I think that I understand what you are eating, but I want to make sure I'm correct.

You eat fresh ripe fruits, avocados, tomatoes, very little nuts/seeds, and nothing that is leafy green or other vegetables. Or do you eat spinach, lettuce, cabbage, etc.?

Love,
Prism

i eat all the above including leafy greens and all vegetables

some herbbs and spices (a little)

some fermented foods (a little)



...Jodi, the banana eating buddhist

No. Just sweet fruit for many years now. It was a very gradual and pleasant change for me....over many years.

-David Z. Mason

WWW.RawFoodFarm.com

So Dave, I guess you don't feel the need to eat chlorophyll-rich foods. Once a body (and mind) has rebalanced, maybe the 'return to the garden of Eden' is a sweet fruit diet. It's so helpful to know about the longtimers' diets and what they went through to get there. (only if they have excellent health on it, though). I feel the need to eat lots of chlorophyll as I'm probably using it to rebuild my ailing body.

Oh and David, do you eat or drink anything you would consider fermented?

It's nice to know that I don't have to eat greens if I don't 'feel' like it, and I don't have to have green juice if I don't feel like it. I do like taking the braggs apple cider vinegar though.

On your websites, do you have a daily list of menus that you've had..maybe for a couple days..that sort of thing?

Love,
Prism

I've been researching the benefits of Wheatgrass juice. It's amazing. It appears like a totally wholesome addition to the raw/living lifestyle with only a shot or two a day or every other. Since transitioning to raw the last couple of months my husband (who has heart disease and HIGH cholesterol) recently had his annual complete physical. His cholesterol was 177, and the breakdown was HDL 50, LDL 111 and Tri. 121. He was poppin' his buttons. He can't wait until his Cardiologist gets the report! The biggest compliment he ever could have given me was that it was because of the new eating lifestyle I introduced. Now I'm poppin' MY buttons. LOL Once a week while transitioning we decided to eat whatever we're craving IF we HAVE to. Usually I'm OK but tonight my husband (who used to drool at the thought of a giant Angus burger or Pepe's Pizza) said he was really having strong cravings. (I knew what that meant! LOL). So he ordered a pizza. I had 1 pc. (I'm not a pizza lover). Just now he came over to me and said, "Did you really like the pizza? I wasn't that crazy about it tonight". I'M SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY. He doesn't even realize that he's starting not to love the things he craved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (he doesn't at this point do any reading or research on raw/living foods. He trusts me on blind faith -- he's a big reader so he'll get there eventually). Sorry to go on and on. I don't even know if I'm saying all this on an appropriate board. I was just so happy I needed to share. Thx for listening.

Joan

I love to hear stories like this Miss Joan. Congrats to you and your hubby!!

I have tried wheatgrass juice as an addition to my raw food diet over a year ago, and felt it wasn't for me. Not yet anyway.

Love,
Prism

So, Dave, you eat only fruits? I ate only sweet fruits for a couple of weeks and I started getting trouble with my teeth - lots of sensitivity. Is it detox, or perharps my body is not yet ready to take it? As aquadecoco says, maybe chlorophyll is needed for a while. I'd like to have your advice about it. I also tried ACV. At first, it was great. Then the teeth sensitivity came in and I had to stop. although maybe it was the conjonction of too many fruits + ACV?
Sorry, maybe I should have started a new thread about ACV ...
Thanks to everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

I've been thinking of starting a thread about acv, but I think it would get moved to 'other health related'. I already have a thread discussing my use of acv.

I drink it in a whole cup of water..so it is very diluted and hasn't bothered my mouth or teeth at all. Do you think Cynthia if you rinsed your mouth out with water after drinking it that would help? And do you have healthy teeth and gums?

Was it all kinds of fruits Cynthia that bothered your sensitive teeth or was it things like pineapple, and citrus?

Love,
Prism

Prism: No...nothing fermented. I don't consider that as vital and sustaining as fresh fruit. If it helps you though, go for it! There are sample menus on the FAQ on my website. A sample would be: Breakfast = 2 large glasses fresh-squeezed OJ. Snack = 1/2 lb grapes. Lunch = 6 small avocados. Snack = 4 apples. Dinner = 1/2 watermelon or a Papaya or Canteloupe. These days I tend to eat in season.

