Raw Food Diet Diary

I’m back.  The Raw Food Diet Diary is back, too.

While I was “gone,” I was hit by a car, walked my daughter down the aisle, helped put my mother-in-law into a retirement complex, and read my son’s wedding announcement on Facebook.

I’ve also allowed myself to get a little distracted from my raw food diet goals.  Consequently, I’ve replaced most of the weight I lost last summer.

Thankfully, I never had my November cold.  In fact, I haven’t had a cold during the current “Cold and Flu Season.”  I figure my days without getting sick are numbered, though.

So, I’m starting over from square one.

It’s 31 days until my 51st birthday.  I have resolved to eat a raw food diet for the next 30 days.  After that, I’ll reevaluate.

Since the Green Smoothie seems to be the food that best helps me to avoid temptation, it will figure prominently into the equation.  I plan to have at least one for breakfast.  And, for the next several days, one for dinner, too.

In fact, bananas and greens will be my staples for the first third of the month.  I read on the McDougall website that eating (basically) the same thing three meals a day for 10 days would jump start weight loss and recalibrate one’s appetite.  Dr. McDougall did it with potatoes; I’ll do it with bananas to provide me adequate calorie intake and to control appetite.

I’ll get my variety by picking other fruits to add to smoothies or to eat alone.

And, I’ll look at plans for the remaining two-thirds of the month.  The 80-10-10 book has some good recipes.  So does Roger Haeske’s membership site.  If I’m getting bored, I’ll look to one of those sources for some variety.

I’m thinking that it would be nice to have my weight back down in time for our family ski trip in March.  I’m thinking that it would be even better to be cold-free this winter.

We’ll see what happens . . .

Things are starting to settle down in my world.  Although much of SE Texas is still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, my world is returning to normal.  I’m thankful for my own blessings, and I pray that relief will come those who need it quickly and completely.

I received a copy of Victoria Boutenko’s book, Green for Life, a couple of days ago.  I finished reading it a few minutes ago.

I can’t say that it gave me any information that was radically different than what I learned in The 80-10-10 Diet, by Douglas Graham, but Boutenko certainly reinforced Graham’s information.

I’ve been neglecting my intake of greens lately.  I know better, I’ve just been a little lazy.  I plan to change that, starting today.

I’ve also let myself down by not chronicling my progress regularly.  I’m not going to dwell on my failure, but move forward.

Speaking of moving forward: The other day, I received the “complant free” bracelets that I had ordered.  I broke one a couple of months ago (while switching wrists) and have been wearing a substitute bracelet given to me by a friend.

I really liked having the purple bracelet again (the other one was grey).  Somehow, the brighter color reminds me of my resolve to acquire the habit of becoming complaint free.

Somebody asked me how I was doing with my complaint free quest the other day.  My record still stands at nine days.  I thought about how to answer the question, and I realized that I’m now averaging about five days between changes.  Consdering that I changed wrists multiple times daily when I first started, that’s incredible progress!  Yes, I know that others have progressed faster, but I’m happy that I’ve stuck with the program now for almost 18 months . . . even if I am a slow learner! 

I also know quite a few people who wore the bracelet for a week, then gave up “temporarily.”  I’m surprised I’m not one of them.  The fact that I’m not reinforces my belief that I can’t fail until I decide to stop trying.

I suspect that holds true for anyone committing to a raw food diet.  Most of us “fail” repeatedly before sticking to that commitment.

The only failure that counts, in my mind, is the very last one that I decide not to recover from.  Everything else is just a valuable learning experience.

Here’s an update on Houston/Galveston post Hurrcane Ike . . .

Schools are out for the week.  Most schools sustained little or no structural damage, but some are still lacking electricity or suffering electrical problems due to power surges.

Half of my neighborhood is still without electricity.  We’re running an extension cord across the street to our neighbors so they can run their refrigerator.

Based on what I’m seeing on the news, lack of refrigeration is the primary concern in these parts.  Grocery stores have rows of freezer cases which are taped off until they can dispose of their contents (which thawed during the power outage).  Lines are forming at distribution centers so people can get badly needed ice to preserve food.

Lack of gasoline runs a close second as a concern.  A reporter on TV just said that gas stations are going through a week’s worth of gas in half a day.  Part of that is due to people running gasoline generators.  Part of it is due to people filling tanks that didn’t get filled before the storm (during hurricane season, residents are always advised to keep gas tanks full . . . obviously, some don’t listen).  Then there are those who are topping off tanks frequently . . . I’m hearing that quite a few of us fall in that category.  Personally, I’m wondering why people are driving so much that they feel the need to top off?  Or, is it just a wee bit of paranoia?

Criticism is beginnng.  People are tired of shortages, and some are getting cranky (and vocal).  I understand their crankiness; I get cranky when I have to do without, too.  It appears to me, though, that local officials are doing their level best to get people what they need as quickly as possible.  Judging from what I can see, relief efforts (while not perfect) are proceeding as they should.  I especially see Mayor White and Judge Emmett focusing on solving problems quickly and efficiently . . . and refusing to point fingers at others when things go wrong.  Kudos especially to Judge Emmett for streamlining shipments to points of distribution.

