Being Raw + Being Deployed to Iraq

[Cora Fowler]

Hey ya'll, haven't talk to any of you in a long time. (HI ASH! I MISS YOU!!)

Well, I'm deployed in Iraq right now and need some advice!

I want to be as Raw as I can while I'm here, and possibly start some good habits. The main problem here is, the fruit is limited and usually not that fresh. We have a nice chow hall, with plenty of food to choose from. (cooked, greasy food- of course!) I usually steer more towards the steamed veggies and baked lean chicken. On the salad bar they have the usual- iceberg lettuce (never any spinach! :[ ), olives, sliced bell peppers, some kind of tomatoe salad, shredded carrots, whole avocados (which are never good...) etc, etc. On the fruit side, they always have red+green apples, orange, peaches + nectarines (never good, always bad), pineapple in its own juice, pears (in corn syrup), mixed fruit (in syrup), diced mango (usually sour...), some type of melon and nuts. (roasted, of course)

So, I don't really have many choices. Can you ya'll give me some tips on how to improve my eating skills?

Thanks a lot ya'll!

PS- Be grateful for the fresh fruit you have in the states!!

[Linda Ann]

Wow, I think you just said how much you sacrifice for us. Can I send you fruit?

[Cora Fowler]

Sure. :) But- won't it go bad in the mail? I'd love to get mail! :)

[Bunny Berry]

Cora, it's too bad that they only have iceburg on the salad bar! Let me think about this one, but I'll get back to you.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Cora,

I'm in Saudi Arabia for three months--not in military but for work. It's too bad about the fruit, as we have so much here. I'm not sure if I can send you any from here.

Is it possible to ask the canteen to source local or Gulf foods rather than always American? Maybe a theme night once a week where they do middle eastern meza platters--tabouli would be great as an almost raw food, or fatoush. But maybe it's just very difficult to get anything into Iraq--no local produce?

How about trying something funky like cutting up the apples or pears into the salad greens and carrot and serving with the oranges squeezed on top. And just sacrifice it and add the roasted nuts so you feel like you're getting a little "crunch."

This is a tough problem!

Are the steamed veggies coming in fresh or frozen? If fresh, is it possible to ask someone in the kitchen to set aside something raw for you? Even if it was only a couple of nights a week, or one item a night, it would be better than always having steamed (and I'll bet these aren't lightly steamed).

[Bunny Berry]

While you're there, try not to look at the food on the chow line as "good" or "bad" food, try detaching any moral words from the food itself, and choose what is most nutrient rich. Make sure that MOST of the food you eat is rich in some vital nutrient, and you'll be making the best choices with what is available.

And the super foods idea is a good one, bitt. Some goji berries might do a soldier some good! :)

[amysue]

I think we need to know your address. Do you have a wish list??

[Linda Ann]

I agree, we should send you some food. Can we work something out?

[Cora Fowler]

Sure, ya'll want to send me a package? :)
We get mail twice a week, and takes about a week to get mail from the states (depending on weather)

Here it is:

SPC Cora Fowler
F TRP 1-230th
FOB Sykes
APO AE 09351

Ya'll are so sweet to go out of your way to do this for me.

Oh- new discovery today!! They have celery, sliced carrots and cucumbers too!! :)

[amysue]

Great news! When I get home next week I'll put something together, what are you missing??

[Nicole]

If we want to send you something from outside the USA, is the address the same/will it be accepted? Just want to make sure:-)

Cora Fowler said:

Sure, ya'll want to send me a package? :)
We get mail twice a week, and takes about a week to get mail from the states (depending on weather)

Here it is:

SPC Cora Fowler
F TRP 1-230th
FOB Sykes
APO AE 09351

Ya'll are so sweet to go out of your way to do this for me.

Oh- new discovery today!! They have celery, sliced carrots and cucumbers too!! :)

[Cindy]

Thank you for posting. My heart goes out to you. I know the food there is not high quality.

If it was me, I think I'd really sort of meditate and visualize white light around the food thinking the words "love" or "thank you" and I would really stay as body-mind centered/calm as possible like with breathing and this might sound weird but it's really a good way to get really connected to your body. You just notice your weight in the chair, like if one side of your butt is heavier--you just notice your butt in the chair, feet on floor and clothing pressure as a way to stay connected to your body in a sensory-balanced way-- and also all the sensations of contact like with the floor and edges of your skin. (You can get more advanced with this such as spanning perceptual field out from yourself but write me later if this interests you.)

The reasons I would do this are they are part of a training I took as a practitioner in a somatic resourcing. They are specific ways to settle and calm your nervous system. The first part about saying "thank you" is based from "Hidden Messages of Water" by the Japanese researcher, can't recall his name at the moment.

THese are ways to send positive vibrations to your food that you do have available. Like you said, make the best choice you can make at each meal depending what is available on the line. I would chew my food very very well and that will also make sure your saliva will break it down for you.

I will also send loving prayerful thoughts your way asking the Universe to send you higher quality produce. ;)

I really appreciate you writing and have tried to send helpful suggestions. Please feel free to email me sealove954 AT gmail Dot com anytime. My daughter is trying to get the computer now. Also, please don't ever ever judge yourself or berate yourself for food choices you must make in these circumstances. Thank you for serving in Iraq.

You are an amazing person that is clear and I send you best wishes.

I think that eating mindfully and making your highest choices while in the spirit of gratitude is the best you can do. My hope is you stay encouraged and that also the Universe sends you some nice treats soon! *hugs*

cindy

[Cora Fowler]

Thank you all for your sweet and mindful responses.
The only restrictions we have here, is no alcohol and nothing flammable. :)

The address can be used anywhere in the world, and I will still get it. :)

I'm about to head out for lunch- i'll let yall know what i eat!
I think i'm gonna open my eyes a little more and do some more
exploring of the cafe, maybe i'll find some nice surprises.