My First Experiment with Raw Butternut Squash

November 13, 2006

Now that I am on the east coast, I am opening myself up to new winter foods. I have fell in love with radish, Chinese cabbage, and bokchoy. Who would have thought you could get so much bokchoy on the east coast. The good news is that bokchoy has more calcium than Kale, so the more I can eat it the better.

Anyhow, this morning I made raw butternut squash soup. It was a lot different than I expected. When I tasted it, my initial response was "I can't eat this..." In the soup was butternut squash, an avocado, a whole can of coconut milk, 3 carrots, cinnamon, and maple syrup. I blended these ingredients in my blender for a long time. The texture of it is what threw me. I expected it to be a little more creamy, and it wasn't. It wasn't horrible, just weird. So I warmed the soup a little in a clay plot, and the heat definitely helped.

I ate the soup for lunch and I must say that I am looking forward to eating the rest when I get home. I will share more recipes as my butternut squash techniques improve.

-Brandi

After being in Thailand for two months, I'm sick again for the second time.

The first time was exactly one month ago. It was on a Thursday, October 12th to be exact. I had made plans to go out to dinner with the other 9 Americans, but suddenly and awfully I was feeling sick, a lingering irritation that let me know something was in my body and doing things that my system did not like. It went on for days in fact, including an eight-hour Saturday bus ride to Chiang Mai. Yeah, I had motion sickness and nausea, but not enough to throw up. My greatess symptoms which were emphasized by the bug were irritation and a BAD MOOD. It lasted until Tuesday, but by then I had decided I was going to pass this bug on. I said "I'm not leaving the house today. I'm going to go ahead and be sick and get it over with." And that's what happened. I went to the bathroom, didn't stick anything in my mouth, I just started coughing and there it came. For hours, I alternated sleep and vomiting sessions, and when I didn't have anything in my stomack, then came the diarehea. It was not pretty, but I was happy just to get it out. By the night time, I couldn't hold anything down, not even juice, so the doctor gave me some meds for that and to stop the diarrea. I slept the next day and was fine.

So where did it come from? Obviously the food. It's weird, people tell you not to buy food from street vendors because it's unsanitary, but street food is like 65% of the experience here in Thailand. Tourists eat it, Thais eat it, I figure there's no way I'm not going to eat it since I'm here for six months. But somethings like an exposed mound of noodles sitting under a lamp in on a crowded street with everything from bugs, people and unsmoged cars coughing passed it... I will not be eating. And the gorgeous looking papaya and pineapple sliced with knives that you shouldn't expected have even been rinsed in the last hour, and sitting in ice that has traveled on the back of open pick up trucks and swung in who knows how many directions on the way to that glass case which has been sitting in the sun for hours holding those gorgeous papaya and pineapple slices...I've learned to buy only fruit that is sliced before my eyes. But after one month of trying to figure out when to ignore the Center for Disease Control (CDC) warnings to find the best Pad Thai in Bangkok, and when and where to look for signs of healthy rats and daddy roaches, I inevitably got sick. It happened to most of us within that first month.

No, this time, after adjusting to the move up north to Chiang Mai, the locations of food I like and am willing to try, I'm sick again. But this time, I think it's more related to the lack of nutrients I'm getting in my food. My diet here hasn't varied much partly because once I decide I like something, I eat that dish for days at a time. I also haven't been eating much because it's been hard to get used to seeing bugs in my food. Here, people don't mind too much if there's an ant, or gnat, mosquito, or other insect in your food but I'm looking through everything, and at almost every meal, there's a bug. Now, I've given in enough to just take it out, or not eat that part of my plate, but it has defintely limited my intake. I've also been warned against eating fruits that don't have a protective shell which could prevent any bugs or pests from getting inside. And living in a house with no kitchen and no cookware has made it impossible to cook my own food. Which means I haven't been eating much.

The bright side is that I will buy a blender this weekend, I just bought a knife and cutting board last night, my school just hooked me and my roommate up with a sink, and some ladies from my school have given up a hot water machine and a hot plate. I'm all over the web looking for "protein" resources for vegetarians, and I've got my vitamin supplements on hand. It's on. I'll keep you posted.

