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"From SAD to RAW" is a simplied way of expressing my journey from the Standard American Diet
to the Raw lifestyle, and then back to somewhere in between - a healthy, vegetarian, high vegan, partially raw way of living.
SAD:
The Standard American Diet reflects what and how most Americans eat
today, whether meat-eaters or merely unhealthy vegetarians.
Standard American Diet foods consist of pretty much anything the Raw
lifestyle does not. Grilled, broiled, fried, breaded, processed,
preserved, fattening foods that are not naturally made and prepared.
RAW:
Living the Raw lifestyle means one eats an approximately 75% uncooked
vegetarian diet. Most raw foodists believe that one must eat at least 75%
raw foods to be considered a true raw foodist. Some raw foodists believe
that to be a true raw foodist, your diet must consist of 100% raw foods.
It's up to you to decide what "percentage" raw you will be.
Raw foods consist of fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, dried
fruits, fresh juices. Some people choose to add sprouted grains and
legumes to their raw diet. Acceptable cooked foods (20-25%) are steamed
vegetables, baked potatoes, and cooked sprouted beans/grains.
On January 1, 2004, my partner at the time (41 years old at the time) and I (29 years old at the time) decided to go
"raw." Although it was quite a sudden decision, the constant
desire for better health and permanent weight loss, was a major factor in
this lifestyle change.
We were "standard" vegetarians from January 1, 2003 until
December 31, 2003; not Vegan, but not meat-eaters for sure. But the
problem with being a "standard" vegetarian, at least for me, was
that the only restriction I had on myself was animal meat. I still ate
bread, cheese, chips, pasta, pizza, sour cream, butter, and many soy
processed products; all of this meant I was indulging in foods high in
saturated fat, excess calories, unnatural sugars and preservatives, and
endless other man-made ingredients.
Eating this way, I actually ballooned from 270 pounds (as a meat-eater) to
310 pounds (as a vegetarian), instead of losing weight as was my goal. I
couldn't understand how being a vegetarian, I was having such weight and
health issues. Now I know.
I set up this website, first, for myself, as a way to organize
recipes, book titles, websites and other information; as a way to journal my
daily food intake and my experience on this journey; and as a way to
watch my progress through before and in-process photos; I set up this
website, secondly, for others who, like me, may have struggled for
years with minor (or major) health issues and obesity.
My hope is that by sharing my experiences with the world, I'll stay motivated
to live a natural, healthy and honest life, and others might benefit from
this experience, as well. I'm currently 100% vegetarian, high (mostly) vegan, partially raw. It feels good to have found a comfortable medium, and I'll keep working to live a clean, healthy life --- mind, body and soul.
My hope is that for those of you struggling to live a raw, vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, you'll be able to use this website to guide you on your journey. Wherever you are at on your journey, this website can be a great resource for YOU!
Your friend in health,
Michelle Reeves
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