Task at hand - Raw diet trial...or 'too many bullet points in one post'

So here is the history and notes on my current diet:

• Spent last 3 years and change converting myself to a healthy diet. Going from SAD (standard American diet), to something a bit more easy on the bod. Numerous health problems for years drove the change, now a better mental balance maintains it
• No wheat, gluten, eggs, or soy at this point in the meal plans. Part of this due to trial and error, other parts testing positive for an allergy. GF for going on 22 months now, egg and soy free for 6 months or so.
• Also I avoid all artificial products, additives, all that jazz, and focus on simple natural items. I cook 99% of my food from scratch, and when I eat out, its usually pretty simple 'good for ya' grub.
• Progress was good on my health improvements, but has stalled. Now that I know what effect food has on me, I know I can get even further. I would also love to test the mental benefits many folks tout when switching to raw

So here is the plan:

• Include more raw foods into my diet, monitor progress
• Week 1 - all breakfasts 100% raw
• Week 2 - all lunch and snacks 100% raw
• Week 3 - If all is going well, begin 100% raw for 30 days trial
• Raw food focus will be on veggies and greens, with fruits making up small portion. Fat percentages to be determined as I see what my body does.
  
• During first two weeks, research, research, research. Set up meal plans, recipes, and keep plenty of food on hand at all times. Set myself up for success

All in all, this should not be too hard of a task. My breakfasts are tough now, because of the lack of eggs and wheat, so going to make green shakes with maybe some fruit for snacks and that actually might be easier then usual. My morning snack is usually yogurt and fruit, so might find a resource for raw milk and start making my own yogurt (always wanted to do this, its very easy). My afternoon snacks are usually cut up fresh raw veggies already, and nuts (which I will just make sure are raw). So the first week I am not too worried about. My biggest issue is going to be to see what balance of fats and carbohydrates works for me. I lean on the side of having issues with too many sugars (systemic candida) plus I don't exercise a lot, so likely will start with less fruits.

Outcome hopes:

• Improvement on health issues - chronic back and muscle pain, skin rashes, fatigue, gastric problems, chronic skin breakouts, yeast imbalances.....ect ect.
  
• Improvement on mental balance - concentration and focus issues mostly, possibly keep depression cycles at bay
  
• Improved energy levels, and ease of workout motivation
  
• Maybe lose a couple pounds, although, I really am within 5lbs of my ideal weight, so not overly concerned with that
• Be able to deal with stress better - this time of year at work is very hectic, and wears down everyone
• Finally, maybe find a complete solution to all the physical ailments that have plagued me for 15 plus years, my younger brother now for several years, and now my much younger sister who is already showing the start of similar issues about the same time I did.
  

Possible complications - solutions:

• Letting work stress and time interfere with my planning and consistency. I will need to shop often and pre-plan meals and outings. Always have emergency supplies on hand.
  
• Becoming too repetitive, need to make sure to mix it up with new recipes and options. Try new foods along the way.
• Husband is not doing trial with me, which is why dinner is the last item I will convert. My goal will be to make some dinners where I can eat very similar to him, but possibly have him grill some fish or chicken to go with his portion. Otherwise I will have on hand easy items for him to cook, and will help him as much as possible during the 30 day trial. If I decide to extend the raw diet beyond that, will discuss long term solution with him that both parties are happy with (dinner duty has been mine for a long time, in order to keep support with my frequent changes, best not to rock the boat all at once).
• Friends, family, and coworkers tend to find my eating habits already 'odd', so my plan is to not discuss my changes unless asked, or until the 30 day 100% raw trial is complete. Having successful proof of my improvements always makes these conversations easier. For some reason the general population seems to take offense to the fact that I challenge the food pushed on us by large corporations, which I find the reactions intriguing, but not something I care to focus in on during a large change.
  

So I am syked. I am going to use this blog to keep track of everything. I hope it will help me stay on top of my goals, and at the same time give me a way to look back and monitor problems or improvements. My goal is to post at minimum once a day a summary of what I have eaten, and my current physical and mental notes for the day. I haven't decided how technical I will be with the data, might change that as I see what is useful and what is not.

Lets see how it goes........