Why vegetarianism is the gateway diet.

Vegetarianism is the new marijuana.

That’s right, you heard me correctly. You know how they say that marijuana is the gateway drug?  That, if you start out with pot, it will eventually lead into the usage of more hardcore drugs? Well, this is what I am beginning to believe about vegetarianism. At least, this is becoming my experience. A year and a half ago when I made the switch over to becoming veggie, I marveled at how easy it was, not to mention how natural it felt for my body. 9 months later, along with a dairy allergy diagnosis, I transitioned in to a gluten-free and vegan diet. Many vegans claim that it was a natural progression from vegetarianism into veganism. And then from veganism, people may eventually begin to dabble in a raw diet. See what I mean? Gateway drug. Maybe this means that the raw diet is like heroine.

Honestly though, it kind of is.

{Now let’s not get crazy and actually believe that what I am saying is that I condone drug use or even believe that heroine is glorious. It is a simple simile. Please do not look much into it!}

One week ago, I watched the documentary “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead” and became immediately inspired. Not that my diet was completely horrible. In fact, if you were to compare it to the average American, I would have been considered reasonably healthy. But I didn’t feel completely healthy internally due to extra sugar, alcohol, coffee, and {gluten-free} flour over-consumption. With the guidance of my nutritionist, I proceeded to project a week-long raw food detox just to rebalance my belly and rid of some of the symptoms that were coming back. I had no clue how deeply in love I would become with a raw diet…

I have fallen in love.

Since I announced to you all that this was something that I was experimenting with, I have received several emails and comments expressing curiosity and desire for more updates. I thought I would share with you what a typical day is looking like for me so maybe it will inspire one of you out there that eating raw is not that daunting and can actually be delicious: 

Breakfast:

Chia seed pudding with a drizzle of raw agave, topped with blueberries, and paired with green tea

Mid-morning Snack:

Fruit and ‘nutter “hot dog” (1 banana, sliced in half, with almond butter inside)

Lunch:

Mini Raw Veggie Burritos

Raw Veggie Burritos Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 Bibb lettuce leaves
• 1/2 avocado, mashed (season with salt if desired)
• 2 Tb raw dill garlic spread by Majestic Garlic (this stuff is crack –more drug references)
• 1/4 c. Kelp noodles (crunchy texture, mild flavor–a great addition)
• julienned carrots
• julienned cucumber
• top with micro greens

DIRECTIONS:

1. Assemble ingredients on top of lettuce. Roll up the lettuce leaves and eat like a burrito. 
2. Serve with a side of Two Moms in the Raw Sea Crackers (which are seriously tasty!) and fresh salsa.

 

Mid-afternoon snack:

• {not pictured} 2 clementines and a handful of cashews and sunflower seeds
• 16 oz. Juice (beet, cucumber, apple, orange, ginger)

Dinner:

• Taco Salad (this pic is what I ate the other night at Planet Raw–it was too dark to take a pic but I tried to recreate it. Recipe to come).
• Paired with 1/2 Synergy Gingerberry Kombucha

As I approach the end of my detox, here is my conclusion of eating raw:

1. I actually sat and watched a bee buzzing around the flower at my table. This is humorous if you know me because I am deathly afraid of bees. But for some reason, my outlook on things is so different. I am calm and I feel enlightened by everything I see around me, from bees at my table, to the color of fresh produce. It is as if I have a new perspective on the world around me.
2. I have more energy than I have had in a long time, if not ever.
3. I tend to eat every 2-3 hours but I have yet to feel starving or unsatisfied.
4. I want to keep going with this. I, however, would like to add sprouted legumes and grains into my diet, but for the most part I wanna keep things the way they are for another few weeks, at least…and then re-evaluate from there.

So, there you have it. I have fully embraced this new way of eating and am anticipating the new adventures of learning how to make raw cuisine. You just might even see some recipes here and there that might add some new raw staples to your kitchen (or maybe by next month I will decide to forego it all?) Regardless…here’s to improved health!

xo,

Cara