Surrounded by pizza faces...

Right now, I am sitting in my class surrounded by 16 people consuming 6 boxes of pizza. Talk about feeling awkward and little disturbed.

-Brandi

 

November 5, 2006

It has been 3 whole months since I wrote anything in my journal. Many things have happened. I have moved to State College, PA and started graduate school. I have also been 100% raw since my last post. So, as of today, I have been 3.5 months raw. This is pretty cool because this is the longest that I have been raw. However, the last few months have been difficult. It has actually been more difficult than the first time I was raw.

But during the last 2 months I have come to one main conclusion: I am addicted to cooked foods. Although I haven’t eaten cooked foods in a while, I have eaten a lot of dehydrated foods. Mainly raisins, and I tend to eat them with nuts. The result is that I am not eating foods with high water content. I think that this why my experience being raw this time has been more difficult than the first time. The first time I was raw, I really connected with the life-force in foods and hardly ate anything that was not fresh and juicy. Now I crave texture, taste, and the need to feel full. I also eat a lot less fruit than before. Being in State College has limited my access to winter fruits, so it has been a little difficult. However, as the season progresses, organic fruits are popping up in the grocery store.

Also I think that my high consumption of dried foods has left me feeling stuffed up and blocked inside. I don’t feel like I have detoxed consistently. I also haven’t lost much weight. I am thirsty a lot because I am not getting water from my foods. I am also eating less than I should be. Overall, I feel that dehydrated foods have caused more problems than benefits.

Now that I know what I am missing, I am determined to eliminate my cravings for dried foods by eating more fruits and vegetables. There is nothing more frustrating than looking at a fridge full of foods and not knowing what I want to eat.

I want to love foods the way I used to love foods. I want to see the life-force in foods. I want to experience divine happiness. I want to be happy all the time. I want to fall in love with myself again. This is what motivates me to eat high energy foods. Maybe the energy has been in the water all along.

By the way, here is a picture of me 2.5 months raw.





















This is a picture of me now, 3.5 months raw.

Also, I just came back from my 5 year college reunion, and I was told that I have a glow. Apparently, it looks like I am in love. Pretty cool!

-Brandi

Brandi:

Today is my 27th day being raw. Wow, this is hard. I have been thinking of cooked food like crazy. Today when I was walking down the street, I smelled hamburgers and even though I think hamburgers are disgusting, I was wishing I had one. But I soon proceeded to eat some fantastic grapes and drink some fresh apple juice with ginger (which I juiced this morning), and all was well with the world. Even though I have been craving cooked food, I have been loving the lightness of the meals, and the flavors of fresh food. I made a soup with fennel root in it, and there is no cooked soup that can taste like that.

I wanted to do a 'before' and 'after' picture for my 1 month, 3rd month, 6th month, and so on, anniversary. Here is a picture I took around my 1st day being raw.

Now here is a picture that I took yesterday. Although, this is not my 1-month anniversary (5 more days to go), I thought I would attach a picture just in case I forgot.



Keep in mind that in the old picture I was in tree shade and in the new picture, I am in the bathroom. I don't want it to appear that my skin color has changed that much. Although, I have notice some differences:

1. I have lost some weight. This is nice since I am at an unhealthy body weight that doesn't feel comfortable.

2. My face does have more of a glow to it.

3. I have more energy; yet, I sleep more than I did before. I assume this can be attributed to detox.

4. My body odor is more persistent. I will literally take a shower and I can still smell BO in my armpits.

5. I eat less and have a better eating schedule. I don't eat too much in the morning or at night. I eat heavier in the afternoon, which is great because that is when my body can focus more on digestion.

6. I am peeing like crazy and my bowel movements have increased in amount. (just in case you wanted to know)

So this is all. Take care. And good luck on all your ventures.

If you have questions, just post a comment.