Aquadecoco: No...no greens..although they were very helpful to me for many years. Especially the ones I grew myself! LOL.

Cynthia: My experience is that if you have problems with your teeth....it is due to pre-existing conditions....or current eating habits (bad mixing or foods).....or detox....and stress. NOT the fruit I'm eating! Ha! ha! I have stronger teeth and healthier teeth now...than I ever have. Part of the whole process is being VERY aware of your own internal deposits / detox level.....and eating in a way that's going to promote a gradual and non-acute detox elimination process. It's really not WHAT you eat......but rather what you are NOT eating....that promotes the breakup on the internal clog......and frees you.

Note (my opinion): It's somewhat of an illusion that we CHOOSE our diets. We choose our lifestyle...and will sort of automatically eat a diet that is in alignment with our goals. If our goal (conscious or subconscious) is to remain / be emotionally attached to certain people (in a negative way)....and THAT is our over-riding goal......then we will eat a diet that keeps us in emotional/vibrational alignment with them...which is often a poor diet....regardless of our 'choices'.

-People no more CHOOSE to wake up one morning and start eating all-fruit....having eaten a poor diet traditionally.......then they wake up one morning and CHOOSE to run a marathon!...ha! ha!....having never even walked around the block. It's all about what you are DOING....where you are GOING......what you are BEING.....and what your highest hopes...goals...dreams and passions are. It's about being honest about where you are at.....and setting VERY SMALL GOALS....and putting one foot in front of the other. It's simple...but challenging.... LOL.

-Just some thoughts / opinions...which I hope are helpful and supportive to those pursuing their dreams! For sure!

-David Z. Mason

WWW.RawFoodFarm.com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/23/2007 10:15AM by davidzanemason.

Prism Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I have tried wheatgrass juice as an addition to my
> raw food diet over a year ago, and felt it wasn't
> for me. Not yet anyway.
>

If in the future you decide to try wheatgrass again, you could blend it with the juice of mild tasting greens such as romaine or green leaf lettuce and celery. I've found that it gives it a different flavor and makes it more palatable.

Wishing you vibrant health

I eat mostly juicy fruits. Very rarely any greens or vegetables. Since transition, less and less greens and more leaning towards fruitarian, comfortable, easy and seems natural- ie , buy a case of melons/banana/apple, eat until satisifed..repeat!!

Usually weekdays I mono eat- 1 type of fruit each day or for 2 days. Then weekends I may have 1 avacado or some cucumber. Depending on my mood. At the moment I dont feel I need or want that. Have been happy feasting on oranges today

I dont have any seeds, nuts or fermented products- those can be useful in transition for sure, but I dont see the point in spending on these items when I could put it towards more produce.

Juicy fruit, water, sun

David Mason wrote:

Note (my opinion): It's somewhat of an illusion that we CHOOSE our diets. We choose our lifestyle...and will sort of automatically eat a diet that is in alignment with our goals. If our goal (conscious or subconscious) is to remain / be emotionally attached to certain people (in a negative way)....and THAT is our over-riding goal......then we will eat a diet that keeps us in emotional/vibrational alignment with them...which is often a poor diet....regardless of our 'choices'.


Very interesting David.

khale

David, thank you for your insight. You hit a crucial point when you say :

"Part of the whole process is being VERY aware of your own internal deposits / detox level.....and eating in a way that's going to promote a gradual and non-acute detox elimination process. It's really not WHAT you eat......but rather what you are NOT eating....that promotes the breakup on the internal clog......and frees you."

It is very wise to aim at a gradual and non-acute detox.
Acute detox is very stressful for the body. We should scrutinize our body as a foreign object - analysing any part and feeling so to be able to judge what to eat ou not, depending of various symptoms. (Well, if ever we are able to do so

Teeth : I wish I had strong teeth but, no, I have to be careful. No cavity, though, but a problem of receeding gums, that have been aggravated either by fruits (I ate tons of cherries, grapes, apples...), ACV or both. I have to figure out.

Prism, As for the kind of fruits, I had only 2 grapefruits (very acid, though) and half pineaple. All others were sweet cherries (a lot!!!), grapes, apples, lots of bananas, ... I didn't notice any sensitivity for more than 2 weeks with that diet and felt very very good. Then, few days after starting ACV, my teeth were painful - so I stop eating mostly fruits to add more greens.

