Carol Patton

  Why did you investigate raw foods?

Sometimes it takes a very intense experience to change one's food habits. About a month ago, I ate some sugared granola with nuts and molasses and had a very severe reaction to it. I felt like I was going crazy for about 2-3 hours. My whole body contracted and I paced around the house for a long time. I remember wanting to find relief by piercing the tips of my fingers to "let something escape". The only way I could quiet myself down was to spin around until I was exhausted. For the first time in my life, I experienced what mental illness must be like. I finally asked my husband to help me and as I began to talk about what was happening to me, I had a panic attack. I couldn t get air in or out. After this experience, I started to really understand that food is a drug and sugar is a particularly dangerous drug for me.

Were you inspired by a person to eat raw foods?

From 1977 to 1989, I was a vegetarian, but I ate mostly cooked foods. I was very anemic and tired all the time and when I moved to California, I began to eat fish and chicken in hopes that I might begin to feel better. I was recently inspired to eat raw foods when I saw Juliano on television. The food he was making looked so amazing and he looked so amazing! I checked out his book called "Raw" and the recipes looked delicious. It would have been hard for me to eat 100% fresh and raw in the Midwest, but here in sunny California, I think it's more do-able.

Were you unhappy or sick?

I have never really had high energy or felt really great, even as a child. I would experience many out of control food cravings that would lead to overeating. I almost always had bloating and fatigue after a meal. I don't have any serious diseases, but I ve been getting increasingly more tired since I reached my mid forties.

How are you trying raw foods?

I have one or two glasses of raw fruit or veggie juice per day and a big raw salad. I m looking into getting a better juicer (I have an old Champion) and perhaps a food dehydrator. I miss crunchy things and also smooth, pudding-like textures. I love chickpea spread. I think with more recipes, I will be content to be 85% or even 100% raw. I would also like to grow sprouts. I used to grow alfalfa sprouts very simple to do and yummy!

How has it made you feel?

As I begin to eat more fresh raw fruits and veggies, I have noticed that getting up is easier and my head is clearer. I was assuming that my memory was going because of my age (53), but I m thinking a lot clearer lately so I think it has more to do with diet than age.

How has it affected your life? What are your plans and hopes for the future?

It s only been 3 weeks, but I m feeling hopeful that I will continue to improve and feel more energy over time.

Is there something you'd like to say?

The spiritual path I was on required me to be a vegetarian. I gave up meat, fish, fowl, eggs and jello overnight. This time, I feel like I want to listen to my body very carefully and allow it to tell me what it wants.

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