I’ve been juicing for the last couple of days . . . it sure feels amazing. My last attempt at juice feasting was pretty demoralizing – back in mid-february, I decided to do a 92-day juice feast. As I look back, I really was not in the spiritual or emotional condition to do it then, and would juice for 5 days, and then binge on cooked foods, and then juice for 4 days and then binge. This cycle went on for a few weeks until I finally gave up.
This time, I’m limiting it to 3 days, with 2 days of proper feast-breaking afterwards. Why now? I’m coming out a pretty toxic couple of months and am finally willing to part with that negativity / stress / junk food etc. Isn’t it funny, to realize that as bad a something is for me (isolation, relationship, crap food, high stress), I still cling to it and for whatever self-destructive satisfaction I get. This willingness to detox is a real gift – not something that I consciously asked for but I’m sure as anything grateful for it.
Ideally, I’d be somewhere, lounging by a beach with no responsibilities. Even though I’m not working right now, I still am out and about throughout the day and have been having a bit of a time getting in as much juice and I probably should. I’ve been getting about 70 ounces / day, which I know is not calorically what I need. Another reason to keep this short and sweet. While it’s certainly for a physical detox, the spiritual component and the dicipline needed are tremendous – even in this short time.
I did manage to make the pukiest juice possible – kiwi / cucumber. Two of my favorite things that should never share a glass. Also, the juice was thick, kind of syrupy, which leads me to believe that the kiwi’s texture doesn’t allow for the fiber to properly separate. Maybe?
Some of the awesome things about juicing for this short time:
1. Waaaaay more energy – more alert, sleep less
2. Much more time in the day when I’m not figuring out what to eat, when to eat and all that
3. Completely more in touch with my feelings (sometimes not so awesome)
4. Unbelievable sex drive
5. My allergies have calmed down
Also, today I got this really great message from a new friend:
This is real life. It’s all real. Embrace the world. Love and light.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Back on the bus, ya'll
My romance with raw foods has been rocky recently. Intellectually, I know that eating raw foods makes me happy, sane, sexy and full of love. What’s the problem, then? It’s been over a year since I “discovered” raw foods, and part of me thinks that I should be full of radiant heath, eating 100% raw, a size 2, and preaching the raw food gospel around the world.
Yeah.
I wish I knew why I’m having such a hard time fusing my mind with my actions. It’s like I can’t get past the immediate gratification of rich, cooked, greasy foods for a long-term, much more intense gratification. Why can’t I just do it? Why haven’t I had the discipline to shop and prepare and bring my food? Why can’t I muscle through the “fuck-its”? Why why why.
What I have learned in recovery is that it’s not about finding out why. It doesn’t matter. My addictions don’t need to explain themselves. If I keep trying to find out why I’m trying to intellectualize a disease that does not operate in those terms. So I can ask why until I’m blue in the face, but I may never find out the answer and even if I do, it certainly won’t change anything.
So I’m not asking “Why?” today. I’m taking the next right action. I’m doing it one day at a time. I’m asking for and working on the willingness to take care of myself today, eat foods that nourish me and give me health and strength. And to know that there are some foods that I’m not eating today. Maybe one day I will, but for today there are some foods that are just not mine.
There’s a few things that have brought me back to wanting to commit to a more raw lifestyle:
1. The unbelievable support available from other raw people that I’ve met online.
2. That a work-friend is now raw! (the first person in my real life)
3. Warm weather (can’t deny the power of sunshine)
4. Thinking about my ex . . . It’s been about 3 months, and I think I’m finally digesting that relationship – the good and the bad. I’ve been reflecting on the last time we were together: I was on day 4 of a mini-juice feast and I had never felt more sexual, more connected, more at peace. And this at the end of a relatively tumultuous relationship. Instead of playing that game in my head where I think about how we’re going to get back together when we’ve both become the people that we’re meant to be, I’m actually ready to move on, And realizing that all I want is sexy back.
To borrow the phrase – I want sexy back. And I’m soooo going to get it.
Yeah.
I wish I knew why I’m having such a hard time fusing my mind with my actions. It’s like I can’t get past the immediate gratification of rich, cooked, greasy foods for a long-term, much more intense gratification. Why can’t I just do it? Why haven’t I had the discipline to shop and prepare and bring my food? Why can’t I muscle through the “fuck-its”? Why why why.
