A Whole Lotta Compost

Okay, folks. Here's a recap. My hubby and I tried the 80/10/10 raw vegan winter menu plan last week and this is how it went.

It didn't.

Well, to be exact, the first three and a half days we managed to follow the menu . . .and then we couldn't. But not for reasons that you might think.

First of all, the winter menu calls for a lot of citrus; oranges, tangerines, pineapple, etc. By day two, the sides of our lips were so chapped and raw and it made eating anything very difficult. I'm still recovering.

Also, and I assure you, there was PLENTY of food. So being full wasn't the issue. But because we have limited resources (and foresight), some of our food like greens went bad.  If we were to attempt this again, I would either have a greenhouse/garden to harvest our own fresh picked greens, or split the grocery shopping into two trips a week to ensure freshness.

So, because of some of these missteps, we were undercarbed and it resulted in us going off of the menu to other cooked options to get the necessary calories we needed by day four. After that, we just mixed in some raw meals with other things and just called it good.

However, just to fill you in on some of the results we experienced; My hubs lost 8 lbs in three days, while I lost 3.  Our digestion was wonderful. (read between the lines) And I learned some new raw dressing options sans oil, which were delicious.  (Oranges or pineapple blended with tahini)

It wasn't a complete waste . . .especially since our compost bins have never been happier in such a short amount of time!  Which only makes me wish for spring all the faster so we can get our greens planted.

So, that was our experience. Anyone else have issues with all of the citrus?

80/10/10 Winter Menu, Modified

As I mentioned yesterday, my DH and I (and perhaps our two year old) are embarking on the 80/10/10 diet. Mostly for health, some weight loss, and self-discipline.

If anyone noticed, today was Valentine's Day, so we granted ourselves special dispensation to start tomorrow. 

I did all of the shopping today, and would like to share with you the ingredients that Dr. Graham calls for in his winter menu plan of 80/10/10.

I will also give the estimates of the food that I bought by the pound, just so you have an idea what a family of three will hopefully consume in a week. This is based on a 2,000 calorie/day plan, as set up in the book. 

Above we have grapefruit (5lbs), kiwi (2 lbs) limes (1 lb) and tangerines (12lbs). 

Below you see papayas (15-20lbs), some extra grapefruit and persimmons. 

So let me explain, as this is where the modification comes in. One of the meals calls for us to eat 2lbs of persimmons apiece. However, two of the three grocery stores I went to didn't carry them, and the last one only had two little (and under ripe) ones. I bought them because I've never tried persimmons before, but ended up buying two extra papayas to make up the difference. We'll see if that works out, and that we don't get sick of them. 

Behold below twenty-four pounds of oranges! These will come in handy for all sorts of dressings and juices and citrus soups and salads throughout the week. 

Pineapples! This is roughly 12 lbs. Did you know that if you cut the top off of a pineapple and flip it upside down (see below) that the fruit sugars travel down and distribute more evenly throughout the fruit, especially if it's a little overripe? True story. 

Okay, people. Please beware of my refrigerator. But here's where many of the greens and veggies are being stored, like:

Broccoli (1 lb)

Red Bell Peppers (1 lb)

Fennel (2 shoots)

Cabbage (2 lbs)

Tomatoes (2 lbs)

Cucumbers (4 lbs)

Butter Lettuce (2 lbs)

Spinach (2 lbs)

Romaine (9 lbs)

Celery (4 lbs)

Red leaf lettuce (1 lb)

Mixed greens (2lbs)

Below is what approximately 22 pounds of bananas looks like.  

What's not pictured but was also bought for the week:

Dates (5 lbs)

Walnuts 8oz 

Pine Nuts 8 oz

Almond slices 8 oz

Hemp seeds (4 TBS)

That about does it. The bill came to roughly $140 for all of this food, which is $40 over what I normally spend in a week. 

Our plan is to give this a try for seven days, and if it seems to be working well, we'll keep it up, especially for the duration of Lent. But we want to set realistic goals and go from there.

If you have any questions, feel free to send them our way via our email address, getdense@gmail.com, or simply comment below!

80/10/10

I had been meaning to get to this book, The 80/10/10 Diet by Dr. Douglas Graham for some time and finally did. And now that Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent and various traditions to change, give up something and reflect are upon us, my husband and I would like to give the regime a try.

But first, a review.  

The general premise of Dr. Graham's findings are predicated upon the paradigm of Natural Hygiene, or, the 'science of health.' From there he constructs an argument in favor of a raw vegan, high fruit, plant based diet where 80% of the calories come from carbohydrates, 10% from protein and the last 10% from fat.  

Why the ratio? All too often raw fooders fall into the trap of high fat foods such as nuts, seeds, and avocados, leaving would be health enthusiasts in a veritable slump, often reverting back to old, unhealthier eating habits. Also, he explains why excessive protein is damaging to our systems, giving way to potential health problems down the line. Graham posits that eating a higher raw carbohydrate ratio offers people an abundance of energy and potential for health and well-being, coupled with non food protocols of regular fresh air, sleep, sunshine and exercise.

Graham offers menus for the seasons with simple recipes and the freedom to explore what each individual might need to consume calorically based on weight and activity level.  Also, he doesn't shy away from the very real questions that plague raw enthusiasts and those simply striving to do better. He's honest, fair but forthright. 

While I don't agree with some of his rationales for why he thinks we are "meant" to be frugivores, because it simply isn't true (people eat non plants and are sustained), I don't disagree either. Put another way, I simply would rather be walked through the scientific implications and reactions of humans digesting animal flesh, grains, dairy and fruits over time, and definitely over and against comparing what we eat to apes or other animals. While interesting, it's not the strongest argument when there are animals of all stripes of their natural diets like horses, vultures, lions, sharks, etc. I think we can certainly learn about their digestive systems as a supportive enterprise for why human beings are unique, while making the strongest case that because we are unique, we are also set apart from other creatures. 

I think the other reason I wrestle with his paradigms is not because they aren't true, helpful or life changing, but the fact that we are born into a society and culture that is not on board. As someone who eats most of her daily food raw (50% or more), I've experienced the pitfalls he speaks about, and live in a community where people don't value Natural Hygiene like this, can't afford it, hate the idea of it and/or simply don't know what it is. Um, wait . . .who doesn't? 

But I can buy this:

"It is important to understand that foods don't heal us; the body does all the healing. Foods, cooked or raw, simply supply the materials the body uses to perform its various functions.  However, low fat raw vegan foods provide the widest range of high quality nutrients and are, therefore, more likely to furnish the perfect proportion of raw materials needed by the body for healing."Graham, p. 266

So, it is with some eagerness that my husband and I embark on a week long 80/10/10 winter menu plan starting Friday. Wish us luck. The task, it seems, is to make sure we're eating ENOUGH, as Dr. Graham overstates. How's that for Lenten disciplines...eat more, eat well!?!

We'll keep you posted. In the meantime, pick up this book and let us know what you think.