This is a simple outline to transitioning to Raw Veganism. This can be done in more ways than mentioned here but the effort of this guide is to offer a preliminary direction to anyone seeking to make the changes necessary to succeed with a Raw Vegan Diet and Lifestyle. Feel free to take all advisory subjectively, using this as a jumping off point for your own exploration and evaluation of Raw Veganism.
1. Make the Decision
This is not something that should be taken lightly, as it opens the door for as much healing to the body as it does discomfort in the beginning. You’ll be taking away food, drinks, and substances (aka specific chemical compounds) that your system has been accustomed to for years, if not your whole life. This can have adverse reactions and detox symptoms associated with it that can be uncomfortable at first. For example, we can become fatigued or have even flu-like symptoms when our body is responding to a withdrawal from a certain chemical dependency.
This is one of the hardest parts and it does subside. This is why being committed to the decision is important, as this may be the time where you’ll want to revert right back to the food or substance you’ve removed as a comfort or habit at times of unease. This will only restart the process of healing- prolonging the symptomalogy that is actually a sign of your healing! This is a reminder- RAW FOOD IS A DETOX LIFESTYLE. This is not the “indulge in whatever you want all the time, even thought its bad for you” kind of program. It’s about foods that heal and serve the body. If it doesn’t heal or serve the body, then it’s damaging it.
Those are the foods and substances we’re moving away from, which can and will always be hard because of our brains conditioning. If you’re committed, it will be more motivating to get through this period. If you’ve decided to do 7 days, then stay with it the full 7 days! How will you ever get any results if you don’t stay the course?
2. Start Small
Speaking of 7 Days, that’s a great start! Even if it’s 3 days. Whatever you can do to begin shifting your habits to healthier ones is better than not at all. There are a few ways to go about beginning transitions.
7, 14, or 28 Day Challenges
These are specific periods of time committed to participating in a Fully Raw Program complete with breakfast, lunch, and dinner for each day aligned in Raw Vegan Principles. They can be found online (we’re working on our first one now!) and are plentiful. Partaking in a short program can be motivating and low risk as there is guidance and support to guide you through every step of the way. All that you’ll need to be willing to do is follow it!
Meal Supplementing
Beginning with replacing one meal time a day with Raw Food is how we started. Instead of going Fully Raw in one shot, we decided to take breakfast and turn that into our raw meal of the day for a while. When we were ready, we slowly incorporated raw into the rest once our bodies started to communicate to us that it was ready.
Adding Raw Elements to every Meal
One of the easiest ways to begin transitioning (without taking anything away yet) is by just adding to! Take every meal and find a way to incorporate a raw element into it. If you’re having taco night, make sure there’s extra fresh salsa or guacamole accompanying it. Or pancakes for breakfast? Have fresh cut fruit on the side or use them as your topping instead of processed syrups. This is a definite to getting the body used to processing more Raw Food and is important for some as it’s a new experience for the body to produce enzymes it isn’t used to like before. It’s all a process and it does take time. By incorporating a little at a time, it’s an easy way to start getting the body ready for a larger transition.
3. Plan
Planning is of the most importance on this as without a plan, it can be much easier to relapse and revert to old habits and foods. If there is a plan, it acts as a guide (like this one!) that can be a pillar or stability when you need it most. And planning isn’t just in thought. Write it down! Figuring out what and how you’re going to supply your body with enough to get through the week, challenge, or month is important. Raw food is not about convenience (unfortunately) or else more people would be doing it. It’s about mindfulness and intention. These are beautiful things to curate and have more of in our life. It enriches our being and produces a better human. The health we strive to attain is through the efforts we willingly proceed with. So plan for success and it will yield to that.
Your plan should include:
- Why you want to go Raw Vegan
- Your goals: To lose weight, heal an ailment, improve sleep.. all of the above?!
- How long you’ll participate for: One week, one month…Forever!?
- Your Schedule: When you’ll meal plan, shop, prep, etc.
- What you’ll make: This is where our Recipes come in! Having good inspiration, easy to advanced recipes to try, and things that keep your interests, as well as satisfy in flavor.
- Time to reflect: Self-inventory is one of the most important things we all some times forget to do. Know when you’ll check in with yourself and see how it’s going, how you’re feeling, and what your thoughts are.
- Your Support Group: The people who will keep you accountable. (This can be yourself if you’re super strong willed!) Is it us? Your friends? Your family? Coworkers? Who will help you maintain this lifestyle that you can turn to for support? (Visit us @Rawfoodrevive or Contact at anytime for more help in this department)
It seems like a lot, but anything is when you’re first learning how to navigate it. These things become second nature the longer you’re at it. But we all need to start somewhere and this is a great thing to have on hand to reference whenever you’re needing some alignment!
4. Execution
Finally, it’s time to do this thing! How exciting! You’ve taken the time to find your favorite recipes, buy that amazing Blender and Dehydrator, and know exactly how long you’re going to commit to Raw Veganism for. AMAZING! Now get started. And don’t wait to jump either. Just dive in and try swimming even if all you’re doing is kicking around a bit. Try and try again, no matter what the outcome. Because this process in itself is where so much of the learning and important “spiritual changes” take place during the transition. We learn where we’ve been afraid, what we’ve been hiding behind, or what we hold on to when we should really be letting go.
Having Compassion…
These stages vary for everyone and the best advice we have is to be COMPASSIONATE! Love it all, no matter how terrible it feels or looks or is. Embrace the difficulties, as well as the successes- because they are on their way with persistence, no matter what! This time is yours to heal your mind as well as your body, because they go hand in hand. The degree in which we do this can be the gentle nudge we need to preserve and feel loved by ourselves all in the same token.
Self-love is what this is all about in the first place! You’re doing this to heal and improve yourself to begin with, so keep that in mind when you need to show yourself some more love. That’s the wavelength that breeds the wellness, tranquility, and balance we all seek. Keep your heart and mind open, staying delicate with your commitment and we promise that love will start to shine through and heal in ways unimaginable!
Feel free to check out our Weekly Schedule for your own information or example!