What I have learned in recovery is that it’s not about finding out why. It doesn’t matter. My addictions don’t need to explain themselves. If I keep trying to find out why I’m trying to intellectualize a disease that does not operate in those terms. So I can ask why until I’m blue in the face, but I may never find out the answer and even if I do, it certainly won’t change anything.
So I’m not asking “Why?” today. I’m taking the next right action. I’m doing it one day at a time. I’m asking for and working on the willingness to take care of myself today, eat foods that nourish me and give me health and strength. And to know that there are some foods that I’m not eating today. Maybe one day I will, but for today there are some foods that are just not mine.
There’s a few things that have brought me back to wanting to commit to a more raw lifestyle:
1. The unbelievable support available from other raw people that I’ve met online.
2. That a work-friend is now raw! (the first person in my real life)
3. Warm weather (can’t deny the power of sunshine)
4. Thinking about my ex . . . It’s been about 3 months, and I think I’m finally digesting that relationship – the good and the bad. I’ve been reflecting on the last time we were together: I was on day 4 of a mini-juice feast and I had never felt more sexual, more connected, more at peace. And this at the end of a relatively tumultuous relationship. Instead of playing that game in my head where I think about how we’re going to get back together when we’ve both become the people that we’re meant to be, I’m actually ready to move on, And realizing that all I want is sexy back.
To borrow the phrase – I want sexy back. And I’m soooo going to get it.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Raw in the Cayman Islands
Oh, the burden of lounging by the beach in bright sun and 85-degree weather. Particularly when it’s 20 degrees in NY. I haven’t traveled much or far since I returned from Europe, and haven’t had to face the raw food challenges of being away from familiarity since then.
When I was first here, about 9 months ago, I assumed that tropical weather = indigenous tropical fruits and vegetables. What I quickly found out was that 90% of the food here is imported, mostly due to lack of available appropriate farming land on the island. The major food crop here is mango, but they’re harvested from June – September, so I’m a bit late.
Prepared with that information, I packed a few things – organic tangelos, apples and lemons, nori, sundried tomatoes, and tea. And a juicer. I haven’t found a health food store here, and the major supermarket, Fosters, doesn’t have much in the way of organic produce. We went grocery shopping the first night we were here, and I got 4 bunches of greens (3 lettuces and 1 watercress – the variety is not outstanding), a couple of bunches of bananas, an avocado, 2 bunches celery, a cucumbers and green peppers. And it’s been working out pretty well. Green smoothies for breakfast, juice and nori wraps for lunch, and salads for dinner (usually out at a restaurant).
As far as restaurants here . . . they’re ok. Probably great for a non-raw or non-veg person. Lots of fresh fish. But I’ve been getting pissed off every time I’m out to eat. We’ve been to The Reef (on Seven Mile Beach), Cimboco’s (next to movie theatre), and Periwinkle (at the Ritz). Of the three, my salad at Cimboco’s has been the best – dark greens, dressing on the side, really fresh tasting. The other 2 were uninspired and filled with really light greens and un-lovely crunchy vegetables. And all 3 nights I’d look at the salads on the menu, get annoyed, and start fantasizing about the non-raw entrees . . . fish, pasta, and all that. And then I would look at the bread basket and get even more annoyed. It took quite a bit of deep breathing and praying to remind myself that eating raw is something that I am choosing, for me, because it makes me feel better. No one is forcing me to do it, so the only person to get annoyed at is myself.
Right now, I usually eat about 4 non-raw meals per week. So, within the boundaries of my raw-ness, I certainly could eat off a cooked menu. But for a few reasons, I’m not. The big one is that I usually feel bloated and gross after eating something cooked, and spending hours per day in a bathing suit is challenging enough without feeling bloated. Also, I don’t want to “waste” my cooked food experiences on something that is likely greasy and not so yummy anyway. I’m really wanting to be 100% raw, but don’t quite have the willingness yet. So I’m trying to look at this as a positive opportunity.
The other challenge that I’m facing is sharing a kitchen with other people. There are things in the cupboards that I don’t have around anymore, things that I used to binge on. Chips, cookies, bread, cheese, all that. It was a bit of a shock, actually, and while I should have emotionally prepared myself for it, I hadn’t. And it’s actually made me pretty resentful.
