan potato salad, grilled portabello mushrooms
- 2 bottles of water
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, pecans, raisins, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- 1/2 celery spear and peanut butter

Exercise: none

September 7, 2008

I don't want to get in to the habit of feeling I have to journal every single day, but each day I have things I want to say, or remember. So, just a word for the future, I might not always journal every day, but for now it feels right. Anyway...

Didn't wake up today until 1:00 pm, so half the day was gone by the time I got up and around. I really hate that feeling, but we were up til after 2 am, and I haven't done that in a while. Had my standard bowl of cereal, then later had a veggie patty in 3 tortillas. The third tortilla was clearly too much "bread" for me, cause I felt ill for a bit afterwards. I was so tired, I laid around the rest of the afternoon and then we decided to go to the Commodore, a dinner theater in historic downtown Portsmouth to see "Mamma Mia." Wow, what an amazing place, what an amazing movie, what an amazing date night. We had an incredible night, and while the vegan options on the menu were less than desirable (to which I will certainly be offering suggestions to the management), it was all worth it.

So, I was unsure if and how I wanted to share this information I learned about today. Viktoras Kulvinskas, the Father of the raw foods movement, sent out an email with information about an interview he did on Friday with John Stossel of ABC's 20/20. The interview, Victoras thought, was to be about the raw foods movement. Apparenlty, instead, it was John's way of exploring the varieties of people with orthorexia, some of whom turned to raw foods and their disease worsened, "as a result." The letter is below, in case you want to share your experience or opinion with 20/20. I didn't respond to Viktoras, because I am not a believer in his 100% raw teachings, and believe that some people probably do go too far and harm themselves in their search for "health." I did send a comment to 20/20 letting them know my thoughts on the interview (I didn't get to see the interview, but did find this link on their website, to which I responded, and interestingly they did NOT post in the comments section). My comment essentially said that yes, there are raw foodists who are "purists," who go too far, who obsess over eating pure, raw, and often fat-free. I went on to say that there are people whose lives have been saved from implementing the general principles of a high raw, healthy vegan cooked diet, and that I was one of them. I expressed that one-sided, biased journalism such as John Stossels does a dis-service to those who need help and are seeking a healthy change. I think Viktoras is a good man and he was the first lecture I ever went to to learn about raw foodism. But from the first half hour of the all-day workshop more than 4 years ago, I knew that most of what he taught would go in one ear and out the other for me. I didn't follow his path and life choices, and never would. But I know he has helped many people, and for that I commend him. It's the responsibility of each individual to "take what you need, and leave the rest."

Viktoras' email below:

"Dear Raw Food Friends,

On Saturday, September 5th,  Viktoras  appeared on national television on ABC's "20/20" where he was interviewed by journalist John Stosell.

Unbeknownst to Viktoras, it was Mr. Stosell's intent to discredit the raw foods diet and to challenge the time honored principles of health which Viktoras has established over the forty years of his renowned healing ministry.  In a very real sense Mr. Stosell appeared to be blaming the raw diet for the eating disorders which sometimes occur in various individuals.

The content of the show highlighted people who are suffering from what is now being described by physicians as "orthorexia".  Many of the people suffering from this disease turned to the raw foods diet in an attempt to alleviate the symptoms of  their severe emotional and physical ailment.  Many of them were not successful in implementing the health principles which Viktoras has worked so hard to establish.

The interview demonstrated Mr. Stosell's negative bias against and one-sided approach toward the raw foods diet and the health technologies established by Viktoras and the late Dr. Ann Wigmore . Indeed, we do not think it an exaggeration or overstatement to say that Mr. Stosell "ambushed" Viktoras in a national venue. Further, this hard-core journalist did stoop to a rather underhanded personal attack on the Viktoras who we love and who has inspired and helped us all for so long.

As we all know, these principles are widely and successfully practiced at many leading natural health institutes worldwide. When rightly practiced, Viktoras' principles have cured cancer, diabetes, HIV/Aids, and many of the other diseases which plague humankind. They have been a boon to the lives of so many many. Mr. Stosell's interview with Viktoras did not elaborate at all on these positive points which we know to be true. It was apparent that he wanted to discredit Viktoras and the health choices which so many of us have made to our benefit.

