A rawpalaeo(ish) Christmas!

[TylerDurden]

OK, we are now approaching Christmas, and I am wondering how to celebrate Christmas these days, in a rawpalaeo way. In the past, I would just buy a whole, raw semi-organic turkey or a whole(semi-organic),raw goose and eat it raw, over time, with perhaps some extra stuffing(not cooked by me, but undoubtedly  pre-cooked before sale). On one occasion, I even bought some organic Christmas Pudding from Duchy Organics(the company owned by the Prince of Wales), however, I got violently sick for 2 days afterwards, despite that Christmas Pudding not having vegetable-oils or other highly processed stuff.

I am wondering what other people do , rawpalaeo-wise, for Christmas?  I think(?),  I read somewhere that the Poles use fish for Christmas instead, so some raw wildcaught fish might be fine. I am also considering using some brandy mixed with free-range raw eggs as a semi-rawpalaeo version of eggnog, as the latter contains hefty amounts of highly-processed dairy.

[djr_81]

I am wondering what other people do , rawpalaeo-wise, for Christmas?  I think(?),  I read somewhere that the Poles use fish for Christmas instead, so some raw wildcaught fish might be fine. I am also considering using some brandy mixed with free-range raw eggs as a semi-rawpalaeo version of eggnog, as the latter contains hefty amounts of highly-processed dairy.

While that's a good idea I'd personally be leery of the brandy as it's so distilled. If you do make it though try to source some duck eggs as the yolk is so much richer so should make a nicer final product. I'd also recommend separating the whites from the yolks and whipping them a bit then folding in as it'll be even creamier then.
I think a cold-mulled hard cider would be a great choice for a bit of indulging. Steep the spices in the cold/room temp cider for a couple days at least. Warm it up to 104* if you want it warm or just enjoy it room temp.

I don't know what I'm going to do. I've been dealing with the itchiness of a Candida flare-up since my indulgences at Thanksgiving so I'm going to leave carbs alone for the holiday. I'll probably eat a really fatty slab of brisket and have some of the seltzer I like later in the day. I'm also going to try and secure some more salmon roe as well.

[Hannibal]

I read somewhere that the Poles use fish for Christmas instead

Yes, that's a carp.
But it's deep fried before it is served on the Christmas Eve in Poland.

I am wondering what other people do , rawpalaeo-wise, for Christmas?  I think(?), 

Traditionally I go to my grandparents who live in a village; so do other family members.
These 3 days are not rawpaleo style, definitely.
But I try to eat the best I can.

[wodgina]

We have BBQ's and a seafood platter (it's hot here)

My family eats a lot of meat (incuding raw meat) my mum caters by buying thick steaks (cooked blue as we have friends over) and seafood including unshucked oysters. I got her on to this diet and she believes it's the only human diet which makes things easy...   Mum also has blueberries for us at christmas.

She also always keeps fatty raw mince to eat in the fridge too.

[yuli]

Wodgina you are lucky to have such a raw paleo positive family!

As for me it will be hard to remain all raw during the holidays so I think I will just strive for not eating any grains, sugars (other then plants) or processed foods and not worry about anything else till after the holidays - that will be easier.

By the way in Russian culture we never had turkey and stuffing either for xmas...we have a lot of meat dishes, meat pies, lots of salads like beet salad, potato salad, a large variety of cheeses and salami...cold meat salads (love those), salmon roe and many salted raw or smoked fish. Very tasty food indeed.

My parents both hate turkey and stuffing. My mom won't even touch that lol

[achillezzz]

yuli your russian!! lol hai
I hope to Christmas I eat raw meat a little bit to check if I wake up next morning and if yes I eat raw paleo for christmas after watching hanibal eating that cow head I got more confidence lol
But im getting closer raw eggs are like nothing now taste like jelly water no gag reflex when with lemon its like lemon  juice lol
Raw milk i'll boil it up a little bit then drink .

[RawZi]

Raw milk i'll boil it up a little bit then drink .

    Why boil it?  So it will still be grassfed?

    I'll follow this thread.  It will be good to get ideas for festivities.  Actually, I'm supposed to go to a xmas party tonight, and although half the people there are intrigued with my good quality raw meat, and it should be fun, I may just not go.

[yuli]

Aww you should go! Sometimes being social and around people is as good for us as it is eating well!
Who cares how healthy you are if you have to sit there by yourself with your lonely piece of raw meat lol
Sometimes I will sacrifice my diet slightly just to be social, I like the positive social experience, plus you can always get people more interested in healthier foods 
These occasions are not daily, so it's not a regular thing (its your daily diet that makes the biggest impact), if I was going to social occasions every day then I will have to impose my diet and/or start avoiding them (as a last resort), but once a month or so who gives a crap - anyway that my take on the whole social thing...

[Ioanna]

wodg, i love your mom!

[Hannibal]

Sometimes I will sacrifice my diet slightly just to be social, I like the positive social experience, plus you can always get people more interested in healthier foods    

I think exactly the same.
A few % of non-paleo food doesn't IMO matter

[Iguana]

The problem is that there's no linearity in the proportions of cooked non paleo food and the troubles (immediately apparent or not) it causes. By still eating 5% of cooked food, you don't eliminate 95% of the health troubles induced by cooking. A train with 100 axles won't be able to reach 95% of its top speed if it's got 5 axles derailed. Unfortunately it is somehow alike with food!

Still eating non raw paleo once in a way may keep the body in a state of tolerance, which means that no troubles will be noticed in the short term but it may well be dangerous in the long term. Experience shows it.  

Moreover, it's much easier to stick to raw paleo if you do it at 100%. Wouldn't you have difficulties in quit smoking or quit taking dope at 95%?

Think that there's more molecules in a crumb of bread than the total number of cells in our body.

Anyway, for me it's X-mas everyday with raw paleo! So nothing special for X-mas.

[TylerDurden]

I find I get minor issues after eating any non-rawpalaeo foods. I might feel slightly hung-over, the next day, as my body gets rid of the toxins from cooked foods(the hangover-like effect is worse if the stuff is junk food).However, these are minor issues and I only eat cooked foods, occasionally, for social reasons. I was far more vigilant during past years when I was still recovering from SAD diets, but now that I have gotten rid of former health-problems, I am not worried if I stray occasionally.

(AV claims that , in order to recover from health-problems at a reasonable speed, one should eat a diet consisting of at least 85 percent raw foods and up. I agree with him as regards people with serious health-problems).

[TylerDurden]

Well, I am also cheating with making confectionery-related things called "vanillekipferl" and "mohnkugeln" ready for christmas.  I will be having a raw goose , though, when the time comes, along with the usual raw stagmeat.

[Hannibal]

I will be having a raw goose , though, when the time comes, along with the usual raw stagmeat.

With your family?

[TylerDurden]

With your family?

They don't eat raw, but they tolerate my diet. Some are clearly surprised that I haven't died yet from food-poisoning or some other nonsense after all these years, but they don't make a fuss.

[raw-al]

Got this from an overweight SAD eater friend.

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS
1.   Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare... You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple , Pumpkin , Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day ?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand and wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"
Have a great holiday season !!

[riy freeman]

wow that person has diametrically opposite values

[raw-al]

A wee bit corny but...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5F6znBcktA