The Raw Decision. I am already a healthy eater. I like to think of myself as a “conscious eater”. About 95% vegan diet, satisfying an occasional craving for cheese, salmon, wine.
Last fall, I was introduced to the Raw lifestyle when my Phoenix vegan friend, AZJoe, introduced me to Raw Meetup.com. There I have been to a couple of raw potlucks and raw cooking lessons. I have to admit, it felt like coming home, it felt comfortable and natural. Beautiful people, and wonderful experiences.
As I continued to be intrigued by this lifestyle, I began experimenting by purchasing a blender and ingredients such as dulce, maca power, coconut oil, cacao and hemp oil. I have discovered significant authors, industry advocates & leaders as well as bookmarked web sites that support my decision.
Two steps to my advantage;
I would have to say, that I am already about 50% raw in my vegan diet. I do adore salads; no two alike, containing lots of greens, raw veggies, fresh fruit, seeds…and of course, the mighty avocado. Fruit makes a powerful day starter and final dessert for me.
Having been in the food industry most of my life, and very comfortable in the kitchen, mixing ingredients together, and now with a palate of new foods to explore and all my favorites in the plant kingdom,
I am not leading myself into illusions, that this exploration will always be easy.
To my challenge; I have a tendency to be an emotional eater, and when stressed, though mellowed over the years…sometimes….a bag of chips, a bowl of macaroni and cheese, half a dozen chocolate chip cookies, a nice chunk of baby Swiss, and a bottle of a good merlot makes everything right, albeit for just a brief time…and then there’s coffee, first thing when I arrive at work each day, and leisurely enjoying at my favorite café patio on a Sunday morning, will all have to be transformed, if for just a while.
The Raw lifestyle, has been gently nudging it’s way into my life, with no other reason, than it just seems right. This was reaffirmed by reading some of David Wolfe’s writings about the benefits of live enzymes in food, as it is intended to be, without alteration of cooking.
Now that summer is nearing, and the longing for warm bean soups, and steamed veggies tossed with hummus and pasta are no longer craved for, I am reawakened to the urge of considering an experiment sort of speak, the Raw Food Challenge. Through the summer months of June, July and August.
I believe no food lifestyle should be a religion, but for 3 months I will enter this covenant with myself…to see what unfolds, physically, emotionally and spiritually.
I will continue an active lifestyle working fulltime managing the Prescott College Bookstore, enjoying incredible summer hiking opportunities in northern Arizona and maintaining my membership at the YMCA.
This blog hopes to serve as a window, in which others can peer through, those who have consider the same, or are just curious how this adventurer marches on ward, as….Karen is goin’ raw.
