Raw Food for Mental Health

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Comment by Sock on November 15, 2012 at 1:07am

soulsparkled - i like your words a lot!  it is nice thinking of it like how you will always have your self. maybe that could be frustrating at times, and maybe the fact that we may be frustrated with our self is indicative that we should get real about how we are living our life with that fact.  and we should improve our relationship with our self (i'm reminded instantly of some eckhart tolle words that talk about "why do you have to have a relationship with your self? can you drop that identity of self" paraphrased.)  i do ultimately like that "i hold the key" and i do know that SO much of what i do is thru this mental filter, it definitely feels like a viewfinder. the exact same situation feels terrible one day, or one moment, and spectacular another.  often i just dont know how to turn the viewfinder, how to achieve that positive, or clear, (or whatever it is) scope.

thanx for your words, they really hit home with me.

Comment by SoulSparkled on November 14, 2012 at 7:32pm

Sometimes the last thing we want is 'advice, opinions or suggestions'.. we just want to be heard, or just plain be!... It sounds like you are staying positive by really recognising your efforts and enjoying your body more.

There is a saying that I remember often, oddly enough from a Jackson song that says 'where-ever you go, there you will be'... It might sound plain, but my interpretation of this is more hopeful.

It reminds me that I can try and search everywhere else for the answers, or distract myself from the deeper issues for only yet a time.. because there is no escape ultimately from me.. I have learned to be my friend rather than enemy from this.

No matter what place we might be at, surrounded in supportive others or alone to wander our thoughts.. we have ourselves. We can at times be our worst enemy yes, but we can also be our own best friend and encourager. We are left with ourselves at the end of the day, but that is not a bad thing.

It reminds me that I can take in advice galore' but in the end I hold the key - because .... I hold the choice to empower myself..... You have the choice to empower yourself. What this might look like is varied.

It sounds like you are doing a great job practicing empowering yourself.

It won't be easy, and it will never be perfect but it does not have to be.

We might go in circles, and at times feel a little crazy, but at the end we have ourselves.. and it is a beautiful thing that we do - it sounds like you are taking charge to empower yourself one bit at a time and one way of doing that is also loving yourself and being able to enjoy your own company.

Enjoy the moments that you can, and try not to punish yourself over failure. Mistakes are a part of growth and some of us are more introverted and 'in our heads' than others so be aware of your triggers and take gentle care to nurture these areas.

Take opportunities to enjoy using your creativity inside your mind and draw from your hopes and loves, and as you say - using art, nutrition, and simple things to help you draw out of your head so that you can be more in your body. Things that get you out of your head and more in your body like movement, time in nature and building or creating things can also help here.

Continue to empower yourself...!

Comment by Sock on November 13, 2012 at 6:01am

cowgirlfrommars-thanx, yesterday i actually did deal with intense cooked cravings by going to committing to go to a grocery store and get a bunch of bananas. I had it in my mind to eat just one, and then see how I felt.  I could still then digest the banana quickly and go eat cooked food, in my mind. But as I ate one, I ate another, then finished the whole bunch and felt great that I ate bananas instead of pizza or something.  I will notice my brain not wanting to eat a banana or something good for me first because then I wont be hungry and I cant eat the cooked food i crave.  I have since worked thru such a craving twice, and it went from this impossible slave like feeling to a very accomplished, content feeling of being in the right.  I like it.  But it's really hard for me.  I do try all the time reassuring myself of the countless reasons to eat fruit instead of a burrito.  I have eaten 811 style for the past week, every day, and my decaying tooth has cleared up, my gums are pinker and i have no plaque on my teeth, or at least a lot less.  And my diarrhea cleared up, and I have generally felt amazing.  However, despite so much good, undeniable benefits, the cooked food cravings are POWERFUL, so very POWERFUL!  I am the same with physical activity and art - both are extremely crucial, and I definitely need to simply make time and space for them, particularly the art as of late, which has been lacking and eating me up.  Thanx SO much for all your advice!  I really value it.

