Living Food Lent

Welcome to this project of The Irish School of Herbal Medicine.

This is a wonderfull oppurtunity to embrace raw food and its benefits , having the school as a support , on the highs and lows of our progress is fantastic , im seriously contemplating ,the timing is brilliant ,springtime is perfect for our bodies to have a good clean out , and im sure at the end of the project you will be walking six foot tall,and truly feel alive ,Donna

hello david, how can i joint the club??? i hope i dont have to drive down to portl. 46 days? do i?

hi david, i think thats a great idea. i have already started...bought lots of fruit and veg and have been making green juices, smoothies and vegetarian meals. mine wont be all living but i am hoping to be vegetarian and raw as much as possible. good luck to everyone thinking of taking part.

I am really looking forward to doing this though I must admit I am a bit scared too.

Welcome everyone. My name is Helen Begadon. I am director of the School and I plan to go raw 100% for lent. So today, Tuesday I am enjoying the last of the cooked foods and some coffee and even a glass or two of organic wine. Tomorrow it will be all over and a new enlightened me will begin! I have been vegan for many years and have done lots of raw food stints. The fact is that I enjoy it very much and when I am doing it I wonder why I ever go back on cooked food. Please let us know a little about yourselves and how you feel about the project.

Hello everyone. Just like Helen and some of you, I have decided to take part in this venture. I think it will be great (a bit challenging). I have been vegan for nearly 10 years now but still, every time I start a period on living foods I find it tough for the first few days. But once I am organized, it is much easier. Like always, one week into the living food, I will wonder why did I ever eat cooked food. Still I am not going to give my self a hard time and just going to enjoy it. Also, there is no need to come to the school/clinic. Just keep us posted on how you feel.

Best of luck!

hi there everyone, and good luck, ive been introducing much more raw and green juices to my diet... feel im getting my minerals now!.. im going to try and increase all my raw and live food and then ill go raw for a week and see how i get on, would like to juice more too. good luck everyone .

hi everyone,
I am delighted to be part of this venture into raw. Its great having so much support. As a raw chef I come accross lots of people struggling with their diet. I struggle myself. Its all about having some nice to hand when you are a bit low. I have just made some raw pancakes tonight. There were made from blended bananas, which was spread on a teflex sheet and derydrated for 18 hours or until dry. They will be a handy sweet snack during lent. Looking forward to it. Enjoy the process. veronica

Hello all. I am going to give this my best shot and go for the 100% Raw. I'm well in to the swing of juicing and eating a vegan diet so if I can manage to go Raw for a week I think I'll be able to continue for the rest of Lent.Thats my plan anyway looking forward to the challange and hope I can stick to it.

Hi everyone. Having recently experienced the huge benefits of juice fasting and raw living food, I have again stocked up my supplies of vegetables and fruit & I’m ready for my next round of it, although I’m not committing to 100% raw this time but I’ve continued to make my juice daily & also have as much raw food as possible & have vegetarian meals for the rest of the time. Good luck to everybody & its great to have the support of the group to encourage each other in our efforts. And do remember the first few days will be the toughest, so hang in there it get easier. Gena.

Hi everyone. I'm going to use this oppertunity to go vegan. I will try and incorporate as much raw as possible. 100% raw involves a huge learning curve. I have learned some but it'll take awhile until it becomes second nature to think in the raw. For me the hardest part is to get into the habit of planning ahead. I'm so used to cooking on the cuff. It feels to me like what I need to be successful is a consciousness shift. Routine could well be the key for me. I tend to wing it. To get into the kitchen and play with whatever is there. I love working with this kind of spontaneity. However I will have to be much more organised for a raw diet. I think that I can learn to prepare essentials like say nut butters, seeds, Veronica's delicious wraps etc in advance and have them available and then still work in a spotaneous creative way, when the mood takes me. Best of luck to everyone. It's great to have the support of everyone.

