Day 84: THE Reason for ALL of this!

I feel like I need to do a big drum roll or something exceptionally cool to share with you and introduce you to the REASON behind ALL of this!!!!!  

Let me introduce to you Lindsey - ahhhh Lindsey!  I will keep this short because you'll want to read her answers below ... BUT first I have to tell you that this girl is amazing.  I met her not long ago (seven months??) and she changed my life, obviously!  We met in a Life Group through our church and we will be life long friends (along with the other girls!!!) ... she was telling the group one night the story of her lupus and struggle with starting a family - I knew right then that we would do something together to get her through this (yes, I emailed her the second I got home ... we laugh about that now!) and months later after prayer and research we sat over dinner and made the commitment to ourselves and each other that we were going to do this.  

I hope her story inspires you and gives you a reason to feel better, have more energy and live each day to the healthiest.

So ... here are some q's that I asked her for all of you to hear about HER journey to encourage you and smile along the way!

Lindsey and FAMILY!

Tell us how and why you got to the point of going raw? I have been sick with lupus for over 12 years.  The symptoms have included: arthritis, skin rash, hair loss, fever, anemia, and fatigue.  Over the years I have learned to adapt or deal with these symptoms.  Some days are hard.  I got to my breaking point when my husband and I started thinking about having children.  I was told I couldn’t have children right now because of how sick I was and all of the harmful medications that I have to take.  I am on one medication that can actually cause birth defects.  I truly believe that God designed our bodies to heal themselves.  In order to do this we must give our bodies the proper nutrition that it needs to function the way God intended.  Going raw was the way for me, because it provided my body with the most nutrient, healing foods out there. 


Can you describe to me and explain lupus? Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissue. This results in symptoms such as inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, skin, kidneys, blood, the heart, and lungs. Under normal function, the immune system makes proteins called antibodies in order to protect and fight against antigens such as viruses and bacteria. Lupus makes the immune system unable to differentiate between antigens and healthy tissue. This leads the immune system to direct antibodies against the healthy tissue causing swelling, pain, and tissue damage.  Lupus affects 1.5 to 2 million Americans. The cause of lupus is not known. Research suggests that genes play an important role, but genes alone do not determine who gets lupus. It is likely that many factors trigger the disease.

How are you feeling now that you are raw? Amazing!  I don’t have any more swelling in my legs and ankles.  My arthritis symptoms are gone.  I have more energy than ever.  My clothes aren’t as snug either!  For some reason, I can’t quit talking about how awesome my poops are!  My entire life has been changed.  I have hope for the future, and I can’t help but be excited about feeling so great!



What has been your favorite part of going raw?  The way I feel.  I can’t deny the remarkable change in my everyday life.  No fatigue after lunch and not waking up to heartburn in the middle of the night have been huge improvements in my daily life.  Plus, the food is really good.  I crave healthy nutritious food.  These foods are foods that I can trust.  I don’t have to worry about them harming my body.  



What has been your least favorite part of going raw? It can be a little overwhelming making so many changes to your lifestyle at once.  I suggest starting small.  Make a few healthy choices here and there.  For instance, start having a meatless Monday at your house.  You could also switch to whole grain bread, brown rice and whole wheat pasta.  Try and buy organic fruits and veggies whenever you can.  Little changes really add up.  One of my favorite products is Earth Balance Organic Buttery Spread.  It is organic, non-dairy, no trans fat and taste just like butter. 

Do you have a favorite recipe?  Like I could choose just one!

Peach and Blueberry Cobbler

Ingredients
8 fresh or frozen peaches, peeled and seeds removed (or mango or nectarine)
6-8 dates or more to taste (pre-soaking softens)
1/2 tsp unrefined sea salt
1 Tbsp ground psyllium (Psyllium makes a suitable replacement for an egg when mixed with water. This egg replacer would be used in baked goods or as a binding ingredient.  Also a great source of fiber!)
1-2 cups blueberries, fresh if possible (or any berry)
Topping
1/2 cup pecan pieces
1/2 cup walnut pieces
3/4 cup dates
1/4 tsp unrefined sea salt
1 tsp vanilla powder (use vanilla flavoring if you do not have a vanilla bean)

Directions
1. Place 1/2 of the peaches in a blender with the dates and sea salt. Blend well.
2. More dates may be added if a sweeter taste is desired.
3. Add psyllium and blend well.
4. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.
5. Chop the remaining peaches, placing them in a bowl.
6. Blend the blended peaches again and add to the chopped peaches.
7. Place in glass cobbler dish and stir in blueberries.
8. Sprinkle on topping.