Same too to Soulsparked - thanx for the linx, i'm about to listen to one of the ones you sent.  I'll probly give feedback on it and be curious about stuff and want to pick your brain.  And staying out of my head - when it's easy, its easy. And when I cant, it is insanely frustrating and is annoying to think of JUST staying out of my head, because it doesnt feel very easy to do at all.  It does seem at times, all advice, all practices seem to go out the window and I get trapped inside my head. My only solace is that it will pass. Often all the analyzing, "being there totally" or whatever I might try just feels like a heap of advice that I frustrates me all the further... I feel like this is likely typical stuff, but that's my experience.  Sometimes I describe this stuff to people and they comment about how "it's common" - which doesn't really help at all.  I already can guess that it's common, but whether it is or isn't, it's an experience that I am having and any reassurances that I'm not alone don't always help.  Sometimes they do, but sometimes they feel invalidating.  Then I start freaking out; "Do I have an ego complex, do i secretly want to be special and stand out!!!" ha ha. blah blah blah

Comment by SoulSparkled on November 8, 2012 at 7:48pm

Ever wonder why you revert to a particular way of functioning when you feel 'secure' vs 'insecure', why you might be more of a 'thinker' than a 'feeling' person, or why you just can't figure yourself or others you know out!?! Well, check out the personality quiz here: It can be quite enlightening.. just to get started at least...

 http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html

Comment by SoulSparkled on November 8, 2012 at 7:44pm

oh and one more thing, we have the most amount of stress hormone (cortisol) in our bodies in the morning from the day before. I've heard it recommended that one hour of exercise each morning can do wonders to reduce this and clear it out from the body... Give it a go next time you get the chance, I know it sure helps me with the inevitable stressors of life. The body and your mind will thank you.

Comment by SoulSparkled on November 8, 2012 at 7:42pm

VALUED DIRECTED ACTION:!!!! Huh... you say/.\\

Why do I mention this>??

WELL ----

Valued action is about taking action towards what is most important to you, what you value and what you desire in life. An approach to life like this doesn't mean no pain, it doesn't mean emotional perfection... it doesn't mean that you won't suffer some anxieties walking toward your direction life directions but it DOES mean that you get closer to your core values.  To see more check out 'the happiness trap' and Russ Harris free resources http://www.thehappinesstrap.com/free_resources

These changes of our life directions and values fluctuate and grow as we do... and walking towards that which you value, like raw veganism, might be one step at a time, maybe even a few back, and a few more forward again but none the less will bring you some life fulfilment because you are taking action toward that which you most desire and value at your core.

Happiness can be quite mis-understood... it's not an absence of pain but an appreciation of what is good.. it is also definitely rejoicing in the learnings! It's great to hear that is what some of you are doing here in this group and website!

Lately I've been a critic, of myself. We all can be.. so even more so in times like these can we remind ourselves of our hearts desires, brush off the dust and keep on walking.. in our desired direction (one munch of an apple a time even!)

Sock' i love to hear that you 'play' with that critic voice, it's sure helps it to lighten up and therefore be challenged safely and transformed just as your fruity choices help to transform your body.

Remember the mind is like a muscle, it can change one thought at a time. A great example of this is 'the brain that changes itself' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3TQopnNXBU&noredirect=1

General things that can boost seratonin in the brain (feel good chemical), and are the vegan way include cashews, walnuts, WATER, bananas, greens (and green smoothies at that), oats.

Keep in mind that happiness is not the absence of struggle, but it is walking towards the life that you most value.. we need each other to lean on and a fresh reminder of the positive messages that sometimes we forget to share with ourselves. Choose an affirmation that you will wake up to every morning and pursue the life you desire...

Peace to you.

