Starting Weight: 150.2 – down 0.8 – total 6.6lbs!

I’m slowly adding exercise back into my daily routine. I can already tell the difference in my body. I can do more than I could 2 months ago. I’m also noticing my clothes fitting more loosely. Now, I have only lost a total of 6.6lbs, so I know I’m losing body fat. Which is fantastic. Another thing I noticed is when I actually focus down on something, I am super focused and do not get distracted easily like before. That is definitely an improvement. For the most part, my mood has improved as well. It’s easier to be happy, grateful, etc.

Breakfast: Banana

Lunch: Salad

Snack: Apple

Snack: No Bake Cookie

Dinner:

You will notice that dinner was left blank. I ended up making a lasagna last night and it came out beautifully. By the time it was done, it was just about 9pm (it took me two hours for some reason…), and I was completely exhausted and did not have an appetite at all. I totally could have  put in the lasagna and you never would have known, as skipping dinner is something I’d never do. But I like having this relationship of honesty with you and with myself. Surprisingly enough, it didn’t effect my weigh in.

Starting Weight: 151.0 – 0.8 – 5.8lbs total

The scale moved again! Makes for a happy mood this morning! I’m feeling great today well. I was shaky when I first got out of bed, but once I started drinking my green smoothie, I felt much better. I got 110% of Iron today. Thank you, Kale. Kale is so good for you! Makes the smoothie a little chalky and not as smooth as just using spinach, but totally worth the health benefits!

Breakfast: Green Smoothie (Kale, Spinach, Celery, Apple, Banana)

Lunch: Tuna Salad (Mock Tuna on a bed of Kale, Tomatoes, Carrots)

Snack: Orange

Dinner: Banana Wrap (it’s a breakfast item, but so yummy)

Dessert: Real No-Bakes (Blender & freezer is all you need)

Weight 151.8 - Total Lost 5lbs

So this is the start of week 2, and I’m getting back down to basics. My focus this week is to apply what I’ve learned from my research of vegetable/fruit based protein, iron, calcium, etc. and apply it daily. I’m making things simple this week, as my body NEEDS more of these key vitamins and minerals. Also needing to make sure I stay hydrated throughout the day by drinking plenty of water. This week is also going to be tough as I’m dealing with ‘mother nature’…so it is SO important that I am correctly nourishing my body during this time. And can I just mention that I HATE headaches!!! They suck, and they suck the energy right out of you! Especially tension headaches.

Breakfast: Green Smoothie (Spinach, Celery, Cilantro, Banana, Kiwi)

Lunch: Salad

Snack: Orange

Dinner: Spaghetti

Dessert: Brownie

Did better on Calcium, Iron and Protein, but still not there. Give it another go tomorrow!

*Light, Love & Health* ~ e.R.

Starting Weight: 151.8 – down 1lb

Week 1 Total Weight Loss: 5lbs!!!!!

I may have over done it yesterday, pushing myself too hard during my workout. I feel a little shaky and just off. I’ve been tracking my food, as much as possible, on caloriecount.com to see how I’m doing on my vitamins and minerals. For a few days I’ve been low on calcium, protein and iron. It’s time to do some serious analyzing on my daily intake. Yes it’s fun doing these recipes and finding new things to eat…but I could be eating more fruits and vegetables (imagine that…). Although, my bread came out of the dehydrator this morning so I will definitely be adding that to meals!

Breakfast: Raw Donut

Lunch: Tuna Sandwich

Snack: Orange

Dinner: Raw Spaghetti (zucchini noodles with a sundried tomato sauce…DELICIOUS!)

Dessert: Brownie

Chugging water as I type to try to get all of that in before bed which I know isn’t a good idea, but I did not get it all in today.

What Was Learned in Week 1: Although I practiced recipes beforehand, and studied blogs, websites and books for months, it still didn’t prepare me for the prep time of making my meals. This truly is not just a diet…it’s a lifestyle shift. I literally am re-arranging my life around prep time, buying a ton of tools needed (granted you can do this without a dehydrator or a kickass high speed blender, but you’ll be bored with just a salad everyday, or at least I would be), and spending soooo much money on nuts, veggies and fruit. ALSO learning to buy FOR my meals…seriously…veggies don’t last that long in the fridge…you have to use those bad boys up fast or you’ll be throwing them out and wasting a ton of food and money. Also learning that while making these recipes are fun and exciting, I’m also not watching my intake of minerals and vitamins close enough and not allowing enough fruits and veggies into my meals. Sounds crazy, huh? But, if you pick a dish that only has one or two veggies in it, and one fruit in your breakfast, it may seem like a big and wonderful meal…but you’re not getting enough of what you need, and then really, what’s the point?? So I am learning to track everything I put into my body on a log that automatically adds up the vits/mins/cals per the serving I digest. This is a LOT of work. And I’m still not over my craving. It’s been really hard some moments and have thought about caving, but then I don’t want to fail myself or any of you. My health, YOUR health is worth fighting through a craving.