Mostly, I’m counting my blessings.  My family is safe.  My home was undamaged.  I have power.  I have food and water.  I have enough money to live on.  I have people who care about me.

My only challenge is . . . I need bananas.  Two days ago, there were none at the store.  I’m going to make another banana run now to see if more have turned up.  Wish me luck! 

I just rode out my second major hurricane since moving to Houston.  Rita, 3 years ago, was small potatoes (for this area) compared to Ike.

I’m one of the lucky ones.  We started preparing when Edouard appeared to be heading this way.  We had ample water, food, and protection for ourselves and our property.

We did lose power for about 40 hours and water for about 8 hours.  At this writing, 80% of the Houston area is still without power and/or running water.

Galveston is one of my favorite places.  It breaks my heart to see the pictures of the widespread destruction down there.  I pray that the island will experience a full recovery and that its people are well-cared for.

[Update 9/15/2008: I'm watching a video tour (by helicopter) of Galveston Island.  Buildings along the Seawall appear to have fared well with only occasional roof damage.  The buildings near the Flagship Hotel, over the water, are gone and account for much of the rubble between 25th St. and 21st St.  The East End was flooded; most of the historic homes are on stilts, though, and likely suffered little damage (unless the owners turned them into "first floors").  Bolivar Peninsula, on the other hand, suffered massive losses.  I'm happy that Galveston fared better than I thought (based on first impressions).  Still, the city has a long road to recovery ahead of it.]

Posting may remain sporadic here for the next period of time.  While we sustained no damage to speak of (except a couple of broken tree limbs) there’s a lot of clean up to do.  Today, I’m going to enjoy having luxuries like air conditioning and the internet again.  Tomorrow, I’ll be cleaning up my house and, as necessary, helping neighbors to do the same.

City, state and federal officials appear to be doing a good job of responding.  Kudos to Mayor Bill White and County Judge Ed Emmett for the leadership during this crisis.  Things here seem far less chaotic than they did before and after Rita.  I’m happy to see that Governor Perry and Senators Cornyn and Hutchison are on site overseeing relief efforts.

[Update 9/15/2008: I continue to be impressed by Mayor White and Judge Emmett.  They are keeping cool heads and doing what needs to be done . . . if FEMA isn't quite up to speed in an area, they are handling it instead of complaining about it!  Mayor White, unfortunately, has reached his term limit or he'd have my vote next election; Judge Emmett has my vote for sure!]

A big jeer to Congressman Culberson for his rant about FEMA “dropping the ball” keeping first responders fed.  Your timing, sir, was inappropriate.  I’m happy that you’re helping our first responders; Lord knows they need all the help and advocacy they can get.  However, the public didn’t need to hear about this right now.  Still, I’m sure your performance this afternoon will get you some votes in the upcoming election.  I’m not sure, though, that one of them will be mine.

Until I post again, stay well, eat raw, and love without reservation!

I’m sorry that I haven’t posted for a couple of weeks.  As you’ll learn in this post, I’ve been a little preoccupied with other concerns.

The day after my last post, I received an e mail that a friend and colleague had passed away.  She suffered a massive heart attack on Friday, died on Saturday, and was buried on Monday.

She was 56 years old.

Claudia’s funeral was beautiful.  It was attended by family, friends, and former students.  Her four daughters lovingly shared their memories of their mother, and she was eulogized by her boss.  My friend was full of passion and energy when it came to her cello playing and her teaching.  She is missed by many.

A week later, my mother-in-law’s significant other succumbed to cancer.  He had been battling prostate cancer for about a year.  Additionally, he was beginning to suffer from Parkinsons, and arthritis was getting the best of him.

I feel sad for my mother-in-law.  She developed her friendship with Earl shortly after both of their spouses passed away in 1997.  They propped each other up during their grief, and became consistent companions over the next eleven years.

My mother-in-law has had her own health challenges over the years.  She’s had knee and hip replacements and heart surgery over the last dozen years.  She is currently using a walker, because she hasn’t fully regained her leg strength since her heart surgery in April.  Between her lack of mobility and the loss of her companion, I’m concerned about her prognosis for the future.  Time will tell.

The Princess and I have been on our own for the last week while the Sweetheart flew home to her mother and then to a business meeting.  Last night, at bedtime, the Princess told my wife that she had been having dreams about something happening to me as well.  We don’t know what that something is; it scares her enough that she doesn’t want to talk about it for fear of dreaming about it further.

I’m not afraid of death.  I am, however, concerned about the process of dying.

Death can come at any time, regardless of how healthy my lifestyle is.  I also know that healthy lifestyle won’t necessarily fix everything if I get hit by a truck and it makes me an invalid for life.

I think, though, that dying the ways that Claudia and Earl did is almost completely avoidable.  That’s why I’m choosing to move toward a raw food diet.

However, I haven’t been honoring that commitment as well as I could lately.  I also noticed, when I checked in at Roger Haeske’s forum, that others are struggling, too.

So, as my mother used to say, it’s time to shit or get off of the pot.

Easier said than done, Mom, but I promise to do my best.