We would like to request that you review the blog which ABC has established for commentary on this interview.  We would like to suggest specifically that you share there your positive experiences with the Raw Foods Health Principles.  Here is the web address:
http://www.abcnews.go.com/Health/Stossel/comments?type=story&id=5735592

Additionally, we request that you contact the editors at ABC to urge them to broadcast the evidence of the positive experiences and cures associated with Viktoras' health knowledge and also to complain about their public treatment of Viktoras and his teachings. Here is the web address:
http://abcnews.go.com/Site/page?id=3072379

If possible, please forward this edition of our RAW ENEWSLETTER to interested persons on your email list who may wish to participate in this write-in campaign to ABC News in defense of Viktoras and the truths about health and healing which he has so successfully shared with us over many decades.

Thank you.
Your friends at Raw Enewsletter"

Food Intake:
- 1 celery spear and peanut butter, banana
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, pecans, raisins, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- 3 tortillas, one veggie burger patty, lettuce, guacamole with cilantro and tomatoes
- unsweet iced tea
- Commodore Theater: side salad of iceberg, cherry tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, my own Italian dressing, baked potato with salt, pepper, A1 sauce, unsweet iced tea, plain popcorn
- snacks: apple, raisins, dry roasted/unsalted peanuts, orange juice, two packets of plain grits, unsweet iced tea

Exercise: none

September 8, 2008

Let's see. Some random thoughts for the day.

I listened to an excerpt of Skinny Bitch (downloaded free from Itunes) on my walk to work today and almost started crying when the 17 minutes were over. I must have the full version on audiobook immediately. I can already tell just 17 minutes in that these two chicks are doin' it right, and are having a great time using curse words to convey their points. I giggled each time I heard "ass" or "bitch" or "fuck" (I think I heard that one).

Food smells suck. I can smell french fries from 3.7 miles away. I can tell which way the wind is blowing from the Pizza Hut down the road. And even meaty, disgusting KFC calls to me with what I'm sure is an industrial strength fan blowing directly on the finger-lickin-goodness straight into the streets of Portsmouth. It is so beyond wrong to be choosing to eat healthy, while the world around me gorges on the "good" shit, and insists on shoving it in my face.

I'm in that middle ground where I'm eating enough cooked that I'm not raw, and eating enough raw that I'm not cooked. In addition, I'm thinking back over years of raw gourmet recipes and how good some of them were, and wondering if I actually want to dip my toes back into creating some of those dishes. The idea of it overwhelms me, because I'll have to do some shopping again for things I gave away or sold in years past, when I stopped living a raw lifestyle. I have the Vitamix and Champion juicer, but I dont have my Excalibur dehydrator anymore, or the spiral slicer (great for raw ravioli, my absolute favorite raw entree). The spiral slicer is a hell of a lot less financial and space commitment than the dehydrator, even given the fact that I'm a distributor for the Excalibur. We'll see how it goes.

PS Lost a pound.

Food Intake:
- orange juice
- water
- 2 small apples and peanut butter
- salad: romaine, tomato, cucumber, green olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, Italian dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- red grapes
- banana and peanut butter
- 2 tortillas, Boca veggie patty, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard
- unsweet iced tea
- orange juice
- bag of popcorn ("old fashioned natural")
- pineapple juice

Exercise: two 40 minute walks (to and from the ferry)

September 9, 2008

Quick update, food and exercise only. Working crazy overtime this week and am exhausted...

Food Intake:
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, pecans, raisins, agave nectar, almond milk
- orange juice
- water
- banana and celery and peanut butter (not all together, that's just gross)
- unsweet iced tea
- orange juice
- salad: romaine, carrots, tomatoes, green bell pepper, black olives, cucumber, raisins, sunflower seeds, Italian dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- small apple
- 2 tortillas, Boca veggie patty, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard
- water
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, pecans, raisins, agave nectar, almond milk

Exercise: two 40 minute walks (to and from the ferry)

September 10, 2008

Another quick update. Looking back on yesterday, it was one of my toughest "crave" days. I'm glad I made it through, but the brand new, unopened bag of vegan Doritos (Sweet and Spicy Chile) has been calling my name.