Just writing this, I’m realizing that I’m pretty pissed off for someone on a tropical vacation. What a waste of time. So I’m committing to noting these angry feelings, and then making a mental list of things that I’m grateful for this very moment. Right now, they are:
1. Free wireless internet on the balcony
2. The blender that came in this condo
3. I’m reading Victoria Boutenko’s “12 Steps to Overcoming Your Addiction to Cooked Foods”
4. I’m outside and not wearing shoes
5. When I look up from my computer screen I see the pacific ocean
6. I have an awesome family
One love,
Marissa
When I was first here, about 9 months ago, I assumed that tropical weather = indigenous tropical fruits and vegetables. What I quickly found out was that 90% of the food here is imported, mostly due to lack of available appropriate farming land on the island. The major food crop here is mango, but they’re harvested from June – September, so I’m a bit late.
Prepared with that information, I packed a few things – organic tangelos, apples and lemons, nori, sundried tomatoes, and tea. And a juicer. I haven’t found a health food store here, and the major supermarket, Fosters, doesn’t have much in the way of organic produce. We went grocery shopping the first night we were here, and I got 4 bunches of greens (3 lettuces and 1 watercress – the variety is not outstanding), a couple of bunches of bananas, an avocado, 2 bunches celery, a cucumbers and green peppers. And it’s been working out pretty well. Green smoothies for breakfast, juice and nori wraps for lunch, and salads for dinner (usually out at a restaurant).
As far as restaurants here . . . they’re ok. Probably great for a non-raw or non-veg person. Lots of fresh fish. But I’ve been getting pissed off every time I’m out to eat. We’ve been to The Reef (on Seven Mile Beach), Cimboco’s (next to movie theatre), and Periwinkle (at the Ritz). Of the three, my salad at Cimboco’s has been the best – dark greens, dressing on the side, really fresh tasting. The other 2 were uninspired and filled with really light greens and un-lovely crunchy vegetables. And all 3 nights I’d look at the salads on the menu, get annoyed, and start fantasizing about the non-raw entrees . . . fish, pasta, and all that. And then I would look at the bread basket and get even more annoyed. It took quite a bit of deep breathing and praying to remind myself that eating raw is something that I am choosing, for me, because it makes me feel better. No one is forcing me to do it, so the only person to get annoyed at is myself.
Right now, I usually eat about 4 non-raw meals per week. So, within the boundaries of my raw-ness, I certainly could eat off a cooked menu. But for a few reasons, I’m not. The big one is that I usually feel bloated and gross after eating something cooked, and spending hours per day in a bathing suit is challenging enough without feeling bloated. Also, I don’t want to “waste” my cooked food experiences on something that is likely greasy and not so yummy anyway. I’m really wanting to be 100% raw, but don’t quite have the willingness yet. So I’m trying to look at this as a positive opportunity.
The other challenge that I’m facing is sharing a kitchen with other people. There are things in the cupboards that I don’t have around anymore, things that I used to binge on. Chips, cookies, bread, cheese, all that. It was a bit of a shock, actually, and while I should have emotionally prepared myself for it, I hadn’t. And it’s actually made me pretty resentful.
Just writing this, I’m realizing that I’m pretty pissed off for someone on a tropical vacation. What a waste of time. So I’m committing to noting these angry feelings, and then making a mental list of things that I’m grateful for this very moment. Right now, they are:
1. Free wireless internet on the balcony
2. The blender that came in this condo
3. I’m reading Victoria Boutenko’s “12 Steps to Overcoming Your Addiction to Cooked Foods”
4. I’m outside and not wearing shoes
5. When I look up from my computer screen I see the pacific ocean
6. I have an awesome family
One love,
Marissa
Friday, January 4, 2008
Raw in Ft Greene
Haven’t been writing much recently . . . some of it’s not wanting to confront my feelings. Some of it is getting distracted with other things. But I miss it! I miss blogging, of addressing my raw-ness on paper (or screen).
I’m loving loving loving my new apartment. It was truly a gift from the universe, to find a rent-stabilized one bedroom on a beautiful block in Ft. Greene. I have to say, I was manifesting quite a bit about it. I would tell anyone who would listen where I wanted to live, how much I wanted to pay, and how big the place would be. And lo and behold, exactly 32 days after I returned to NY, I moved into my new place.
I had no idea how green this neighborhood is! I liked it because of the gorgeous architecture, the million of subway lines nearby, the cute restaurants, BAM, proximity to Manhattan. And yet I’m finding more and more reasons!
1. Compost! There’s a community compost project at the Farmer’s Market in Ft Greene park every Saturday. I drop off my compost in one of the bins by the entrance to the park, and volunteers send the compost up to a local farm. So awesome. The last time I had the opportunity to compost was in college, and it was about the last thing on my list of things to do. I am grateful to be able to do it again.