Comment by Cowgirlfrommars on November 8, 2012 at 12:36pm

Ah no need to be bummed--I'm not.  Although, the bp mess has destroyed my life many times over, it has, if nothing else, made me a more compassionate and (surprisingly) cheerful person.

Yeah, I definitely used to get a boost from the B complex, but as long as I'm taking it regularly it doesn't have that effect.  Which I would guess, is because I'm not walking around in a deficient state.

The way I found most helpful to smother those cravings was to determine what quality it was of that food that I really wanted/needed, and identify a plant food that would satisfy that want.  I'd make a deal with myself saying "ok, have this plant food first, and if you still want that thing you craved so much, then go for it".  Nearly every time, the craving disappeared after having my "approved" food.  When you hear those "You WILL NOT be happy..." messages, can you replace them with an "I WILL be happy if I have this banana" statement?

Usually, I toss the flax and/or chia in a smoothie.  Chia is great in juice as well.  Oh and you can make salad dressings with say some some lightly soaked chia, citrus and fresh herbs.

Yes, yes, stay out of your head.  It's not always a good place to hang out.  Physical activity of any kind and art(ish) projects usually helped me at least a little bit.

:-)

Comment by Sock on November 8, 2012 at 12:11pm

Hey cowgirlfrommars, that is mega awesome to hear - it's that weird paradox where i'm bummed to hear that another is struggling mentally, but stoked to connect, feel validated, and get discussion going.  that's interesting, as far as your supplements go. I've experimented with sooo many different ones, been stoked for a day or week on some, felt nothing on others. I once noticed a surge from a bcomplex vitamin and once from a b12 supplement, but only right away, like the first time or first few times.  I think i'm gonna stick with a consistent 811 way of eating with no supplementation and see how it treats me.  I havent been consistent with it thus so far, becuz i keep succumbing to INTENSE cravings, like mental messages that say "You WILL NOT be happy unless you eat a sub from subway!" or something, ha ha! I laugh at it, cuz i need to, and becuz i can right now, but it overwhelms me and i hate it!  Oh yeah also the chia and flax - curious how you use them, like in what foods/dishes.  Thanx so much for your words, I am really needing support/connection with some of the things going on in my head - i get trapped in my head and it's bad for me - so talking and connecting is super awesome.

Comment by Cowgirlfrommars on November 8, 2012 at 6:49am

Hi Sock,

I've been dealing with the same "stuff" (plus migraines and ADD) since about third grade.  For the first time ever I've been completely symptom free for seven+ months.  I don't pretend diet is the sole reason I'm in such good shape now, but I'm a firm believer that a clean, nutrient dense diet allows my meds to be more effective.  For me, breakfast and lunch are 811 and dinner is often cooked gluten free plant based. Plus, I avoid anything with high glutamic acid content which means MSG, nutritional yeast, any yeasts used for flavoring, and large amounts of mushrooms and seaweed--from the ridiculous amount of reading I've done on current drug developments and brain chemistry I believe this is extremely important whether one has a noticeable reaction to those items or not.  I do supplement with a liquid B complex and magnesium.  I'm also particular to get in a decent amount of flax and chia.  I'm pretty much convinced that those of us with these challenges may need more of those than people without.

Happy you found this group!

Comment by Sock on November 8, 2012 at 5:58am

I am really excited to see that there is a mental health group!  I am excite to see things written about food not "solving it all."  I struggle with bipolar/anxiety/depression stuff, and the 811 way helps me a ton with it, but isn't the "answer."  I'm super eager to talk with folks who struggle with eating 811 style or eating healthy/being healthy in general and how to stay motivated.  I definitely wonder a lot "what's the point?  I should just enjoy my food more" and will fall back to junk food.  I also struggle with having a particular, needy way of eating - it is much easier being vegan like i have for 10 years and having cooked vegan options, but just fruit and salads feels ultimately amazing and i love doing my own thing, but krappy when i feel like i am "in the way" or too needy or something.  I dont think this all the time, but when i do i doubt 811. 

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