The first time I heard about the Raw Food lifestyle I knew my life was going to change. I realized before even tasting the food that I had discovered the optimal way of eating: fresh, organic, and nutrient-rich—what could be better?
I was at Fresno’s Revive Café, a local restaurant and market devoted entirely to all things Raw. I bit into their “Matt Burger” and I’m pretty sure my taste buds skipped a beat. My mind was opened and there was no turning back.
I returned to Revive as often as I could. I started scouring the web for any information I could find on Raw Food. The more I read, the more I was convinced that this was a change I needed to make. Eating Raw spoke directly to my ongoing concerns about vitamin deficiency and reliance on processed foods.
But adopting a Raw Food diet seemed like such a huge commitment. My mind was full of excuses. I was training for a marathon as well as a century cycling event and worried about maintaining energy levels. I’d been hitting the gym a lot and didn’t want a calorie or protein deficit to lead to muscle loss. What would I do when traveling or socializing with friends and family? As I’d tick through the schedule in my head looking for the perfect time to commit to going Raw new doubts would emerge.
The answer finally showed up in my Facebook feed. Kyal announced he was starting the Rawvive Reboot: 30 days of juicing and eating only Raw/vegan/organic foods. No exceptions! I watched excitedly as the first Rebooters committed and embarked on their Raw Food journey. As the second Reboot rolled around I went to the café for an orientation session. The reservations I had about working Raw Food into my life lingered, but by the end of the orientation I realized that there was never going to be a perfect time and that I’d never have the answers without making a commitment and experiencing it for myself.
An experience it was! The first week I ate almost exclusively at Revive. It felt a bit like cheating, but it kept me from craving non-raw foods. It also helped me realize the variety that was possible with Raw Food ingredients. I began paying more attention to the dishes I was ordering and started reverse-engineering them as I ate. I began collecting recipes from websites and blogs and accumulating a new stock of groceries. Finally, I began experimenting with Raw foods on my own. I took my microwave to the garage, overcame my aversion to the kitchen, and began creating delicious Raw meals at home. I fell in love with the process.
I quickly learned what would work for my body, my schedule and my life. The sacrifices and conflicts I had imagined before the Reboot turned out to be rewards in practice. I had more energy for my workouts, runs and rides. I maintained my muscle mass but lost 12 pounds I didn’t realize I had to lose. Out of town travel led to the discovery of great new (Raw Food) restaurants. I introduced family and friends to the food at Revive and prepared meals for them at home.
Eating Raw has touched every area of my life. I’ve lost weight, my blood pressure has dropped, and my skin is clearer. My mind is sharper, I’m more energetic and I sleep better at night. Even my social life has changed. I’ve met amazing people who share my concerns about food and the environment and a commitment to good health. As I told someone recently, “Raw Food attracts good people.”
By committing to the 30-day Rawvive Reboot I had no choice but to give myself over to my own Raw Food journey. At the end of the Reboot my questions were answered and my reservations gone. I no longer consider eating Raw a challenge, and I certainly don’t consider it a “diet.” It’s a part of my life and I haven’t eaten cooked food since.
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