POSTS TAGGED : Raw veganism

Your Diet Is A Personal Choice

Your Diet Is A Personal Choice

 

woman-eating-appleI received a comment on a video from someone asking me a question about being vegan. The person said, “Why are some people vegan, I can understand someone being a vegetarian, but why vegan?”

I cannot begin to tell anyone why some people are vegan. Everyone is different and they have their reasons for choosing  vegan. Just because a person eats a plant-based diet doesn’t mean they are a vegan.

I am not 100% vegan, which means that in some areas of my life I do use products that contain animal-based ingredients, so technically I would not be considered a vegan. I consider myself a person who eats a plant-based diet.

 Diet is a Choice

I do not ask people why they eat meat or drink cow’s milk, because I know that the kinds of food people eat is a personal choice. I just present the information on my blog and if someone is trying to change their diet, they have a resource that can help them make changes.

The way you eat is your choice and I have nothing to do with your food choices. One thing everyone has in common is that our bodies need nourishment. How you choose to nourish your body is up to you and only you.

Here is a testimony someone shared with me while I was shopping:

A woman in the beauty supply store told me that her husband had very high cholesterol and the doctor told them what they needed to do to get the cholesterol down. This young man was on the verge of having a stroke or some other issue related to high cholesterol that would have resulted in serious consequences with his health. The couple cleaned out their cabinets and changed their eating habits. The husband is doing better and has lost weight. He had to make a change in his diet and life style. No, his diet is not vegetarian, but from what the woman shared with me, he stopped eating processed and fast foods. I’m sure there were other changes, but the main change was in his diet.

 Do Not Let Others Make You Feel Bad

There are some people out here whose job it seems is to make you feel bad for the way you choose to eat. Do not let anyone dictate to you the type of diet you should and should not eat.

If you want to eat vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan or any of the combinations, then it is your choice to do so. No one has the right to make you feel bad for doing what you know is best for you.

People who do not understand why you eat the way you do will make remarks that will sometimes make you feel bad. Those remarks will sometimes make you question if you are doing the right thing.

Never let another person interfere with the way you like eating. It is always best to stay true to yourself and do what makes you feel good. Just because everyone is traveling west, does not mean that you have to travel west too.

March to the beat of your own drum, even if no one else hears the beat, you march on. You will be glad that you remained true to yourself.

 Final Thoughts

Eating a plant-based diet isn’t for everyone. I don’t expect everyone to stop eating animals, but I do encourage everyone to eat more fruits and vegetables.

No matter what someone says about the diet you choose, always remember that your diet is a personal choice. You’re not hurting anyone by eating vegetarian, vegan, raw vegan or any of the combinations. You are doing your body more good than you will ever know.

The next time someone gives you a side eye or questions you about your diet, tell them why you eat veg and do it with a big smile on your face. Keep that smile on your face and never let anyone see you sweat.

Keep doing you!

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

7 Common Sense Weight Loss Tips for the Raw Vegan Dieter

7 Common Sense Weight Loss Tips for the Raw Vegan Dieter

measuring tape around an appleFasting and eating a raw vegan diet is a good way to lose weight. The body feels great after a fast and eating a raw vegan diet. But what I have noticed is that some people do this thinking they will get fast weight loss results.

There is nothing wrong with wanting fast weight loss results. But is this taking it to the extreme? In some cases, it is extreme.

This has been on my mind for a while, because I see people flocking to this way of losing weight and it may not be the healthiest choice.

Even though I am focusing on the raw vegan diet, this goes for any diet you choose with weight loss as your primary goal.

Losing Weight the Right Way

I am no expert, but I do know that if you take in more calories than you burn, then you will gain weight. I also know that if you cut your caloric intake and exercise, then you will lose the weight.

Eating a raw vegan diet is a way that you can lose weight. This way of losing weight is hard. Especially when you are new to eating a vegan diet.

Some people can go cold turkey, but most people cannot do this and have success. If you are eating the raw vegan diet to lose weight, you may find yourself discouraged.

