An Adventure in Raw Foods

As I helped to pack my husband's lunch today, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I am so proud of my husband for his efforts in eating healthy and for his willingness to change his eating habits. For those of you who know Steve, you may be slightly astounded by what makes up his diet of late. For breakfast, I make us eggs with spinach, zucchini, tomatoes and bell pepper, using rice milk instead of regular. We split a piece of Ezikiel toast between the two of us and share a couple of  early morning moments together (usually) before he races off to work.

As a teacher with little time to eat during the day, he brings dry, plain oatmeal with a handful of blueberries and a touch of brown sugar to eat at his school's "Nutrition Break". Not originally a fan of blueberries, he now enjoys the flavor that the bursting blueberries add to his oatmeal, after it is cooked in his classroom microwave. At his request, for his lunch, I packed him two small oranges, an apple, an organic yogurt and a Trader Joe's frozen entree. My "meat and potatoes" man is experimenting with healthier foods and vegetables now on a regular basis. And for him, this is a big deal. And I am extremely proud of him.

But now comes our biggest adventure. Raw foods. Yesterday, I met with my absolutely fabulous health coach, Tammy Moretti. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!) I told her that I felt that it was up to me to cure my cancer. As much as I trust and love my oncologist, Dr. Sweet, I do not believe that Kaiser is equipped to cure my cancer. I am exploring other medical options, of course and I will take Dr. Sweet's tremendous knowledge into consideration. However, I believe it is up to me to cure my cancer, through a combination of therapies designed for my mind, body and spirit.

That being said, Tammy recommended a "raw" foods diet for me. We talked about how raw foods could help to aid my body in healing, helping it to function on the highest level possible. Before Tammy made this recommendation, I had researched this possibility and my gut instinct told me that this was my best bet. Truth be told, I am not eating a lot of meat right now. Drawing protein from raw almonds and eggs, I feel good and do not really miss it. While the thought of eating mostly raw foods scares me a bit, I think I can do this.

Tammy challenged me to find a new recipe a week for our Vitamix. She said that my Vitamix and I are going to be best friends. She also reminded me that I should not try to go raw over night but that I should start replacing out meals little by little. Finally, and most importantly, she warned me that my diet was going to be about 90% different than that of the kids. Becoming more of a "short-order" cook in having to prepare two different meals will be hard. However, we talked about how my diet would have a positive influence over theirs over time, which makes me very happy.

And then there is Steve. When I discussed it with him, he lovingly asked, "What do you need from me?" I think he might be trying some of what I eat, but I expect it will be a slower and less complete progression for him. That is more than OK.

So last night, needing eggs and milk, I dragged my incredibly tired self to the Trader Joe's. As I wandered around, I picked out a couple of things that I needed to make raw Hummus. My first raw and Vitamix recipe. They did not have everything I needed...but then again, I have a birthday coming up. I think I can wait until after then to venture out into the raw foods way of life. In the interim, I am going to enjoy cooking eggs for me and Steve in the morning...and have birthday cake on Saturday night and celebrate a new decade with my friends and family.

And if you come to visit me next week...I might just offer you some raw hummus and crackers.