All in all, week 1 was fun, tough, stressful, exciting, and encouraging. Not only have I lost weight, but I’m already starting to inspire people around me. You may be thinking about this as a weight loss plan, and it is, but it is SO much more than that, and you deserve to treat yourself much better than just going onto a diet plan. And if that is what you are looking to do here…take warning now…this isn’t for you. It’s too much work and too much time spent on just trying to lose weight. This is for health. Optimum Health.

Week 2 Forecast: Focus on getting my Iron, Calcium, and Protein up, which means lots of dark green leafy veggies like Kale, Spinach and Collard Greens. Easiest way to incorporate them is in a smoothie and a salad. So this week you won’t see too much of an interesting menu, but my health is what comes first. This weekend, however, I plan on making a LOAF of almond bread with homemade RAW jam and almond butter (that’s a PB&J kiddos, BOOM), a pizza with “cheese” and sauce and toppings (of course all of it RAW and VEGAN) and some raw stuffed mushrooms (I really LOVE my dehydrator!).

Spaghetti

Flat Onion Bread (cut into pieces)

*Love, Light & Health* ~ e.R.

*I am not a Medical Doctor and would never and will never give Medical Advice. The statements in this blog are solely my experience and the results seen of others and myself while on a Raw Food Diet. My specific claims may not be yet proven by the FDA or any other Health/Food Organization. You should not start any Diet or Exercise Plan without first seeking consultation from your Medical Doctor. I am not responsible for your actions and my blog is not responsible for your actions.*

I know, right?! How yummy do these look?! And they are SO SIMPLE!!!

Donuts:
2 Bananas
1.5 C Golden Flax (I used regular, hence the darker color)
1/2 C Shredded Coconut

Toppings:
Coconut Oil
Raw Honey
Cacao Powder (Or Cocoa powder)
Agave Nectar
Shredded Coconut**

Donuts: Mash Bananas in a bowl with a fork. Grind the flax into a powder (coffee grinders work great for this, or use a small high speed blender). Add shredded coconut. Stir into dough. Form large balls with your hands and poke a hole through the middle. Dehydrate on 105F for 2-4 hours (if you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use your oven on the lowest setting, usually 170F, and leave the door cracked at least an inch for moisture to escape, for 1-2 hours).
Toppings: Chocolate Glaze: Mix coconut oil (liquid form) with cocoa powder and  1/2 tsp of agave. Honey Glaze: Mix liquid coconut oil with raw honey. Coconut Topped: Use the Honey Glaze then dip into shredded coconut.

ENJOY!

**Recipe adapted from Bryan Au - added coconut, might need to add agave nectar to help sweeten.

*Light & Love* ~ e.R.

Lately when I wake up, I’m wide awake and feeling good. But I’m frustrated today. Upon stepping onto the scale, I held the same number as yesterday, the exact same number. I did not lose a single ounce. Now I’m proud of myself for losing the 4 I have lost up to this point. I suppose I may have gotten selfish seeing the number drop each time I step onto the scale. But nonetheless, 152.8 I am. I feel anxious this morning too. I know that it’s not caused by this diet. I have certain stressors in my life and I think today I am facing some of those without being able to rise above them.

I am however in the mood to do zumba. One thing I haven’t done on this diet, yet, is work out. I didn’t want to put my body through too much at one time. But now being on the 6^th day, I think it would be good to get out some of this negative energy and let myself flow with the music. If you haven’t tried Zumba, you are missing out BIG TIME! You burn calories so fast, it should be illegal.

I had some GREAT food today! Also trying my new dehydrator for the first time! SO excited! I have bread, fruit and donuts going…this week is going to RAWK! (yes, when doing the raw diet it seems you grow accustomed to changing adjectives, such as “awesome” and “rock”, by inserting “raw”. i.e. “rawsome” and “rawk”.)

Breakfast: Raw Apple Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal

Lunch: Stir-Fry (raw broccoli, peppers, and carrots in a delicious sauce!)

Dinner: Tuna Sub (Nut pate to mock tuna in a romaine leaf w/tomatoes…friggin’ incredible)

Dessert: The Best Damn Brownie in the World! (this time made with pecans)

                 Stir-Fry

                  Tuna

*Light & Love* ~ e.R.

Starting Weight: 152.8 – down 1lb – 4 lbs total!

Slept great and woke up feeling refreshed and in a great mood. I love laughing until tears are running down my cheeks and my sides ache. I especially love laughing like that before I get out of bed!