ACV : I will put a few words here about ACV, hope it won't bother anyone that it is not a separate thread. I think it's kind of linked to the former discussion.

I started ACV ( 1 T in 8oz water twice a day) on the premise that it is supposed to be good for detox and cleansing the body of deposits. Usually I would not rinse teeth as I would eat one hour, or less, after. With the ACV, I witness a significant and immediate improve of my well-being. I was amazed. Apart from a noticeably improved digestion, all my cravings were gone. Food was satisfying without me having to eat until full, I felt changed emotionnaly, etc, etc. I could go on and on... And most of all, I felt I was a rawfooder for the first time. I mean, not just someone trying to be one, or trying a new diet to feel better. I know it sounds strange... Unfortunately, the teeth problem game in and I had to change something ASAP...
Fruits or ACV? I'd like to know. Besides that, the web is full of testimonies, stories of people having gotten teeth problems with the fruitarian diet. a bit scaring...
Sorry, this was a long post but I just wanted to share.

blessings to you all

Wow, that comment really resonates!

Lauralai

David Zane Mason...Zen Master..or how about Zane Zen Master, or ZZM, or Zane Zen, Zen Zane..

You have now been elevated in status in your fellow raw fooder's eyes.

Love,
Prism

Ha! ha! Thank you Prism.

-David Z. Mason

WWW.RawFoodFarm.com

davey mason totallly rawckss!

>davey mason totallly rawckss!<

Amen to that, LaV!

Dave,
Tell us your secret! (Pretty please.) Did you find you had to cleanse a lot-- do fasts, or whatever-- for a number of months or years before you felt comfortable with the fruit diet?

I always suspect there's a strong spiritual component to being really comfortable and healthy with a fruitarian diet. Was this your experience, or do you feel that it's just our natural state of being?

Enquiring minds want to know! :-)

Sharrhan:


[www.facebook.com]

It's definitely in alignment with my goals.....and my researches.....so that helps. If YOU felt something was an integral tool in an integral goal.......then it would certainly be a no-brainer to use it fully!

-As to the secret? There is definitely a component of the practices you mention: light fasting/juice fasting, lifetime commitments to VERY small goals, joyful living, being in the now, light exercise, breathing and abdominal work, emotional processing, sunbathing/sungazing, mono-eating, etc. These are all very useful tools.

-Diet/foods have to do with some of the deepest held beliefs. One really has to ask one's self what you REALLY believe...and be VERY honest about that....and willing to make lifestyle commitments toward those things. Now you know the secret! LOL.

-David Z. Mason

WWW.RawFoodFarm.com

i like your emphasis on VERY small goals
ha ha

yeah, that's the only way i can tackle things
one VERY small thing at a time

well said David....
as always
very well said.

i'm laughing b/c we went shopping today, and for the first time, my husband had NO desire to buy his 'junk' food
meaning no meat, potato chips, jarred salsa, or peanut butter.

we bought
1 lg watermelon
1 pineapple
12 lbs apples
3 bunches bananas
1 honeydew (which smelled heavenly)
1 bunch kale
1 bunch red swiss chard (both for juicing for me)
4 avocados
3 lbs tomatoes
2 lbs carrots
6 jalepeno peppers
3 pts blueberries
5 lbs cherries
ginger
and sweet potatoes and potatoes

this is the first time in 3 years i haven't purchased something to compromise with him. i'm with the rest of these fruities. i started with more veggies, but found they gave me intestinal discomfort. spinach i would crave, but in early pregnancy it made me quite ill. so now i juice all my greens (quite a few a day) and eat a lot of fresh fruit. my teeth have always been good, so i don't know if they've improved.

i'm just so jazzed that the man is SO on board. i kept asking him if it was enough for him, and he laughed and said it looked like enough since it filled the entire cart.

we both have noticed our tendency to eat a lot of fresh raw fruit in the summer and embrace it whole heartedly. he gets candida when he eats other things, esp corn, so over time he's just noticed his improved health. my other man (the 15 month old one) is hilarious. he eats fruits all day, bananas, apples, cherries, blueberries, he LOVES them. people are always trying to feed him junk food (i don't know why they think kids need that crap) but he prefers his fruits. and he doesn't have gas, nasty stools (things you notice as a mom), or any health problems. very beautiful teeth too, and we don't brush them much yet.

it's taken me 3 1/2 years to get here. but i'm so happy, healthy, and love living this way. it's a spiritual thing too, i have to admit. we've done a lot of spiritual cleanses and retreats, and our home is becoming a place of spiritual rest and restoration, which all adds to the peace and well-being.

peace-

Wow, that's a milestone - I'm happy to hear about another person sucked into the Raw Vortexxxxxxxxx.......

