MY raw-vegan-food pyramid

I'm not too keen about supplements though :S

VEGAN is my middle name

I initially wanted to share a video post and/or the general public's view on raw veganism, but after viewing a few, I realized that I forgot to mention my "Before" status and experience as a vegan.

On November 01 2009, I decided to go vegan for a number of reasons, mainly which were health- and environment-related. However, I did not in any way expect the results!!

Around one week into my new-found veganism, after the caffeine withdrawal and all, I started feeling very different.

(At the expense of sounding like a complete wacko, I WILL ELABORATE)

My senses were more awake, I could almost smell and feel everything.

The sunshine and the warm breeze, that smell of freshly cut grass and the feeling of light drops of water on my face from the sprinklers across the street. IT WAS FABULOUS. Never was I so aware and alert in my life.

I felt so grateful for what we all have going on.

Beside the excelled sense of feeling and no longer existent feeling of bloated-ness, I started witnessing something visible.

One afternoon, a colleague at work pointed out the couple of grey hairs that I had (and also obsessed about). She also pointed out that these grey hairs appear kind of pigmented, and when you look closely, the roots of these hairs were back to my original hair color!

According to my main and only reference: Google, change in dietary regimen and nutrients intake CAN and MAY reduce hair pigmentation. (You hear that Mom?)

So, going vegan might not be that bad after all, right?

Check out the following videos for more of an explanation:

Countdown: Raw in 72 hrs

In case anyone was wondering, I'm still as excited and enthusiastic about going raw for the next year. I have not changed my mind about anything, and have actually short-listed the main food groups that I'll be focusing on.

I need to stock up on raw food and I'm mainly looking into:
- Raw nuts (ie. Almonds, Cashews, Walnuts, Pistachios, Pecans, Pinenuts, Chestnuts..)
- All kinds of fruits
- Some vegetables that do not require boiling/steaming. Personal raw favorites include; lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, carrots, peppers, rocca leaves, avocado..)

I FEEL like I'll be very cranky throughout the first week or so, so please bear with me. However, the soothing, mellow music of Jack Johnson and Ben Harper should do the trick.

I highly recommend 'Traffic in the Sky- Jack Johnson" and "The Drugs don't work- Ben Harper" for those who may attempt the same challenge.

Speaking of which, any other participants out there? Please step up and share your invaluable experiences.

Ova and out,
Aisha

Out with the old and in with the RAW

Wikipedia describes Raw veganism as 'diet which combines veganism and raw foodism. It excludes all food of animal origin, and all food cooked above 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit).

And that is exactly what I intend to do for the upcoming 365 days, beginning from January 01 2010. Yes, I know. You may think that it's extreme, stupid and lacks purpose. But when was the last time YOU challenged yourself to do something and stuck by it? Nevertheless for 365 days?!

Without further due, I present to you myself:

I am a 22 year old Financial Analyst who goes by the name Aisha (aka. Isaac). I am also a vegan and striving humanitarian and environmentalist. Though some may describe me as hard-headed, obsessive and just plain old weird, others consider me helpful, kind and quite driven.

The reason behind this is to gain a sense of challenge while acquiring health and rebirth. Throughout the following 365 days, I will document this experience including what I eat, how I feel, how much I weigh and any other symptoms that come along with it.

Tomorrow, I will go get myself checked in order to document the BEFORE results.

So it's Four days till the new year and I'm psyched!

Cheers,
Aisha (aka. Isaac)
xoxo