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Posts: 78
11/22/09 8:09 A

I do not know if my advise might be of help. Russia is a large country and in every part of this country there are different eating habits.
You write that you have been to Russia before, so you have an idea what is awaiting you. Russians want you to feel good and want to offer whatever they can.
First: Do explain that several weeks ago you began to eat raw and that you feel soooooooo great. That you did not feel like this when you ate cooked food." Second: There are many foods you can eat. I only can give examples:
The Land of CAVIAR. A wonderful food. High in protein and lots of nutrients. Even though you are near to be vegan, this is super-food. and it is raw.
Hard boiled eggs: Not raw. But dare to eat them.
There will always be apples and apple mousse. - Very okay for us raw foodists.
A cream filled Charlotte: Come on! Why not make a tiny exception. Would be sad to miss it.
Mushrooms - dried and used to cook. 0% fat, high in protein.
Bread, cookies and cakes: I say that I am allergic to grain products and that I really would feel bad would I eat some. From that moment on, you will not be offered any of it. And if: Just shake your head and say: "I may not. But, thank you." Except the Christmas cake .... you eat little bite and then say that you do not dare to eat more of it.
Sausages: They are not as bad as you might think.
Usually "Kraut" (this is a German word) is served with the sausages. Eat more of that and say how wonderful it is.
Beets: Say, you love beets and if you couldn't have some of it raw.

Being a clean and raw food eater of many years, I would me much less afraid to go to Russia as to the US.
Have a wonderful time in Russia

Posts: 19,883
11/21/09 8:04 A

I have put them into coconut milk, for coconut kefir, so I'm positive you can do that, BUT, they must be returned to a milk containing lactose, because that is what they eat. If you don't want the kefir they make from milk, you could give it to your dog or toss out (seems such a waste). Milk where I live is 1.99 a gallon (WA State) you can also use powdered milk, what ever is cheapest since you won't be consuming the product hence taste would not be a consideration.

SparkPoints: (106,189)
Fitness Minutes: (98,055)
Posts: 18,544
11/21/09 12:31 A

I was familiar with kefir when I was younger but was under the assumption it was always dairy-based. Do you know if kefir can be grown using a Vegan nut-milk like almond milk or a seed milk like hemp milk?

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Posts: 19,883
11/20/09 11:39 P

I think "Kefir" would be of help, that what I use, some info: www.midvalleyvu.com/Kefir.html

I just plop a grain into a glass of milk, the day it's a glass of kefir. People who live near me come by for grains all the time, I have a blog of my own here: kitsapkefir.blogspot.com/

And here is a list of people worldwide willing to share their grains with their neighbors:
www.torontoadvisors.com/Kefir/kefir-list.p
hp

Posts: 3,144
11/15/09 7:56 P

Thanks for posting the enzyme info! Used to take HCL and it does help lots.

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Posts: 171
11/13/09 8:02 P

That sounds like a plan!

I LOVE spirulina, its a great nutritional super food.

Love Goji berries too, you'll be pretty close to Goji Land, maybe you can pick up a bunch at a much better price than in the states?

Enjoy and be safe

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Posts: 2
11/13/09 1:42 P

Thank you everyone for your great advice! I will buy some digestive enzymes, them Iīm also thinking about buying two containers of spirulina, and tobring some dried goji berries which I really love. Wish me luck!

Posts: 171
11/12/09 10:20 P

Thank you for these... one of the hardest problems ive encountered is the difference in "energy" when I consume cooked foods... and as much as Im trying to remain 100% raw, its been a challenge in this cold weather.

If the "feeling" is there, I think I can build on that.

Thanks again...

PS. great also for the kids like you suggested. Woohoo!

current weight: 186.8

225 207.5 190 172.5

155

SparkPoints: (106,189)
Fitness Minutes: (98,055)
Posts: 18,544
11/12/09 10:14 P

On the enzymes?

I used to take this one:
www.vitaminworld.com/pages/file.asp?xs=854
01E66BC574319A8D85B6AAE3DDE4E&PID=423&
CID=218&CPID=830

Now I am using this one:
naturalwellness.com/index.php/200-ct-bottl
es.html

They both seem to work. My kids use them far more than I because they are more frequently faced with cooked foods like at school or friends' homes.

In addition, I love Super Green Formula for the Nutritional boost packed in a little capsule. That and sea vegetables are probably about the best foods available with sprouts coming in a close second.

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Posts: 171
11/12/09 9:55 P

Terje,

Great advice... can you elaborate... what brand etc?

current weight: 186.8

225 207.5 190 172.5

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Posts: 213
11/12/09 10:54 A

Just a couple of thoughts. You could try to pack some dehydrated stuff to bring with you. 2 months is a good while, but you could sit and try to figure out a few weeks of snacks and stuff. Also try to find out what the price and availability of produce that may be there, whether it citrus or kale or onions etc... and try to preplan some ideas around that. Dont worry about what others think, they are thinking from there own perspective, and people have to change the way they eat, even for medical purposes all of the time. Also there is sprouting, where you can buy a bag of lentils and grow your own food in a jar covered with cheese cloth and snack on thoses all day!

Best wishes

SparkPoints: (106,189)
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Posts: 18,544
11/12/09 10:12 A

I'd say set your expectations such that you are consuming some raw foods at each meal but are not 100% raw. I'd also bring some digestive enzymes for those cooked meals. Have you tried those? When I take them, my body acts as if I have been 100% raw all day. Definitely worth the effort.

Then, find a market nearby and buy some produce that you like. Have that around and you will always have something raw to add to a meal.

Since you will be there such a long time, you might consider bring the tools needed to growing sprouts. Takes up very little space in a suitcase but raw sprouts are so incredibly wonderful, they can fix almost any cooked food disaster.

Most important, have fun. Enjoy your time with friends and family and don't sweat the food more than needed.

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Posts: 2
11/12/09 10:06 A

Hey Everyone! I havenīt introduced myself yet, but I have been lurking around these forums for a while. I have been following a raw food diet for 16 days now and so far Iīm loving it! I have been vegan for a few months already. Well I have a big problem. I am going to Russia for 2 months over christmas and new year and I will be staying at a friends house. The problems are many. First of all she is living with her mom and I donīt know how to explain to them that I only eat raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, she would probably think Iīm crazy. I remember when I was there last time and just being a vegetarian was a big problem and noone understood it. And also this will be the winter with about -30 degrees celsius outside! And what about holiday meals etc... I really donīt want to mess this up because I am feeling so great, and my depression is gone, and I just donīt want to gain all the weight back and become depressed:( I donīt expect to follow a 100% raw diet there as that would be extremely difficult, but I at least want to be vegan and try to eat as much fruits and veggies as I can (she definitely doesnīt have a blender or a juicer, and probably there will not be so much variety of fruits and veggies because it is the winter)

Sorry about how long this post is, I just really need all your help and advice I can get!

p.s (it doesnīt bother me to eat raw in cold weather as I am already living in Iceland)