Food Intake:
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, pecans, raisins, agave nectar, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- coffee (yea, I was that tired) with splenda and non-dairy powdered creamer (drank half the cup, ew)
- dry roasted unsalted peanuts
- banana
- salad: romaine, tomato, cucumber, green olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, pretzels, Italian dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- celery and peanut butter
- orange juice
- 2 tortillas, Boca veggie patty, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mustard
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, pecans, raisins, agave nectar, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea

Exercise: none; rained today so didn't walk to or from work

September 11, 2008

Food Intake:
- banana
- unsweet iced tea
- celery and peanut butter
- small apple
- salad: romaine, tomato, green bell pepper, carrots, black and green olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, pretzels, Italian dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- banana and peanut butter
- Jason's Deli - salad bar - romaine, tomato, red bell pepper, carrots, cucumber, red bell pepper hummus, raspberry vinegarette (first plate), french dressing (second plate), raisins, pepitas, walnuts, dried cranberries, slivered blanched almonds, chopped almonds
- unsweet iced tea

No exercise today.

September 12, 2008

Food Intake:
- bowl Shredded Wheat, raisins, pecans, agave nectar, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- celery and peanut butter
- red grapes
- salad: romaine, tomato, pecans, dried cranberries, pretzels, Italian dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- orange juice
- pineapple juice
- Mi Hogar - 3 tortillas, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, salsa, and chips (yes, I said chips - decided when I started that once I month - I'm three weeks in - I'd let myself go out and eat something not on my diet - tonight was it...but oddly, the chips were waaaaaaaay too salty)

No exercise today.

September 13, 2008

Food Intake:
- bowl Shredded Wheat, raisins, pecans, agave nectar, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- 1/4 bag popcorn (Act II old fashioned natural) - shared with co-workers
- orange juice
- 3 tortillas, guacamole, lettuce, tomato, few leftover chips from last night crunched up in the tortillas
- unsweet iced tea
- 1 tortilla, veggie patty, lettuce, pickle, ketchup, mustard
- unsweet iced tea
- Kelly's Tavern - veggie burger wrap with lettuce tomato, pickle, mustard, plain baked potato with A1 sauce
- unsweet iced tea

No exercise today.

September 14, 2008

I've been watching a slew of obesity, diet, and other weight related medical shows on Discovery Health the last few weeks. It's all so good to see other people who struggle with food issues, and always a huge awakening for me to see people in such bad shape due to eating addictions. What an epidemic this country is being faced with.

Food Intake:
- bowl Shredded Wheat, raisins, pecans, agave nectar, almond milk
- unsweet iced tea
- apple and peanut butter
- 3 tortillas, cooked onions and green bell peppers, guacamole with tomatoes and cilantro, lettuce, tomato
- unsweet iced tea
- swig of orange juice
- 1/2 spear celery
- few pecans
- bag of popcorn (Act II old fashioned natural)
- unsweet iced tea
- shake - almond milk, frozen banana, pecans, almond extract, vanilla extract, agave nectar (so good, like butter pecan ice cream)

Exercise:
30 minute walk with the dogs.

September 15, 2008

Food Intake:
- banana
- unsweet iced tea
- orange juice
- pecans
- water
- celery and peanut butter
- salad: romaine, tomatoes, cucumbers, green olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, pretzels, Annie's Goddess Dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- pecans
- banana
- 1/2 bag "old fashioned natural" popcorn
- 3 tortillas, cooked onions and green bell peppers, veggie patty, guacamole with tomatoes and cilantro, lettuce
- unsweet iced tea
- orange juice

Exercise:
- two 40 minute walks (to and from ferry).

September 16, 2008

I ate non-vegan food at dinner - cheesy and creamy. I don't have any excuse, because the chef could have prepared a truly vegan meal for me. I just chose not to eat that way. I chose to have him make the green beans and asparagus without butter, and asked him to not put gravy on the mashed potatoes, but otherwise, I didn't choose healthy. Normally when I eat "crap," I immediately say, "that was so not worth it." This, on the other hand, wasn't like that. The quality and style of this food was so phenomenal, and I enjoyed it immensely. And now I'm right back on that horse, back to eating healthy.