2. Urban Spring! A café on the corner of Dekalb and Clermont that serves local, sustainable, organic food. Some raw stuff, and delicious juices and smoothies – I had the best best arugula/pear juice.
3. The Hill! A four-times-year newspaper about green Ft Greene / Clinton Hill. That’s where I learned about the compost project, and have found so many other things in there that make me love this neighborhood more and more every day. Like composting public toilets! And the person-powered smoothie machine at Habana Outpost!
One love,
Marissa
I’m loving loving loving my new apartment. It was truly a gift from the universe, to find a rent-stabilized one bedroom on a beautiful block in Ft. Greene. I have to say, I was manifesting quite a bit about it. I would tell anyone who would listen where I wanted to live, how much I wanted to pay, and how big the place would be. And lo and behold, exactly 32 days after I returned to NY, I moved into my new place.
I had no idea how green this neighborhood is! I liked it because of the gorgeous architecture, the million of subway lines nearby, the cute restaurants, BAM, proximity to Manhattan. And yet I’m finding more and more reasons!
1. Compost! There’s a community compost project at the Farmer’s Market in Ft Greene park every Saturday. I drop off my compost in one of the bins by the entrance to the park, and volunteers send the compost up to a local farm. So awesome. The last time I had the opportunity to compost was in college, and it was about the last thing on my list of things to do. I am grateful to be able to do it again.
2. Urban Spring! A café on the corner of Dekalb and Clermont that serves local, sustainable, organic food. Some raw stuff, and delicious juices and smoothies – I had the best best arugula/pear juice.
3. The Hill! A four-times-year newspaper about green Ft Greene / Clinton Hill. That’s where I learned about the compost project, and have found so many other things in there that make me love this neighborhood more and more every day. Like composting public toilets! And the person-powered smoothie machine at Habana Outpost!
One love,
Marissa
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Raw Dinner Party
Can it be a party with just 2 people? I invited a friend over for dinner, cause I’m so excited about the giant eat-in kitchen in the apartment that I’m staying in (belonging to my amazing friend Josh who is out of town on business for a couple of weeks). I used to love love love throwing dinner parties: the candles, the wine, the company, the tasty food. It’s been a while, though, and am a little unsure about how to integrate raw foods into the mix, particularly with non-raw friends. And beyond what my guests’ usual diet is, I’m also trying to get past the fundamental / my learned oddness in inviting someone for dinner and not cooking for them. My mom’s comment on me having someone over for dinner was, “What are you going to make for him, a smoothie?”
Behold, an ideal candidate for my foray into raw entertaining: my friend Andrew. He’s not a vegan or vegetarian, but is consistently eager for new foods and taste experiences. For instance, we were once in a chain restaurant in Orlando (Applebee’s? Bennigan’s?) and he ordered a hickory smoked veggie burger with bacon and cheese. Not because he didn’t want the meat-hamburger, but because he wanted to see how a veggie burger mixed with the rest of that stuff. Beyond his eclectic palate, I knew he’d offer constructive criticism in a gentle way.
We started with kale, apple, celery juice (my current favorite). I loved it; he was a little overwhelmed by the amount of greens in it – the flavor, not the color. We then had the Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup with Lime (from the Raw Food, Real World cookbook). I had mine chilled, and his was heated up a little. His comment was that he really enjoyed how he could really taste each individual ingredient. He wished that he could taste the avocado a little bit more, though. Personally, I really like that I can barely taste the avocado, I think that it lets the other flavors shine. Then we had broiled swordfish (old habits die hard) covered with a (raw) salsa of mango, cucumber, jalapeño, lime, ginger and scallion. And an arugula and pistachio salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing (also from Raw Food, Real World cookbook). He loved the salad and fish, enough to convince me to let him take the leftovers to work the next day for lunch. For desert we had a persimmon, so ripe that the flesh was just about falling apart. The wine was Les Champs Clos Sancerre, and happy-surprisingly fit with everything really well (surprisingly because I usually choose wine by the font on the label).
Sated, we lingered over the table. I asked, “So, do you like my cooking?” And he said, “No, I love your cooking.” Three cheers for Andrew, for being open to new food, and four cheers for me for giving someone a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to raw food.