Hi everyone, well, its the first day of many and today I am feeling very excited about this new venture. I am full of positivity about the whole thing and I am looking forward to pass the first few days and just settle into it. This morning I had the famous 'Banana Shake', which includes Bananas!, pear and soaked almonds (36 hours). We did not add sunflower seeds (soaked) as we forgot to soak them in time. It was lovely, refreshing and also sweet. What a nice way to start. At lunch time we had grated organic carrots with dressing of lemon, olive oil, sunflower seed paste. It was delicious and very filling.

Hi,

I've been trying to go completely raw for the last three months, but there was always something in the way, like Xmas holiday season and other social or work related occasions where I was served standard dishes. I'm always trying to be polite and please the host, so I eat what they prepare or order for me to eat. Now it's a perfect time to refuse such offers for religious reasons. I'm going to try it tomorrow - we're having a company lunch at... Eddie Rocket's...

Good Luck you all with your diet strikes!
Regards,
MK

Hello everyone,
I survived my first day of my raw food diet. Since it is my first day I will fill you in on it all after this I will just highlight any interesting meals I may have had or failures! I started off the day with my usual juice of carrot, apple,celery and ginger this time I added a courgette as I had no cucumber. I wasn't sure if I'd like it but it was lovely not strong like I had imagined. Later I had some oats,barley and millet flakes with soaked almonds, diced apple and rice milk. In preparation for this big event I made a batch of dehydrated wraps (Kevin's Wraps from Veronica's Book Raw in a Cold Climate) I chopped up some avocado,tomatoes,garlic olive oil, cayenne pepper and added some shredded kale, and bean-sprouts and filled up my wrap. It was delicious and very filling. For my final meal I had some cinnamon seed crackers I also dehydrated with some chopped banana and soaked almonds. It went well today because I had some wraps and crackers already made as I know I would I would have missed having bread or Potato's. I only hope I can keep this up.

Hi there,

I'm really impressed with this venture and how exciting to have a forum to discuss and get support around these changes in diet. Fair play to all of you above, inspiring me! I'm due to give birth in 4 weeks time so I will not be making any massive commitments or drastic changes however I really want to connect in around this as it is an area that I struggle with a could do with the inspiration and support. Since January I have been back to regular juicing and sprouting and have been moving towards what I consider about 50% raw live foods in my daily diet (which I'm happy with for now!). As always I am up and down with this, so taking this opportunity to re-commit to daily green juices, and expanding my recipes for raw soup and salads to be eaten daily.

Hello folks
I never knew I had a sweet tooth but on day two of raw food I was longing for something sweet. So I made an apple pie...raw of course. The base was made by putting walnuts, some goji berries, some soaked sunflower seeds and some milled flaxseed into a processor and mixing them. I flattened that out onto a flat dish and put some finely grated sweet organic apples and a little cinnamon on top. Covered that up with cream made by blending almonds that had been soaked for 30 hours and water and I had an apple pie to live for!

Yo....I started this Wednesday with a day of fasting, just water, herbal teas and 1 litre of hot
lemon, honey and cayenne! My commitment is 50% raw and 50% vegan, no alcohol, no coffee, no sugar!
I recon Dr. Christopher was onto something with giving the body a rest day once a week so I am
geared for a juice day every Wednesday to see how that goes! I have one confession to make which is I
have to take next Monday off from this way of life, due to a work commitment and a chef gathering at
**Mitchelin....but I will go for an extra 6 days at the end of lent to compensate!

Hi everyone,
Its really inspirational to read all the comments and to have the support of the forum for all the changes taking place. I'm using this opportunity to go completely vegan and to use as much raw food as possible in my diet (I'm probably at around 50% now) as Ive really got back into it since Christmas doing extra juicing and using sprouts daily.At the moment I'm increasing my repertoire of salads and my next step is to get a dehydrator to make those delicious crackers and wraps and most importantly for me some raw sweet treats as thats where I usually fall by the wayside! Veronicas raw pancakes sound great as does your apple pie Helen.