Food Intake:
- water
- unsweet iced tea
- banana, pecans
- orange juice
- pecans
- natural apple sauce
- salad: romaine, tomato, green bell pepper, carrots, black olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, Italian dressing
- unsweet iced tea
- unsalted, dry roasted peanuts
- sunflower seeds
- Comfort Restaurant: steamed asparagus, steamed green beans, mashed potatoes (not vegan), squash casserole (not vegan), sourdough bread, cornbread and butter (not vegan), unsweet iced tea

Exercise:
- 40 minute walk (to ferry).

September 17, 2008

We joined the YMCA tonight and had our first workout. God, I've missed it.

Food Intake:
- 2 pieces of Ezekial toast with natural fruit spread
- unsweet iced tea
- orange juice
- pecans
- sunflower seeds
- celery and peanut butter
- 1/4 bag "old fashioned natural" popcorn
- water
- salad: romaine, cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, carrots, black olives, french dressing, raisins, sunflower seeds
- unsweet iced tea
- 2 tortillas, veggie burger patty, guacamole, cooked green bell peppers and onions, lettuce, tomatoes
- unsweet iced tea

Exercise:
YMCA workout - 20 minutes on elyptical, 2 sets of 10 reps on 4 different arm machines, 10 minutes in the sauna

September 18, 2008

Food Intake:
- 2 pieces Ezekial toast with fruit spread (peanut butter on 1 piece)
- unsweet iced tea
- coffee with splenda and non-dairy creamer
- dry roasted, unsalted peanuts
- water
- few sunflower seeds and pretzels
- "riblets" (vegan bbq ribs), steamed mixed veggies
- water
- celery and peanut butter
- unsweet iced tea
- red grapes
- bag of popcorn
- water
- bowl of Shredded Wheat, raisins and almond milk
- 2 pieces Ezekial toast with peanut butter and fruit spread
- unsweet iced tea
- bag of popcorn

Exercise:
YMCA: 20 minutes elyptical, 20 minutes treadmill walking with some spurts of jogging, a few sets of crunches on the exercise ball, 10 minutes in the sauna

September 19, 2008

Food Intake:
- 2 pieces Ezekial toast with peanut butter and fruit spread
- unsweet iced tea
- 2 pieces Ezekial toast with peanut butter and fruit spread
- orange juice
- salad: romaine, tomato, green bell pepper, carrots, black olives, sunflower seeds, raisins, french dressing, pretzels
- unsweet iced tea
- Red Robin: garden burger and fries, unsweet iced tea

Exercise:
None

September 20, 2008

What can I say? It's been a bad couple of eating days.

Food Intake:
- 2 pieces Ezekial toast with peanut butter and fruit spread
- unsweet iced tea
- orange juice
- "riblets" and steamed corn
- unsweet iced tea
- "chicken" sandwich - boca chicken patty on ezekial toast with lettuce, tomato, pickle and veganaisse
- unsweet iced tea
- taco salad: vegan Doritos, "crumbles", cheese (mix of cheddar and tofutti monterey jack), romaine, ranch with cilantro, chili powder and cumin
- unsweet iced tea

Exercise:
None

September 28, 2008

I'm not doing much during the week other than work and sleep. This weekend was busier than most - Friday night we went to a local women's bar with some friends. Yesterday we went to the beach to the Neptune Boardwalk Festival, where we walked the boardwalk visiting art booths, listening to music, and checking out the sandscupting competition. Today we lounged around until late afternoon and then went down to the beach with the dogs to walk and pick up driftwood, shells and seaglass for our art projects.

I've really struggled with my eating choices - the mornings and days are fine, eating salads, celery, bananas, seeds, etc...but the evenings I haven't done well. Steph actually said today she wants to eat the food we have left in the house and then go high raw with me next week. I am estactic and can hardly believe it. I'm thrilled, since trying to eat healthy alone is extremely isolating and difficult for me.

Will check in when I can. I'm just so exhausted during the week with all the overtime I'm working, that the last thing I wanna do when I get home is get back on the computer.

Click here to visit my sister site where you can purchase raw-food related items.