Chunky Raw Marinara Sauce

Ingredients
4 medium vine ripened tomatoes, cut in fine dice
1/2 red onion, minced
1 Tbsp roasted garlic, minced (can be store-bought in a jar, pre-roasted)
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 Tbsp unrefined sea salt
1/4 Tbsp coarse grind black pepper
Fresh Oregano leaves, torn or cut in rough chop, to taste
Fresh Basil, cut in chiffonaden (a cooking technique in which herbs or leafy green vegetables are cut into long, thin strips.), to taste

Directions
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the onions and tomatoes with the salt and pepper and mix well.
2. Add the roasted garlic and the olive oil.
3. Tear the leaves of oregano or chop them and add them to the bowl.
4. Roll up the leaves of basil and thinly slice them in chiffonade.
5. Add the basil and combine all of the ingredients well.
6. Taste and adjust for seasoning.
Just add some of your favorite whole wheat pasta and you have a delicious meal!



You have an amazing hubby, does he eat raw now?? Luckily, Brian is not a picky eater.  He eats whatever I am having but may add some chicken or fish.  He has taken on this lifestyle with me.  I could not do this without his support, and he has helped me stay on track.   I appreciate his encouragement so much.

Any funny stories to share over the past 3 + months? The first week after Brian and I went raw, we thought we deserved a little treat.  So we went to the store and got a sugary pastry.  Before we could even  get out of the store Brian ripped it out of the package and practically swallowed it whole!   I about died laughing because I don’t think he even got to taste his reward!  That night after devouring our treat we both felt sick to our stomachs (Brian more so probably because he ate it so fast). It was a good reminder to why we are doing what we are doing because we feel so much better when we eat healthy.  



I know your addicted to carrot juicing, ha! Any other new found addictions?? I also love almond butter with celery, carrots, apples, and on toast.  Juicing and green smoothies are a big part of my life now.  They are a great way to get lots of nutrients.  They taste so wonderful too.  



How do you do raw eating while having a full time job? Plan! Plan! Plan! I try and plan ahead.  On the weekend, I  make a big meal, like vegetable soup, that we can eat on all week.  I also buy a bunch of veggies and lettuce and get it all washed and ready to snack on all week.  I have made my diet a priority in my life.  Keeping up with this lifestyle does require quite the routine and dedication.  It was a hard commitment at first because I was so addicted to sugar.  I definitely went through some withdrawal symptoms (headache, achy body, fatigue).  But now my body feels better than ever.  



Will you continue to eat raw after your 1 year commitment? Yes!  It has really changed the way I look at food.  Food’s main purpose is to give our bodies energy so we need to steer clear of empty calories and eat foods rich in nutrition.  By eating healthy, I don’t feel like I am missing out on anything.  What I have gained is a healthy happy life style with thought and concern for my future.  



Any inspiring words for anyone thinking of going raw?? You can do it!  Eating raw is GREAT!  It is a gift you can give yourself and family that is worth more than anything that money could buy.  Focus on all the wonderful fruits and veggies that you can indulge in everyday.  You are not alone.  Tell your commitment to others.  I have been blessed with a great support system that encourages me, send me letters, and holds me accountable.  Also, I have wonderful friends and family who adds a baked sweet potato or yummy salad to meals when they invite me over.  Everyone has been so thoughtful. 

There you go ... hope you enjoyed her answers and have encouragement to try going GREEN!  Please pray for her and her continued journey ...   Love you Lindsey and thank God you are in my life and the REASON for going RAW! xoxoxoxo

HAPPY GREEN!!!