Hi Everyone,
today was a great day for me as I went to the The Irish Raw Food Meet Up Group in Dublin for a potluck and sprouting demo. Great fun and lots of lovely food. It was great to eat what others made. Website /www.meetup.com/The-Irish-Raw-Food-Meetup-Group/ Veronica O'Reilly

HI Everyone,

I was thrilled to log on and find this project, I started 50% raw food diet on wednesday and also doing more juicing, I have being juicing greens for a while now and want to get more adventurous. I have being bringing my lunch with me every day but I am starting to run out of ideas for lunch. Are there any good books or web sites anyone knows off that offer some recepies? Best of luck to everyone.

Hello everyone,

It is great to see the response from people. I am still 100% raw and I can tell you now that I am feeling the benefits already. I am sleeping very deeply and do not wake at all during the night, but when I wake up I am fully alert in moments. I feel much more energy during the day. I am more cheerful! and easily amused :)

I find it sometimes that I am not as grounded as I was last week. I guess it is a part of the detox and it will pass. But I do feel very clear and in the moment which is a reasonable substitute. I also have a few words to say for those who preach that raw food will not warm you during the irish ever lasting winter: "it is not true'. I am consuming so many warming herbs (cayenne, cumin, tumeric, cinnamon and more...) in raw soups, and onions and garlic, which increase circulation throughout the body.

Best luck for everyone...

Hello everybody
Very excited with this raw food support network . Brilliant idea . I would love to see it continue well after lent is over . I have been vegetarian for almost two years and since starting Herbal course I have become vegan , giving up eggs as the last of the animal foods in Oct .I have been thinking about giving 100% Raw a go . Got to approx 80% raw last summer for a two weeks and felt great .I have to admit I have never been convienced of 100% Raw in winter time David , but I think this might be the time to give it a go . The Juice fasting also appeals to me having been inspired by Gena who did a 11 day juice fast , still smiling, engaging ,and coherent ! amazing .! I am going to try one day per week of juice fasting for rest of lent .

Hi folks! Its our sixth day. I am feeling a bit cranky...not craving any cooked food ,but just cranky. I guess all the emotions I normally supress with heavy foods are coming out!

Hi Everyone,

Just recently heard of the lenten project and am delighted to join up. I have been in transition with regard to live foods for about 2 years now and have recently up the comminment to live . I am maybe 70% raw but don't call myself 100% anything yet because for me that sets up some kind of panic and resistence and I immediatly start looking for some sweet starchy food! Love reading how you all are getting on and feel very inspired to keep commited!

Hello again,
I started off this 100% raw food while I was not feeling the best health wise mainly due I would say to my overindulgence of chocolate daily which I am off now maybe five weeks or so. The reason I went 100% raw was to heal myself faster of a health condition that has resurfaced from all this chocolate bingeing I did. However I think I had an overload of toxins in my system from this which has come to the surface. I have been quite sick over the pass weekend vomiting and feverish very weak and dizzy even headaches which I never get. I see this as natures way of getting these toxins out of my system. So I have decided to have only fresh green juices for the next few days as I want to get better as quick as I can then when I feel the healing benefits I will get back into the raw food.

Hi everyone
Now raw for a while and feeling fine. I have gone past the 'frantic preparation of tasty raw dishes' stage and feel happy enough with simple raw food. How is everyone else getting on?

HI, STILL MORE SNOW HERE YESTERDAY , starting to think im really living in alaska so im probably doing 80% raw ,,green juice in the morning followed by huge bowl of green salad at lunch rocket, sunflower and lots of sprouts ,and vegetable soup in the eve , i am playing with the bottom oven of range though , using it as a dehydrator , so far have managed tomatoes, and a scrummy snack of soaked almonds , mixed with a tiny bit of nut butter ,honey and tamari, they hit the spot , played with some flaxseed,, sesame seeds , buckwheat , goji berries and raisins to make some breakfast toast quite yumm, great to see so many commited good luck to all

Hello there,
It is nearly two weeks and I am feeling great. I have to pinch myself as I am feeling so much energy I was afraid I was beginning to get old... :)

Hello,
Im keeping things really simple with just a variety of salads. I am missing things like wholegrain rice or bread and would love to hear any suggestions of quick and easy options of something that could go along with my salads. I love the sound of your brecfast toast Donna and am going to give it a try. Do you soak the seeds before and how long for.

