Seasons Change

It has been quite a week for me.
It started with E throwing up all over me in bed. Then it proceeded into 4 days of gastrointestinal mayhem for me. I lost 3 pounds and all my energy.
My body rejected all that I offered and wouldn't even stand the smell of Raw snacks, smoothies or a juice.
Consequently I had to break my Raw diet and eat some food...mainly some toast.
Can I just tell you how absolutely divine crunchy toast with melted butter is. My word I didn't realize just how much I missed it.
It wasn't the ideal way to discontinue 100% Raw.
I had envisioned a slow transition, starting with veggie broth and rice.
That has been blown apart with cheese, yogurt and bread.
Can I also say just how much my body is thanking me.
I love that I lasted 10.5 months eating 100% Raw. That I stuck to it, unwavering through out all these months is a powerful life lesson for me.
I feel cleansed. I feel enlightened in many foodie ways.
I feel grateful, and most importantly I feel healthy.
But as I licked my fork this evening after a fabulous grilled salmon dinner at our friends house, I am thankful for the return of variety, and return to "real" foods.
Foods with salt, crunch, and flavour.
I will still strive to be 75% Raw but I will no longer deprive myself of foods that my body craves or of foods lovingly prepared by family and friends.

This has been an emotional, and tiring week.
Changing a diet, especially off the heels of an illness is a lot.
I do realize though just how much effort and thought it went into maintaining my Raw diet.
Now I feel liberated and seem to have a bit more free time on my hands.
Not preparing 2 completely separate menus will do that.
I have many great recipes that I will enjoy and share and probably would never have found them if I hadn't been completely Raw for so long.
There are some new family favorites and I know some recipes will come in handy when camping and such.

I have found that in the past week, I have made my peace with food.

I know I can never rely or trust the industrial food system of today.
I can only do my best, and we try to. But I have to make allowance for life as it happens and not be so fanatical.
I know that as long as I try to put loving food on our plates, we will be happy and healthy.
Deciding to give up the exhaustively enormous tyred I have been keeping up while eating Raw is really going to ease my mind.
I am looking forward to a relaxingly pleasant winter full of warm soups, fresh baked breads and many of the festive desserts sure to be had.
I am also looking forward to ripple chips and a burst of energy from a carb loaded plate of pasta.
I may need to let out a notch in my belt by Christmas, but I believe it is all well worth it.
Food is life, and life is good.