Yay for miss joan's hubby.

Cynthia, Regarding your receding gums, consider how you might be brushing. I know that I have several areas of gum recession due to brushing incorrectly and with the wrong tooth brush over the years. We are supposed to use the softest bristles possible (Oral B or Colgate make brushes that will say "very soft bristles in their description). I used to think the harder the bristles the better to get rid of the plaque etc. Boy was I WRONG!!! The key is to get the softest brush possible (which any good dental office will be giving you if he's worth his salt so-to-speak) and use small circular motions when you brush. I used to brush like I was sawing down a tree! LOL Now I have so many areas that are sensitive from incorrect brushing. Your DDS might also RX a RX toothpaste which really helps any gum problems. The one I use is Prevident 5000. These are just thoughts to think about. I know that until I worked for a very large dental group with several specialists, I never knew these things. I was from a small town of 500 people. The DDS in the neighboring town was ancient and clueless! LOL One more thing. The Periodontist in the group I worked for, also had all patients with any kind of gum challenges rinsing twice a day with Listerine. It doesn't have to be the name brand as long as the ingredients are the same. Listerine isn't as nasty as it used to be. UGH! I like the citrus one. My husband uses the mint one and I noticed my daughter is using one I never knew about -- it's vanilla something. I tried it and it was very vanilla. Not the strong nasty Listerine from years ago (although her husband is a die hard and uses the original! YUK in my opinion) LOL Sorry to go on and on everyone, but some of these "simple" little concerns ARE explainable (or at least give thought to consideration that it might not be the diet). The DDS I worked for (a group of 5 specialists and 4 hygienists) would be THRILLED to hear of a lifestyle of fruits and vegetables. One of the doctors was SO concerned about diet and overall health that he got a Masters degree in Nutrition to be able to help our patients. Heart disease and gum disease have been proven to be linked which prompted him to get the extra education. Before I worked for this group I didn't realize that the main reason for tooth loss was gum disease and not decay!! Again, sorry for the verbosity.

Joan

Mama Cass, I am so happy for you. WOW! what a thrill to have your hubby react that way.

It's happened to me once and I keep praying. I was telling my husband about the benefits of Bragg's ACV and he was really interested and curious. He LOVES the salad dressing I make with balsamic vinegar. Last nite he was willing to give it a try and he liked (not loved!) it. After I finished my speel (sp?) he took his empty salad plate and drank the rest of the ACV dressing!!!!!!!!!! LOL

It was a perfect weather-wise nite and we ate on the deck. He lit the bamboo torches and brought out the Bose and played favorite CD's. We even danced to one of our favorites -- Nat King Cole and his daughter to "Unforgetable." For some reason we have had over a week of PERFECT weather (unheard of here). Not even a mosquito or bug in site! LOL

Joan

Prism, My thoughts and feelings exactly. I love David Mason's thoughts and insight. He's so knowledgable and has it all together! And I love his unconditional and non-judgemental attitude and way of making you feel "it's OK" or sets you on another path of thinking if he feels you need guidance. Is this where we all might be one day? YEH! I have sooooooooooooo much to learn!

Joan

David, Did you ever consider (or do you have?) a blog about yourself and your journey to get you to the "place" you are today? You seem so calm, cool and collected about food, life and living in the right lifestyle for you.

As you can see from various boards, there are so many of us who admire, respect and look to you for guidance that it would be an inspiration to "get into your head" and read your story. Just a thought. -hint hint-

Joan

Oh thank you - that warms my heart. Just about everything you want to know (besides my whole life story!) is on my website. Just check out the FAQ...or the About Us section......or just make a post (or in chat) for whatever you'd like to know! In the next couple of months....I'll go ahead and write a 'point A to point Z' kind of diary! Ha! ha! And we'll see how that goes!

-David Z. Mason

WWW.RawFoodFarm.com