Hi everyone,
I had some family and social events so my raw Lent took a tumble. Back on it since. I made some mild spicy lentil soup which hit the spot. broth is made from brown rice miso, a little of each of the following, curry powder, cinnamon, cumin, tamari, 100g cashew nuts(soaked) water with diced carrot, onion, celery and just before serving add the lentils.

hi, i soaked the flaxseed and the buckwheat for about 20 mins , the buckwheat really does not need long , untill it kind of goes gelitinous you can allso add the goji and raisins along with this , as for missing out on rice have you tried soaking quinoa this is gogeous and is so versatile say with goji raisins or any fruit with maybe cinnamon for breakfast and for lunch or dinner spices ie cayenne or tamari can be added for a savoury version

Hello everyone,
For those who like a spicy taste - Kale Bites are great. Wash kale and take out the stems (use for juicing) dry well. In a bowl mix 2 dessertspoons olive oil, 1 dessertspoon of tamari, a pinch of chili, cayenne, curry. Mix well and massage the mix into the kale. Allow to marinate for a few hours and dehydrate until crisp ( 9 -12 hours or overnight. Great taste
love veronica

Thanks Donna, I never tried soaking quinoa I just presumed it was something that you had to cook so thats great something else to put on my plate. Those kale bites sound great I'm going to give them a try too.

hey, Long time vegan, short time raw vegan here! (and loving it ;-)) I'm in London for a few days. nothing planned so when i go to a restaurant they have no notice - god help them when a raw vegan lands on their door step! so during the day i stock up on fresh fruit, raw cereal bars (a must 4 handbag to avoid the munchies) avacado's and a seed mix. all easily gotten, stored and eaten! therefore when i go out at night, it all i get is a simple salad - i'll have had plenty in the day to keep me going and know that when i go back to the hotel room i have some there as well. when out in a restaurant i look for maybe melon to start, then a big salad with nuts, seeds if they have them, cold pressed olive and sunflower oils, fresh herbs, fresh garlic & chilli, avacado, sundried tomatos and loads of salad leaves and fresh raw veg. i always tell them that i want a meat reaters salad! ie not the usual miserable limp lettuce and never seen sun tomatos....but a hearty plate full. desert is generally a disaster so i skip it as it usually consists of fruit salad, which isnt a good idea after so much veg. so dont be afraid to go out for dinner, try and phone in advance and if you cant put a big smile on your face and ask v nicely and you will be suprised at the responses you'll get! Grá Marie

hi guys, well done to all of you, my plans for more raw and vegan food has had ups and downs but reading all your comments is inspiring me to try again, its hard when family tastes and committments are all over the place. i also think that being organised in so much as having some fresh and tasty raw foods and fruit in the house at all times would make it easier to stay on track. keep up the good work everyone and please keep posting simple and tasty raw food recipes as that helps a lot.

Hi guys, well done to everyone doing this!!!

I've been off the wagon for some time so my goal is to be vegan again by end of Lent and then start on a journey towards living foods. My goal for end of year is 50-50 cooked and raw, always vegan.

DONNA, for how long do you soak the quinoa? Cheers

Today I'm sprouting lentils, quinoa, and broccoli seeds. I'm using the SOL jars with red plastic lids. I've soaked the three overnight and rinsed them once this morning. Any tips?

