I'm definitely going back to the Raw Food Diet. Tonight I've stayed in due to the snow packed roads and I was goofing off on youtube and came across a documentary on Raw Food called Health Junkies. I highly recommend watching it, especially if you know little to no information about the diet. My plan is to start after Christmas, I made it 17+ days last time on only raw foods, and I'm sure I can do it again. Next week it's raw food and colonics! I hope you ladies have a wonderful Christmas!

Its been a struggle losing the 10lbs I've gained over the summer. I've been living with my boyfriend since May and he has not been thrilled to take on my extremely healthy eating habits. Our fridge and cabinets are not filled with healthy treats and too many times I've given into temptation. I don't know what to do. I've always lived with my vegan sister and we only kept healthy food in our apartment. Now I have chips, muffins, candy, pies..etc all around me! What's even worse is that he's 6'2, 185lbs-190lbs and he can pretty much eat anything he wants and stay lean. I'm 5'3 and you can definitely tell when I've gained even a few pounds (or I can tell at least). I'm not going to give up, but I know a few things have to change. I miss my days of having nothing but veggies, grains, lean meats and fruit.  

Since chocolate is fatal and I can never have a small snack size, I've switched to raw carob powder. I have to say that I like it better than chocolate! It has a chocolatey, earthy taste to it, with less sugar than chocolate and it's filling. I've been putting the carob powder in smoothies, coffee and just mixing it with a cup of almond milk for a late night snack. I'll provide everyone who's interested in it a little information about carob. *Side note* I've been on the Raw Food Diet for a week now and I'm down 5lbs, 5 away from my goal weight of 110lbs! I hope you ladies are doing well, if you need more info on the Raw Food Diet look at my previous posts :o)

Alternative to chocolate
           
Carob has rightly been coined the healthy alternative to chocolate. As most of us are now aware, carob is free from the stimulants caffeine and theobromine found in chocolate. It is also naturally sweet, so carob products will generally contain substantially less sugar than their chocolate counterparts.  Carob powder can be substituted for cocoa powder in any recipe.  Carob is also available in bars, drops and in confectionery.

Advantages of Carob over Chocolate
           
Carob is free from caffeine and theobromine which can be addictive and can cause allergies. Caffeine and theobromine are stimulants. Caffeine is the most active and works directly on the brain stimulating the senses, inspiration and alertness. It can be transmitted through breast milk and pregnant women are advised to restrict their caffeine intake. Caffeine has analgesic properties but also has side-effects such as anxiety, nervousness, nausea, and palpitations. Caffeine not only stimulates the brain and other organs but also increases the heart rate. It can provoke emotional reactions. It stimulates the gastric juices and acts as a diuretic and so can cause excess loss of the water soluble vitamins B & C. Caffeine stimulates release of the body's stored energy reserves, meaning that sugars are released into the blood. This can increase the risk of diabetes and possibly obesity and can cause mood swings.

How much do it eat?
           
Commonly, 15 grams of carob powder is mixed with applesauce for children. Adults should take at least 20 grams a day. The powder can be mixed in applesauce or with sweet potatoes. Carob should be taken with plenty of water. Please note that infant diarrhea must be monitored by a health care professional and that proper hydration with a high electrolyte fluid is critical during acute diarrhea.  Carob is free from phenylethylamine which can trigger migraines.  It is free fromamine which can trigger migraines and allergic reactions.

Nutritional Information            
Carob is up to 8% protein and contains vitamins A, B, B2, B3 and D. It is also high in calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium and contains iron, manganese, barium, copper and nickel. However, it should of course only be eaten in moderation alongside a balanced diet.  It has no oxalic acid which prevents the body using calcium and zinc. These minerals are vital to a healthy skin and the presence of oxalic acid in chocolate may be connected to the onset of spottiness noticed by some teenagers on the consumption of larger amounts of chocolate.

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/rawcarob.html