-Brandi

Brandi:

I have been keeping a written journal the last few weeks to document my experience. Here are the entries so far:

July 20, 2006

I ate all raw today. I felt pretty good. Especially since I ate walnuts and raisins and dates. I think I really needed that nutrition. Tonight I talked to a good friend and she told me she had an 8-inch parasite that came out of her yesterday. She showed me a picture and everything. It freaked me out for a while because the parasite was real. It was not this white thing; it looked like an earthworm. But the benefit is that she took responsibility and decided that she “does not want that”! She has been juicing and will be juicing for a while. She wants to get a colonic next month. The doctor said that this type of parasite is usually obtained via non-properly washed fruits and vegetables. Although, a typical person’s response would be to be careful and wash all fruits and vegetables, my question is what type of environment did you create in your body that would allow the parasite to thrive. Parasites are everywhere, and our bodies (if healthy) are made to withstand them.

Anyhow, now I am thinking maybe I have a parasite too (the power of suggestion). My bowels have been irregular and I have been fatigued. Only time will tell. I just hope I won’t get freaked out every time I use the bathroom. Also I have had some of the worst gas tonight. Even I had to leave the room.

I was reading the “Sunfood Success Diet System” (by David Wolfe), and I am trying to go raw again. I want to be able to do all things I WANT TO DO. I want to do well in school, publish papers, research, read fiction, run, garden, crochet, dance (a lot), backpack, walk, hike, sew, and do many other things (as well as be happy). I want to have children that are raw. I want them to fulfill their potential. I want to be pregnant raw. I want to be able to say that for 10 years I have been raw. So, I have concluded that in order to do these things (especially the latter), I must be raw.

(Questions I asked myself)

“What type of person do I have to become to experience radiant health?”

“How do I become that type of person as quickly as possible while still enjoying the process?”

(My answer)

I need to be raw. I need variety. I will take it one day at a time. I am fully responsible for my own great health. My daily habits create my great health.

July 21, 2006

This is my second day being raw. I have been craving eggs, nuts, and raisins all day. I don’t care for too much for meat right now. Today’s meals were pretty good. Maybe my body is getting used to a change in protein source. I should start soaking my nuts.

July 27, 2006

Today is my eighth day being raw. So far the only thing non-raw that I have eaten was a few spoonfuls of white rice. I had fixed a meal for Pedro a few nights ago. But so far, being raw is easier than I thought. I have only had a few dreams about food. I do miss the spices found in sausages. Once in a while I will get a whiff of some ginger and I will think of sausage links. Weird.

I do feel happier and more alive. The vegetables are so yummy. I am crazy about lettuce, cucumbers, and parsley. I made some amazing chocolate sesame seed milk today. I put mint in it and it is divine. I also juiced some plums today. It came out as this amazing nectar. I couldn’t believe it. It was beautiful. I also ate 2/3 of a pound of olives. Today, I was craving them like crazy. Maybe it was the fat or other fabulous nutrients in the olives. They were these raw organic olives from Greece that I bought at Rainbow grocery in San Francisco.

So far I don’t miss cooked food so much. It is still hard, but I have been spending the time to prepare food.

Also I have been having these strange bowel movements. They burn when they come out. I had to stop in the middle today because it hurt so much. I guess it will pass. I am positive it will pass. And a lot of seeds came out. They look like sesame seeds. Interesting. Good night.

July 28, 2006

Today is my 9th day as raw. So far so good. I chopped some peaches and nectarines, and poured some plum nectar on it (I made yesterday). It was amazing. I finished the cocoa mint milkshake this afternoon. I love the food I have been eating so far. It makes me feel really good. I also ate watermelon, and zucchini with sesame seed sauce. It was delicious. Today I did not prepare enough food, so I ate a raw cookie to tie me over (bought at the store). Plus my kitchen was dirty. Tomorrow will be a revival: I will clean the kitchen, take out the trash, and clean my space.

Tonight I ate at Café Gratitude (a raw foods restaurant in Berkeley). I ate the Caesar salad with some added kale. It had Brazil nuts on it as the Parmesan cheese. It was amazing. I also had the chocolate fudge sundae. I am so full. I wonder when I will stop being so full after I eat. I wonder if I am digesting my food all the way. Maybe I should start taking some cayenne pepper before I eat for a while.

