What It Means to Adopt a Raw Vegan Life Style -Part I

I was a vegetarian since 2012, slowly became a vegan and now I’m Raw Vegan Foodist!

Why adopt this type of lifestyle? It’s simple, it works for me. Eating healthy makes me feel good and confortable. Feeling comfortable in my own skin makes me feel confident, and a confident me can achieve so much more.

The first week going Raw Vegan was a challenge. It was also the second week into a new semester, which meant lots of homework and very little sleep. On top of school I hold two part time jobs and play with the schools Frisbee team. During this week I experienced flu like symptoms (sore throat, muscle and body aches, and fatigue). According to Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, a pioneer in the local, organic food co-operative movement ;“ Detox symptoms that can occur range from tiredness, runny nose, digestive challenges and skin conditions to retracing phenomena, weight loss, drops in blood pressure and other signs that the body is making a healthy adjustment”. These symptoms were not something unbearable so I went on with my routine and by the end of the second week I was feeling much better.

During the first ten days on this diet I spent $121.00 on food, which at the time seemed like a lot but later on I found out that a young adult (female -Age 18 to 29) in the U.S. spends on average $173.00 a week. This means that I spent $12.10 a day on food and ~$4.00 per meal. I was able to keep track of the money spent by collecting all of my receipts. I wanted to spend less money the next week and be more careful with my resources, so I established a budget. I bought all the veggies and fruits I could get with only $50.00 dollars hoping that it would last an entire week. This system seemed more sustainable than walking to the store three to four times a day and graving only a few ingredients.

My any ingredient I have in my fridge salad!

This is what $50.00 can buy — 1 Pineapple, 2 Melons, 1 Box of strawberries, 10 Avocados, 4 Mangoes, 1 Large box of mushrooms, 1 Box of organic mixed greens, 1 Bag of red apples, and 1 Bag of oranges. The avocados only lasted three days and I found out that mushrooms with strawberries have a chocolate like flavor. This was a weird but surprisingly good combination!

P.S. Good News!!! — Wine is considered a raw food.

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