What's New with Ju? A Raw Plant-Based Lifestyle

Back Story

For the last 4 ½ years, I have been following a plant-based eating lifestyle. When I first started, I dove in cold turkey, from a paleo to an alkaline diet. Some may say that that is drastic, but the truth is that I stalked the alkaline way of eating for a year before making the transition. I have a habit of stopping myself from doing things, so I tend to go all in for whatever I am striving to do. I was part of a Facebook group that taught me how plants heal the body and benefit us.

At the time, I still struggled with raw food allergies with most nuts, certain fruits, and veggies. I could only eat most of those things when they were cooked through. I was enticed to learn as much information as I could. I gain enough knowledge to trust myself to make the change.

After a year of eating that way, a few things happened within my body. I lost weight, my immune system strengthened, most of my food allergies reversed, and my vision stayed the same when I went to the eye doctor.

Over time following an alkaline diet, I got comfortable and would eat certain foods that would cause my body inflammation. I believe in having balance, but you must be careful because all balance may not benefit you. What do I mean by that? I would eat foods that were not alkaline, and it would cause inflammation and cause excess mucus in my body. I would keep it to a minimum, like once a week, by calling it "treating myself." Still, I was undoing everything that benefited my body throughout the week. Plus, that mindset caused me to lose consistency.

After the Pandemic

In January 2021, I decided that it was time to get renewed because I fell off my game. You are probably wondering what happened during the pandemic. Well, here is what happened. I stayed active through hiking and walking trails but did not do any strength training, which my body thrives for. My hydration could have been better. My body overheated, my feet were cold, and I gained weight. I had a habit of gaining and losing weight, so I knew I could get the weight off, but I got stuck in a cycle and had to face myself to ask why. The truth was that I did not believe that I could get past 200 lbs, and I didn't feel worthy enough to deserve more for myself. I found myself pushing people forward and helping them navigate their health journey, but I was stuck, stagnant, and sick of it.

After having that complicated conversation with myself, I signed up for a coaching program for the exercise. I didn't follow the rest because the belief systems of the program differed and needed to align with mine. I tracked my food consumption to see how much I consumed every day and learned that I was not eating enough carbs, so I ate more carb fruits, beans, and bean kinds of pasta.

Around March, it started getting warmer outside, so I craved more hydrating foods. I was already eating salad throughout the week, but I started making smoothie bowls as meals. I would get creative with the food toppings, which was refreshing. Eventually, my body began to adjust to receiving more raw plant-based foods and held me accountable for it too.

Around this time, my cousin ate a raw plant-based diet to heal her body. Hopefully, you will hear her testimony one day. I was visiting North Carolina to look for a place to live, and she told me she was eating more raw plant foods and fewer cooked meals. I was okay with that because I was used to eating dense salads and smoothie bowls. I am grateful because we were able to support each other during this time. We didn't struggle with it, but things naturally flowed because we were on the same page and had similar goals. We did eat cooked food here and there, but it was mostly raw. It was within 3-4 cooked meals in a week. Now, my cooked meals per week are reduced to about 2-3 meals a week. During the winter, I did have more cooked food. It was a comfortable thing, biologically, in the cold season.

Eating this way and noticed a few changes in my body.

• My energy levels are high.
• I am more hydrated.
• My skin glows with minimal to no breakouts.
• I am tuned in to listening to what my body needs.
• I am experiencing more with different fruits and vegetables.
• I gained more of an appreciation for God's food.
• My gut health improved.
• I am hearing the Holy Spirit clearer.
• I am trusting myself more.
• My thoughts are more precise, I am more focused, and my thoughts are rational.
• Due to clearer thoughts, I am healing more effectively mentally and emotionally.
• I am more inclined to eat raw plants than boiled, fried, or charred plants.

It has been over a year now to eat this way. I still eat alkaline, but about 75% of the time because I allow myself more options within God's foods. I pay attention to what foods give my mucus and keep those to a minimum.

What Do I Eat?

I eat God's food. They are fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains. The legumes and grains should be sprouted for the best digestion, but I am not there yet. I have some ways to go and look forward to sharing with you along the way.

What is Keeping Me Eating This Way?

The benefits are encouraging me to continue to eat this way.

• Nutrient sufficient!
• Wholesome and nontoxic!
• Encourages moderate eating & a sense of satiety.
• Requires little energy for digestion and conserves the body's energy.
• Serves to eliminate the "food hangover!"
• Enhances emotional balance.
• Enhances the building of energy, strength & endurance!
• Serves to "disease-proof" the body!
• Helps to rejuvenate the body & spirit for 10-20 years or more.
• Promotes the pursuit of happiness and makes living a longer, healthier life possible.

Conclusion

Being plant-based was not always a part of my journey, but it is where I ended up. It has helped me grow into a healthier self mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.

Regardless of how you eat now, remember that you can incorporate these foods into your diet and make it a lifestyle. It doesn't have to look like how I am doing it. If you want to heal, it is best to eat this way for a season and go from there to how you are led moving forward.

Be blessed and be encouraged.

👉🏾 Leave any questions or comments down below!