August 4, 2006

The last few days have been crazy. My move is finally done (I moved out of my apartment), and now I can start my vacation. I have eaten less in the last 2 days than I usually eat in 1 day. However, I have remained raw. Today was very lovely. I am eating a spinach pie and Italian salad as I write. It is amazing. I bought the “Rainbow Green Live-Food Cuisine” book (by Gabriel Cousens) and I really like it. I also ate at Café Gratitude. I had spaghetti (the noodles were zucchini). It definitely inspired me to get a vegetable spiraler. Although, I am a fan of raw food cuisine, I don’t want to make it a dominant entry in my diet.

I haven’t been able to be active since I have been raw. Tomorrow, I will start to incorporate movements into my daily routine.

Nevertheless, I have started to detox. I can tell by my body order. It is not as stinky as it was last time I was raw, but it is pretty powerful. I feel like I have lost weight. I do feel a little bit tighter…maybe because I am not as bloated as I used to be.

This week I had my cycle. I didn’t have any cramps, just some discomfort. Unfortunately, I had to work on the first day of my cycle (it was my last day at work), so I couldn’t rest as usual. I was pretty tired. I did sleep 9-10 hours that night though. I did bleed more than usual though (same thing happened last time I was raw). I felt like a fountain.

Also some good news: I no longer feel pain when I boo-boo. I have been having lovely regular bowl movements. About 1 bowel movement a day.

August 8, 2006

Today my raw experience was good. I haven’t missed cooked foods today or during the last few days. I have been feeling good, but not full of energy. I have been sleeping a lot, but I have also been depressed because of my current relationship. But I have also been thinking do I want to be in a relationship with someone not raw?

Hello everyone. My name is Brandi. This is my first entry into our journal. I am originally from San Francisco, and have lived in the east bay since I was 14 (except for a 4 year hiatus at college). I am Black female and 26.

Ever since I was a kid, I have been interested in food. I think it stems from my mother’s yo-yo dieting. I can remember sneaking slim-fast to elementary school. So since she was interested in nutrition, so was I. However, as I got older, my idea of “nutrition” changed. Throughout my childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood I have thought that a low-fat diet was the ideal diet. In college, my diet consisted of tons of sugar (bread, cereal, juice, milk-chocolate, and other junk). I did love vegetables; I just didn’t eat very fresh ones. A few months after I graduated from college (in 2001), a good friend gave me a good talkin’-too about my high carbohydrate intake. After that, I started eating a low-carbohydrate diet. I read Dr. Atkin’s Age defying book and I was really impressed with his research. My diet consisted mainly of salads, broccoli, cauliflower, other vegetables, berries, and a few low-carb products. I ate very little meat and dairy at first. Although, I was a big fan of cream. I would buy it by the quart. Later on I started eating more dairy and I discover that it was not for me. I felt groggy and like crap. I never really went through a heavy meat phase. I think the people who eat mostly meat and dairy on a low-carb diet really haven’t read his books. Dr. Atkins advocated more fruits and vegetables than anything.

(2003-2004)

While I was still low-carb, I keep reading books. I changed my eating to incorporate more vegetables after I read “Natural Eating” (by Goeff Bond). This book was what I was looking for. A book that utilizes anthropological research in designing an eating lifestyle. This was the first book that I read that thought of food in-terms of pounds. I would think how much pounds of fruits and vegetables I was eating everyday. The book also advocated walking 3-5 miles a day; which, I did. Every night I went to 24 hour fitness to walk my 5 miles. This diet helped me focus more on fruits and vegetables, and walking.