Hello there,

I find lentils so easy to sprout. I like green lentils (Pie lentils) the most as they feel very chewy and are so easy to grow. What I do is soak them for 24 hours in a plastic container. Store them in a dark place (normal temperature, not the hot press!!) and then every 24 hours I just rinse them with water and not soak them anymore after that. In about 3 days their tails are about 1/2 an inch long (or more) and are ready to eat.

Enjoy!

hi, there are two ways in which to prepare quinoa, the first sprouting were you rinse it well and then leave to soak over nightrinse again and then leave to sprout for a day, the second was shown to me by elaine bruce who has been raw for some 27 years and spent a lot of time with ann wigmore ,she would rinse well soak overnight then place in a saucepan with water just covering and heat gently watch it and dont let it get to hot , then put a tight fitting lid on and leave to stand off the heat undisturbed , so the seed can absorb the warm water , this will take about half an hour , although it can be left all day if needed , i have adapted this way myself only slightly differant, after the rinsing and soaking stage i then put it in a container and pour boiling water over and leave it to stand undisturbed till the evening on the kitchen work top, allthough the water is boiling in effect the quinoa does not get over 118 degrees and is cooling all the time as it is not on heat, allthough i leave my pot near the range so it is warm some times i add raw garlic , tamari , some times plain , some times seaweed and pine nuts i am not really a sweet tooth, but ollie loves it with chopped fruit , pressing it in to a mould ie a circular basin is lovely with tiny chopped veg and lovely herbs i love mint , basil and corriander, leave for a few hours to let the flavours mingle then turn onto a plate as a centre piece and surround with rocket and strips of red pepper and scallion and chopped herbs, i like this with a tomatoe sauce made with sundried toms and fresh toms its all down to taste so experiment , buckwheat is another great one to experiment with especially nice for smoothies enjoy

Thanks guys.

David, lentils are one of my favorites as well. Very easy to sprout, ideal for beginners :-)

Donna, your quinoa tips are priceless, thanks so much, all sounds delicious.

My quinoa sprouts were very tasty, but a bit hard, even though the tails are quite long. I'm going to try the heating method to see if they get a bit softer next time.

Cheers!

At our living food day on Saturday Veronica mentioned taking care of our equipment and I thought "of course" as I seriously love my raw food machines like my food processor etc. However today I managed to break first my expensive one which was a serious present to myself that involved a lot of procrastination before my committing to its purchase. I did it by leaving a spoon in the raw homous and then forgetting it was there! My old inexpensive one just died in sympathy with it a couple of hours later. What is the universe trying to tell me!

P.S. It was a great day with about 25 people in attendance. Thanks to Veronica who was so interesting as always.

I really enjoyed the scrummy food on saturday, so inspiring. Thanks Veronica especially for that lovely chocolate surprise at the end with the coconut cream. Something so tasty and yet had the goodness of avocados in it. I'm really looking forward to the course and learning and tasting more. The difference that this raw food diet has made to me is amazing. I'm full of energy and all my symptoms have gone, I don't know myself really so this is a road I want to stay on as much as possible. Sorry to hear about your equipment Helen.....

Feel the need to impress how important it is to get our green juice in to our diet, preferably in the morning, along with our green salads in the day , im tired from 3 days in clinic , so will comment on this further , but please remember we can not eat on a plate any where near what we would juice ,drink and chew , juice green and we will feel energized , fulfilled and our emotions will be catered for on a deeper level this is important love and light donna

Hi everyone,
we hosted Alive in Healthy Habits (SOL) on Sat and I had made Kevin's Coconut Cake (CHOC flavour) in bowls (it is like a mousse) I was going to add peppermint Ice Cream and Banana Wafers to it but lo and behold it didn't set!!! A disaster ! but luckily Mary Lou ( a chef who helps me sometimes) had the bright idea of fruit salad with choc sauce and the peppermint ice cream and the wafer. It was fab! There are no disasters only creative opportunities. veronica

thats fantastic veronica , i always love the challenge , when something turns out differant to what i expected, what can i create with it now ,its amazing what evolves out of a so called disaster you rock !