Report #3: Conclusions on the Raw Food Detox

Despite the fact that some people did think I was a little cookoo, I am so proud of myself for completing seven days of a purely raw food diet! Overall, it was a very positive experience. I have discovered many delicious recipes for smoothies, entrees and side dishes that I can offer to my future clients, friends and family, who maybe interested in giving raw food a chance. I will also continue to prepare smoothies and juices a few times a week in the mornings. Even if the rest of my day consists of less healthy eating, I could feel good knowing that I already started my day with a bountiful dose of fruits and veggies. 

Now, with that said, I don't think living off a purely raw food diet is necessarily for me. Towards the end, I felt lightheaded and weak, and lost four pounds. That's right I lost four pounds in seven days which is pretty crazy because I was eating as much raw food as I wanted. I really missed having hot food especially when I had to leave my home to face the cold (luckily it wasn't too cold this week). Since I had lost a lot of weight relative to my size, I felt like only eating fruits and vegetables left me feeling very light and made me crave heavier proteins (such as grilled chicken breast,  fillet of salmon or eggs) to ground me.

I also became very emotional on the last day. I have always been an emotional eater and even though, throughout the years, I have learned to control my portions and not over eat, being on this detox made me realize how certain foods are my emotional clutch. I became more aware of certain emotions that I didn't even know I had in me, particularly anger. This forced me to stop reflect on myself, my life and the path that I have chosen. This isn't an easy thing to do but it is definitely necessary in order to understand ourselves and live a life of fulfillment.

Preparing the ingredients for the meals was a lot of work! However, I knew that I was putting those ingredients to the best use possible and was getting the most nutrition out of them, made all the hard work to buy the ingredients, wash them, prep them, cut them, and blend them worth it. Also, having had a wedding, bridal shower, friend's birthday party and a family function, during the course of the detox, where I could not eat 95% of the food made me realize how severely lacking leafy greens, vegetables and fruits are in our everyday diet, and how much I take food for granted in general. Food plays such an important role in all of our lives so it was nice to be able to stop and appreciate that.

Doing something that is out of your comfort zone is difficult but the results are worth it, and most of us strive to lose a few extra pounds anyway, so why not try the raw food diet? In that respect, I will be doing this detox in the fall and spring time and whenever else I feel like my body is being overtaken by too many toxins. So I will keep you posted when the next detox will occur. 

Report #2: Phase 2 of the Raw Food Challenge!

Hello All, Nelly here reporting on the last five days of the raw food detox. It seems like I breezed through the first three days of the all smoothie and soup blended phase one. I was surprised how filling the smoothies were. The days that I did not take lunch with me, I would get home from work starving, but I was only able to have a cups worth of dinner if not less. Maybe because each smoothie and/or soup is jammed pack full of nutrients and is just enough to satisfy my body's hunger for good nutrition (it could also be that I was just sick of sipping liquid for dinner, or a combination of the two). I  find myself wandering the streets of Manhattan and smelling Starbucks coffee where ever I turn. What I wouldn't give for a Grande Soy Latte, my guilty pleasure. It make's me wonder, what do these particular foods do for me physically, as well as, emotionally in my everyday life and why can I not live without them? Hmm.

 There have been some positive changes I have noticed. First of all, I can't remember the last time my skin has been this clear, it has a glowing sheen that feels firm yet smooth to the touch. I think it is safe to assume that incorporating more raw food into the diet can help clear up skin problems. Another thing I have noticed, and yes I must go there, is that going to the bathroom has never been easier, and yes I am talking about #2, enough said. One unexpected outcome has been my heightened sense of smell and taste. Don't get me wrong I love having heightened senses but I am wondering, is this happening because of the Raw food I am eating or just that I miss regular food so much that I smelling it where ever I turn? I have also been sleeping a little less and feeling not as tired the next day. For those of you who don't like sleeping raw food maybe the diet for you! My energy level has been steady and I have not been experiencing any highs or crashing lows since starting the diet. However, I have been experiencing some weakness and lightheartedness, and even though I am allowed to eat as much as I want of the recipes and Raw food in general, I feel a little lethargic and find myself dreaming of grilled chicken breast at night. 

