I went to a Holistic Health Practitioners luncheon today, and had a great time. I met a gal there that is on a totally raw food, vegan diet. She teaches classes, and even has raw chocolate parties at her house. I eat raw from time to time. It is better for us, instead of processed food. It is just so hard. I feel like I need support and accountability to be consistent. Does anyone else have these struggles?

I really appreciated your post. I am working very hard right now to loose the extra pounds, and I am trying to do it by eating healthy, mostly vegan. Mostly raw fresh diet. Honestly, my main focus is to be healthy. But, I know in the mean time Iwill loose weight as a bonus!!!

Thank you for your post. I have started eating low glycemic, with a majority of raw foods. I am early in my journey, but learning. I feel better already. My main objective is healthy living, but a side effect will be weight loss. I can live with those kinds of side effects! LOL

Yeah, my husband is being supportive. My husband is a minister. We are actually looking at becoming certified lyfestyle coaches through a physician's program and adding this to my health and wellness business. I am just formulating what I am doing. I already do aromatherapy and I am going to get certified in reflexology and healing touch. There are a few other things I do with it, but I have been really excited to find this because it is right in line with what we are looking for. I taught a CEU credit class called "Integrative care and implications for nursing practice". I taught that a few months ago at the North Carolina Nurses Association in Greenville, NC. What has been exciting to me is to finally realize I don't have to be either or (nurse or natural health) I can blend the two and do both. This is a great time for nurses. I also taught an aromatherapy class at East Carolina University recently to the Holistic Nurse and Physician student union.

It definintely helps to have support when doing something like this diet change. I am sorry that your husband isn't going along with you. Kudos to you! Maybe one day soon your spouse will really see how much better you feel, and decide he needs to make a change. Keep plugging along. Keep sharing the message.

(sorry I got carried away in the first paragragh. when I get to talking about this subject I get into my element and just can't quit!!! LOL)

Ditto about being the weird one! Me too!

Eating healthy does make you feel better. It is just amazing.

Joyce asked if anyone else had a struggle staying on a 'raw' diet.  I really haven't been too serious with that, but love salad, veggies and dip, and whole grains.  I have heard using the Jack LaLane juicer more helps with that, but confess i don't do it.  I incorporate dairy, but wonder if I should do that less.  I just want to keep my bones strong. 

My sister-in-law is a Vegan, my husband has a hard time with understanding her choice sometimes.  I guess its because he remembers his little sister (they are 10 yrs apart) wanting steak for dinner.  She also belongs to PETA and other animal rights groups.  I commend her for her choice.  I was researching Vegan food, that way I have a variety of things for her to have when she comes to visit. 

My sister is a Vegetarian.  My sister has never enjoyed red meat.  She eats mainly chicken and vegetables.  I have speical menus for her as well, when she visits. 

I hope that is a shared sentiment by many others.  Often, I don't tell people I'm semi-vegan so they won't worry about what to have while I'm there.  There is always something else to have.  I just don't like to make others uncomfortable because of my choice.

Thanks for sharing. I also make allowances when going somewhere and they don't cook like I eat. I don't want to be rude.

Well I'm not a Vegan but I eat no pork and very little beef. Just the other day I had a hamburger and it was so tasty, but it almost killed me for the reat of the evening. After reading the resent post I think my husband and I might try to go with out beef and eat more salads. We do both love salads. Yes we both could stand to lose a few pounds.

thanks guys

I'm not a vegan either, but haven't eaten pork for more than 35 years. I had actually removed all red meat from my diet by the age of 22, but was suddenly stricken with ulcerative colitis at age 40 which required a total colectomy. To avoid having to take B-12 shots or pills for the rest of my life I reintroduced beef to my diet which helps to keep my Hgb level 12-13. I wish I could eat more raw veggies but because of lack of breakdown I must be careful with them. I have learned, however, that I can puree many of them to avoid the bulk issue and still get the benefits. I welcome any tips anyone may have for a post total colectomy patient living with a J-pouch. I've adjusted pretty well, my last surgery was 2003.