One love,
Marissa
Behold, an ideal candidate for my foray into raw entertaining: my friend Andrew. He’s not a vegan or vegetarian, but is consistently eager for new foods and taste experiences. For instance, we were once in a chain restaurant in Orlando (Applebee’s? Bennigan’s?) and he ordered a hickory smoked veggie burger with bacon and cheese. Not because he didn’t want the meat-hamburger, but because he wanted to see how a veggie burger mixed with the rest of that stuff. Beyond his eclectic palate, I knew he’d offer constructive criticism in a gentle way.
We started with kale, apple, celery juice (my current favorite). I loved it; he was a little overwhelmed by the amount of greens in it – the flavor, not the color. We then had the Creamy Carrot Ginger Soup with Lime (from the Raw Food, Real World cookbook). I had mine chilled, and his was heated up a little. His comment was that he really enjoyed how he could really taste each individual ingredient. He wished that he could taste the avocado a little bit more, though. Personally, I really like that I can barely taste the avocado, I think that it lets the other flavors shine. Then we had broiled swordfish (old habits die hard) covered with a (raw) salsa of mango, cucumber, jalapeño, lime, ginger and scallion. And an arugula and pistachio salad with Creamy Citrus Dressing (also from Raw Food, Real World cookbook). He loved the salad and fish, enough to convince me to let him take the leftovers to work the next day for lunch. For desert we had a persimmon, so ripe that the flesh was just about falling apart. The wine was Les Champs Clos Sancerre, and happy-surprisingly fit with everything really well (surprisingly because I usually choose wine by the font on the label).
Sated, we lingered over the table. I asked, “So, do you like my cooking?” And he said, “No, I love your cooking.” Three cheers for Andrew, for being open to new food, and four cheers for me for giving someone a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to raw food.
One love,
Marissa
Saturday, December 1, 2007
On the go
As much as I may want to, it’s just not possible to eat at home every meal of the day. Behold, an incomplete list of the places that keep me raw throughout the day:
Healthy Nibbles Organic Lounge and Juice Bar – 305 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn (Park Slope)
Inexpensive, charming café with amazing juices and yummy salads
Second Helpings – 9th Street between 7th and 8th Ave, Brooklyn (Park Slope)
My go-to place for delicious food and juice, not all raw but a great compromise when dining with enlightened, non-raw companions
Lodge Outpost – Havemeyer at Grand Street, Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
Next to the cozy bar/restaurant Lodge, they have raw smoothies (Freckle Juice is my favorite) and organic tea. Plus, my brother is a bartender next door.
Siggy’s – Henry Street between Orange and Pineapple, Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights)
Organic, with lots of live food (they even note on the menu exactly what is live), and they make my favorite smoothie right now, with Goji berries, pomegranate juice, raspberries, blueberries and banana
Pure Food and Takeaway – 17th Street at Irving, Manhattan
Can’t beat them. The S&M salad is my favorite dinner these days, and their juices are uniformly amazing. On the expensive side, but perfect for a treat
Juicy Lucy’s Fresh Mixed Juice Outpost – Northeast corner of 1st Street and 1st Ave
Little kiosk that would typically sell coffee and pastries, but no! They sell fresh juice! Reasonably priced ($3.50 for 12oz), and right by the subway. There’s a proper store front at 85 Avenue A between 5th and 6th
Liquiteria – 2nd Avenue at 10th Street
I put this on because it’s so well known, and good in a pinch. But personally, I don’t love it there. I think that it’s on the gimmicky side, and that the menu isn’t inspired. An exception, though, was an apple/pineapple/mint/wheatgrass juice that I had a few weeks ago that was pretty exciting.
Bonobo’s – 18 E 23rd, between Broadway and Park
Not a lot of ambiance, but all raw food and the only place that I know of that has durian on the menu.
Integral Natural Foods – 13th Street betw Greenwich and 7th Ave
Has a juice bar, a good selection of prepared raw foods, and is next to Integral Yoga.
One love,
Marissa
Healthy Nibbles Organic Lounge and Juice Bar – 305 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn (Park Slope)
Inexpensive, charming café with amazing juices and yummy salads
Second Helpings – 9th Street between 7th and 8th Ave, Brooklyn (Park Slope)
My go-to place for delicious food and juice, not all raw but a great compromise when dining with enlightened, non-raw companions
Lodge Outpost – Havemeyer at Grand Street, Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
Next to the cozy bar/restaurant Lodge, they have raw smoothies (Freckle Juice is my favorite) and organic tea. Plus, my brother is a bartender next door.