A couple of days ago I started eating raw food with texture which was really exciting...my favorite recipe yet has been the creamy pesto salad and I have included the recipe below. I am look forward to eating as much salad as possible in the next few days. Now, you might be wondering what the above photos of delicious looking food are. Well, My brother in law and his girlfriend, who are also on the raw food detox with my husband and I, had recommended a vegan raw food restaurant in the east village called Quintessence. Tonight we decided to try it out with my mother and father in law and boy was my socks knocked off! It was literally THE BEST raw food I have ever had and I highly recommend it to anybody who is curious about what good raw food taste like. For our first course, we tried a mini pizette piled with a tangy nut based cheese, fresh tomato, avocado, pesto sauce, and caramelized onion. It was the best pesto I have had in a long time. For our entree we split a lasagna, I haven't the faintest clue how they were able to put this together but it was also saucy, filling, and creamy, everything you would expect of real lasagna We also tried 'The All American Burger,' a garden burger patty seasoned with smoky BBQ seasonings and served with corn chips. My husband ordered a side of live hummus with flax seed crackers and Italian Sausage Pizza with Italian 'sausage' nut meat on creamy nut cheese, and chunky tomato sauce. For our last course we dabbled in the restaurant's 'guiltless dessert' menu and ordered the Tiramisu and the Pecan Pie. Both desserts were so delicious and if I hadn't known better, I would never think it was raw. After that, my in-laws treated us to a few desserts at a vegan raw food take out place called, The Juice Press, also recommended to us by my brother in law and his girlfriend. We tried the chocolate truffles, berry 'Cheesecake,' and tangy kale chips with goji berries, curry and lemon. I have also tried their chia seed pudding and chocolate coconut mouse which were fabulous as well. Overall, it has been quite the adventure delving into the world of raw food and there will be more to follow. 

 The Juice Press

279 east 10th street ny, ny 10003 -

between 1st avenue and avenue a (10am-10pm 7 days)

http://thejuicepressonline.com/

Quintessence

263 E 10th Street 
(btw. Ave A & 1st Ave)
NYC 
(646) 654-1823

http://www.raw-q.com

      

Creamy Basil Pesto Salad   

Ingredients:

1 cup basil

1/3 cup pine nuts

1/4 cup olive oil

5 cloves garlic

1/2 piece of lemon (peeled)

1/2 of lemon (juice)

1/2 tbsp raw honey

2 tbsp red onion

water to consistency 

Process: 

Blend and then make Chopped Tomato Salad below to serve over.

Chopped Tomato Salad

Salad Ingredients: 

3 chopped tomatoes

3 chopped cucumbers

1/2 cup chopped red onion

1 head Romaine lettuce

Dressing Ingredients: 

2 tbsp olive oil 

2 tbsp mustard

1 tbsp water

2 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 pinch sea salt

1 pinch black pepper 

Process: 

Pour dressing over chopped tomato salad. 

Report #1: Phase 1 of the Raw Food Challenge

Today is the first day of the raw food challenge. Nothing but blended fruit smoothies for breakfast and blended soups for dinner for the first half of the detox (the next three days). I  found myself going to the refrigerator to look at my regular food on many occasions today. Even though my breakfast smoothie was delicious (I have included the recipe for this morning's citrusy, tangy and nutritious Green Smoothie below) I miss my normal food routine and I am wondering how I am going to make it through the next week. I have always been an emotional eater and looked to my food (mostly sweets) to help me get through tough times.I find comfort in the fact that I am doing this for my future clients, who may want to know more about raw food. Having (hopefully) lived through a raw food diet for one whole week, I will be able to give them ideas, insight, and guidance based on this experience.  I feel the same physically and haven't experienced any significant changes, although, I am sure I will have a lot more to say about that in my next blog when I start phase two.

Nomi’s Favorite Green Smoothie  Breakfast

(From “Smoothies for Optimum Health” www.ultimatesmoothierecipes.com)
Ingredients:
Juice from 4-6 oranges or tangerines
5-6 cups assorted greens (use leftovers!)
2 cups papaya (for smooth consistency)
1-3 frozen bananas
1/4 cup pre-soaked flax seed

Process:
Begin by blending your greens with orange juice, then add your bananas and blend to a smooth consistency as rapidly as possible to keep it cold. You might want to start out with fewer greens, because it might take awhile before you begin to crave that slight bitter taste that tons of greens will give to a smoothie.

This recipe is contributed by Nomi Shannon (www.rawgourmet.com)