(Fall 2004)

I think it was at this point that I discovered the raw diet. Keep in mind that I was eating mostly fruits and vegetables (mostly raw) and I cut out dairy and meat. I was pretty much vegan, I just didn’t call myself that. My diet was probably 70-80% produce and more than half of it was raw. My first raw book was “Raw Power” by David Wolfe. I was amazed at how much it made sense. If I cooked food, it became less nutritional. Made sense, so I began eating raw. I ate mostly whole foods (that is, I didn’t blend, dehydrate, or process them). My favorite thing was going for a walk and taking a few Asian pears to eat (I had a great Asian pear guy at the farmer’s market). I ate pears, apples, berries, nuts, salads, cucumbers, peppers, and anything else that was easy to eat. I learned that if it was difficult to eat then it most likely isn’t supposed to be eaten. I didn’t sprout or soak. Keep in mind that I am not preaching, this is just what I learned. Although I had read that it is hard to be raw in the winter, I started being raw in September. Keep in mind that I was in California, so I am assuming that it is more difficult in colder climates (or is it?). I was raw for 3 months. The only times I ate un-raw food was on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I learned many things from being raw:

1. Your stomach actually shrinks. Once I started eating cooked food again, I could only eat so much. While everyone would still be eating I would be done.

2. I learned that I had food allergies. When I was raw I lost 50 pounds. However, it didn’t feel like I had lost weight. It just felt like I had become un-swollen. I later learned that having a sugar/wheat allergy can make you bloated/inflamed.

3. Being raw improved my eyesight. For the first time that I could remember I was seeing the world in 3-D. I can’t really explain it, but trees looked different.

4. I had tons of energy. I would jump out of bed and start my day. There was no lying in bed once I was awake. I would get up, make my bed, and go. This was great, because I was working from 7am until 9pm at 2 jobs.

5. You can be happy 24 hours a day. I could not get mad. I would sing in traffic. When something happened that in the past would have made me mad, I would say damn it and try to stay mad out of spite, but I would be happy 30 seconds later. It was actually hard for me to stay mad.

6. I learned that I didn’t have to have cramps. My menstrual cycled changed. Instead of bleeding heavy for 3 days and 2 days of spotting, I bled for 2 days and barely spotted for 3 days. I would have happy cycles; I couldn’t believe it.

7. My sexual drive was more focused, intense, and controlled. I would have more intense, clear orgasms.

8. You can thrive off of fruits and vegetables. I did so well on this diet.

Why did I stop eating raw? Life and dating caught up with me. I started eating Indian foods, Chinese food, and other stuff. Although I ate mostly fruits and vegetables, I slowly started cooking them. Plus, I burned myself out on salads. My concept of salads always involved lettuce, so once I got tired of lettuce, I stopped eating salads. This continued for 2 years. Now I am 40 pounds heavier, my eyesight and hearing had worsened, and I am fatigued. Keep in mind that I feel this way even though I eat no dairy, red meat, non-organic food, wheat or sugar, little grains, and mostly vegetables, fruits, and seeds.

The good news is that I have been raw for 2 weeks now. It has been hard. I have dreamed of hamburgers (I haven’t eaten a hamburger in 4 years) and chicken sausage (from Berkeley Bowl). I think I got used to the spices and texture of the meat. However, the thought of eating meat doesn’t sit very well right now. It just looks disgusting (all dead and lifeless like). I have had bad body odor, a sign of detox. However, I have been too busy to be active. Now that I am on vacation, I can start to incorporate movement into my life again. I miss Brazilian dance class. I have been sleeping more than usual (another good sign of detox). During the day I have been mostly craving fruits and vegetables and little seeds. The thought of eating seeds right now doesn’t sound too good. However, putting them in salads and drinking nut milks is okay. And I am in love with watermelon. It has been my main water source since I started eating raw. This is very interesting since I don’t really care for watermelon.

My raw experience will be different this time because I have different goals. Before I was just trying to find the ideal diet. Now, I know that there is no ideal diet and that the goal of a diet is to try to promote a person’s ideal lifestyle. In a month, I will be starting a graduate program at Penn State. While I study I want to dance, excel academically, grow my own foods, crochet, database consult, and be raw. I have learned that I cannot do this eating the way I was 2 weeks ago. After watching “Breakthrough” (a movie about a raw family) and observing how active their family was, I am confident that I can I do all the things I want to do if I am raw.

So for me, this journal will document the process of me actualizing the lifestyle I want for myself.