Siggy’s – Henry Street between Orange and Pineapple, Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights)
Organic, with lots of live food (they even note on the menu exactly what is live), and they make my favorite smoothie right now, with Goji berries, pomegranate juice, raspberries, blueberries and banana
Pure Food and Takeaway – 17th Street at Irving, Manhattan
Can’t beat them. The S&M salad is my favorite dinner these days, and their juices are uniformly amazing. On the expensive side, but perfect for a treat
Juicy Lucy’s Fresh Mixed Juice Outpost – Northeast corner of 1st Street and 1st Ave
Little kiosk that would typically sell coffee and pastries, but no! They sell fresh juice! Reasonably priced ($3.50 for 12oz), and right by the subway. There’s a proper store front at 85 Avenue A between 5th and 6th
Liquiteria – 2nd Avenue at 10th Street
I put this on because it’s so well known, and good in a pinch. But personally, I don’t love it there. I think that it’s on the gimmicky side, and that the menu isn’t inspired. An exception, though, was an apple/pineapple/mint/wheatgrass juice that I had a few weeks ago that was pretty exciting.
Bonobo’s – 18 E 23rd, between Broadway and Park
Not a lot of ambiance, but all raw food and the only place that I know of that has durian on the menu.
Integral Natural Foods – 13th Street betw Greenwich and 7th Ave
Has a juice bar, a good selection of prepared raw foods, and is next to Integral Yoga.
One love,
Marissa
Monday, November 26, 2007
Raw in New Jersey
Very exotic locale, may I say. We went to my Aunt’s house near Asbury Park for Thanksgiving, and really had such a lovely time. My family is amazing, so many generations and stories and love and comfort.
I offered to bring a salad, but that was already on the docket. And while I had a vague plan to go all out and bring raw stuffing and raw blah blah blah, I didn’t quite get around to it. Also, honestly, as a compulsive overeater, the holidays are big potential excuses for a binge, raw or not. So it’s important to me to remember that it’s just a day like any other – I love that joke, “What does a recovering compulsive eater call Thanksgiving? Thursday.”
Part of the amazingness of my family is that they are, by and large, very willing to accommodate my food lifestyle. When I was a vegetarian, vegan, and now raw, at big holiday meals my aunt would make sure that she had something that I could eat. There were plenty of cut up vegetables with (non-raw) hummus during appetizers, and aforementioned big, raw salad. I volunteered to help, and was put in charge of the salad, so I made it exactly as I wanted – different sized cuts of crunchy vegetables, a few different types of greens.
In tribute to “What We Ate Wednesdays”, I give you What I Ate Thursday, ‘cause it was just Thursday, a Thursday that I spent with family, and a Thursday that I continued to be grateful for all of the gifts in my life:
* 2 apples with cashew butter, some flax crackers
* mixed salad with greens, yellow pepper, cucumber, grated carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes / oil and vinegar
* handful of raisin and nut mix
* nori rolls with cucumber, tomato, kohlrabi, daikon
* raw blondie macaroons from Pure Food and Wine takeout
This isn’t a typical day for me, I usually have at least one green juice and green smoothie, but it got me through.
One Love,
Marissa
I offered to bring a salad, but that was already on the docket. And while I had a vague plan to go all out and bring raw stuffing and raw blah blah blah, I didn’t quite get around to it. Also, honestly, as a compulsive overeater, the holidays are big potential excuses for a binge, raw or not. So it’s important to me to remember that it’s just a day like any other – I love that joke, “What does a recovering compulsive eater call Thanksgiving? Thursday.”
Part of the amazingness of my family is that they are, by and large, very willing to accommodate my food lifestyle. When I was a vegetarian, vegan, and now raw, at big holiday meals my aunt would make sure that she had something that I could eat. There were plenty of cut up vegetables with (non-raw) hummus during appetizers, and aforementioned big, raw salad. I volunteered to help, and was put in charge of the salad, so I made it exactly as I wanted – different sized cuts of crunchy vegetables, a few different types of greens.
In tribute to “What We Ate Wednesdays”, I give you What I Ate Thursday, ‘cause it was just Thursday, a Thursday that I spent with family, and a Thursday that I continued to be grateful for all of the gifts in my life:
* 2 apples with cashew butter, some flax crackers
* mixed salad with greens, yellow pepper, cucumber, grated carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes / oil and vinegar
* handful of raisin and nut mix
* nori rolls with cucumber, tomato, kohlrabi, daikon
* raw blondie macaroons from Pure Food and Wine takeout
This isn’t a typical day for me, I usually have at least one green juice and green smoothie, but it got me through.
One Love,
Marissa
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