Why? Because you lose the weight, but then your body sends you signals that you need more food. You start increasing your food intake and then you’re right back where you started.

I see this a lot with people who document their raw vegan journey for weight loss and they either stop documenting or return only to tell you they could not stick with it. Most people do better with making gradual changes.

Why go to such extreme? I know you want the weight to come off fast, but you must do what works best for you and your body.

If you are going to eat a raw vegan diet and do some fasting for weight loss, then here is what I recommend:

Common Sense Tips

I don’t recommend fasting for weight loss. Fasting is a good way to help cleanse your body and to help maintain your weight. But fasting should never be the only thing you do for weight loss.

1. Learn as much as you can. Educating yourself about the raw vegan diet and fasting is the most important thing that you can do. Don’t take other people’s word about certain diets. Do your own research and find scientific information to back up the claims.

2. Consult with a registered dietician. If you are serious about doing things the right way, find someone who specializes in working with people who eat plant-based diets.

3. Pay attention to the amount of food you eat. Portion control is a good way to limit your intake. If you are a big eater anyway, you will probably eat large portions of raw foods. Start controlling your portion sizes before you begin your diet.

Controlling your portion sizes helps with weight loss, regardless if you choose a raw vegan diet or not.

4. Move your body. Some people say that you can lose weight on the raw vegan diet without exercising. It’s true, but if you want a fit body, to keep the weight off, and get amazing results, you must exercise. There’s no getting around this.

5. Eat a balanced diet. Learning what to eat and how much to eat on a raw vegan diet is challenging. There are people who are successful, but you must be on top of this, because if you’re not you can do more harm to your body than good.

6. Get help from an experienced raw food vegan coach. A raw food coach is important because your coach guides and supports you, which helps you stick with your goals.

7.  Take the supplements your body needs.  You don’t want any deficiencies.  Just because others don’t take supplements, doesn’t meant that you follow suit.  Always do what works best for your body.

Conclusion

If you want to lose weight and to keep it off, do things gradually and take your time. Taking your time and doing things gradually results in you successfully losing the weight and maintaining a healthy body weight for the long haul.

It is easy to go for quick fixes because you want to see immediate results. Remember you didn’t gain the excess weight overnight; it will take time for you to lose the weight.

Stick with it, never give up!

Image: nixxphotography / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Eating Food that Resonates with You (Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian)

Eating Food that Resonates with You (Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian)

Featured Article from the Desk of Carolyn Akens.

steamed broccoli and raw vegan cheese sauce

This subject keeps rearing its head and unfortunately it often takes on a negative commentary. People are entitled to their opinions, but when it becomes hurtful a line has clearly been crossed. If you choose to eat raw, vegan, vegetarian, or if you’re a carnivore that is “your choice” only.

There are many people who were 100% raw that are now eating cooked food, but they remain high raw. Whether raw, vegan or vegetarian, whatever the choice no one should be ostracised. Eat what resonates with you and not what someone is telling you to eat. It’s your body and you are accountable. One size doesn’t fit all!

What is truly important is how we treat each other; and let’s remember the golden rule…do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

We need choices to be successful no matter the path we take where food is concerned, if not, we set ourselves up for failure. I am devoted to making a difference in people’s lives when it comes to food and it will always be their decision whatever path they take. It is our birthright to live long and live strong!

renew. restore. revitalize

A Note from Evelyn:  I agree with Ms. Carolyn 100%! One size doesn’t fit all, we are all different.  It doesn’t make sense for people to get defensive and negative about what others eat.  Stop listening to everybody and do what feels right for you.  Whose body is it?

 

chef carolyn akens

Carolyn Akens is a Holistic Health Coach & Raw Food Educator known for her ability to coach women (and men) how to reclaim their health by eating whole foods, how to lose weight, how to detox, and how to stop sugar cravings.

Carolyn also trains and coaches Raw Chefs and Raw Instructors and teaches raw classes and workshops. Visit www.CarolynAkens.com for your FR*EE gifts…How to Become a Skinny Mother or Grandmother, Raw Recipes, and Healing Foods!