Today I spent the day out with a couple friends. We ended up going out to eat. My first experience eating out and being raw and I don’t think I did too badly. I was shocked at the lack of menu. Every single salad option was covered with some type of meat and cheese and heavy dressing. While my friends ate pasta and creamy cheesy chicken, I ate an Asian inspired salad…please hold the chicken, crispy noodles, thank you! It basically ended up being lettuce, shredded carrots, sliced almonds and a dressing that I fear was not raw. Next time, I will be holding the dressing as well, and asking for avocado instead. Overall, my food today, although tasty, wasn’t the healthiest…as far as raw diet goes. Live and learn.

Breakfast: Pina Colada Smoothie (If you haven’t had a Young Thai Coconut, you are missing out!)

Lunch: Asian Salad

Snack: Blueberry Cheesecake

Dinner: Banana & Almond Butter Wrap and Carrot Sticks

Note for tomorrow: Research sources of Calcium!!

 *Light & Love* ~ e.R.

Starting Weight 153.8 - Down 1lb – 3lbs total!!!

I felt quite alive this morning…once I got out of bed. I was full of energy. Now it’s hard to keep energy up when you work behind a desk all day long, so I have my periods of tiredness. I am craving veggies today. I haven’t had just a salad since day one and my body is saying MORE! So a big salad for lunch was in order.  

Breakfast: Chia Seed Porridge (quite an experience)

Lunch: Salad

Dinner: Banana & Almond Butter Wrap

Dessert: Blueberry Cheesecake

No Snack today, but tons of water!

*Light & Love* ~ e.R.

Starting Weight 154.8 - Down 0.8lbs - 2lbs total

I actually felt pretty refreshed this morning. Got into a long discussion with work colleagues today as to what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I realize I haven’t filled any of you in on it, and now is a good time to do so!

In October of last year, I had a reaction to an antibiotic, which also triggered a panic attack. I ended up in the ER with my first IV ever, and so sick that I couldn’t eat for days. That incident tuned me into my body more than ever before. Every little “off” thing my body felt, I noticed and started analyzing. This caused extreme anxiety, which in turn, caused a bunch of other awful things to happen inside me, including and not limited to, heart burn, headaches, chills, nausea, fogginess…I could go on. One good thing that came from this was weight loss. Within 3 months I lost 20lbs, not even trying. That alone was a wakeup call. I had 20lbs to lose…and I’m nowhere near a healthy weight? Do I feel that weight affects my health? Absolutely, but I also believe that every person is different and their healthy weight can be completely separate from my healthy weight and so I’m not going by any chart to tell me what my healthy weight is. However, I do know that my body is not healthy, and that was and is my main concern.

I heard about the raw diet through connection with vegetarians. I had been a vegetarian in high school and again in my early twenties. I didn’t feel as great as I thought I would, and eventually gave up. Being sick and ridden with anxiety, I started reading about what I had heard about the amazing advantages of a Raw food diet. It claims weight loss, increased focus, increased energy, clear glowing skin, and health. I found out that by cooking foods, we are losing much of the nutrients; nutrients our bodies need to survive. I’m not going to go into an argument as to why eating vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds is the healthiest diet, and it can seem kind of drastic, but for me, it’s exactly what I need. It’s a Detox. What do I have to lose anyways…besides weight! And how can I NOT be healthier? I’m not taking in any processed foods, flours, gluten, saturated fats, preservatives, chemicals, refined sugars… this alone is major!

Yes, I want to lose weight, but I want to be healthy, and that is my ultimate goal.

I mentioned this is a detox. I am breaking addictions to sweets, like cake and cookies, and carbs like breads and pastas. I’m cleaning my body from all the fried, fatty, sugar loaded foods I ate. My body is going through withdrawals, but not too bad. Mostly I just want a frickin’ piece of bread! I had a moment at lunch when I became like a 2 year old having a tantrum, “I WANT BREAD NOW!” I even threw in a whimper. Lucky for me, I have an incredibly supportive boyfriend and he didn’t cave when I pestered him for a chip or just one little tiny microscopic bite of his sandwich. It only lasted a few moments though, and I was quickly slurping up my gazpacho and feeling satisfied. So while I did whine and whimper, maybe even begged for a few seconds, I didn’t cave and no bread, meat, or chips touched my lips. I knew this would be hard and I know it will get easier. I’m happy that I got over the craving. Each time I beat it, it will get easier and easier. I’m proud of myself! So what DID I eat???…

Breakfast – BIG Fruit Bowl – Pear, Banana, Strawberries, Kumquats, Kiwi

Lunch – Cucumber Gazpacho (Leftover from yesterday. Flavors were more combined)

Snack – Fruit (1 sm slice watermelon, 2 sm slices honey dew, 2 grapes, 2 chunks of pineapple)

Dinner – Rawmazing Cheese Sauce over Carrot Noodles (Leftover. Added basil and other spices)

Dessert – Blueberry and Lavender Cheesecake!!

FYI – Totally had MORE than 64oz of water today. BOOYAH!

Est. Calories of the above - 1155

  
Blueberry Cheesecake

*Light & Love* ~ e.R.