This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
—the Dalai Lama

This Journey is Mine, and Mine Alone…

I apologize if I seem to promote the raw food lifestyle as if it’s the best thing for everyone. I realize that we are all on our personal journeys.

In my own, I have tried many diets to help me lose weight and stay healthy. And, I know many people who don’t subscribe to a raw vegan diet because it is either too foreign to them, or they believe it’s not a healthy diet.

I can respect that….

From my own personal experience, and after experimenting over the years, I’ve simply found that a raw vegan diet can help me lower my blood pressure more effectively and quickly than any other diet outside of fasting. If it still didn’t work for me, then it’s not the diet itself but what I was including in the diet, or not including in it.

I’ve realized that even if a diet is raw vegan, it doesn’t make it healthy per se. One could eat too many bananas or too many avocados. Even on a raw food diet, it can be unbalanced. With any kind of diet, variety is the spice of life.

Learning To Understand The Realities of My Being

But regardless, I’ve realized that periodic fasting plus a “healthy” raw vegan diet can improve my own health and vitality. The results show in my performance levels as a musician, drummer, pianist, etc… as a human being.

I’ve also realized that within my raw vegan diet I can “fine tune” it to help me lower my blood pressure. There is a direct correlation with health and vitality and the notion that “we are what we eat”.

Also, how much we eat….

Right now I’m trying to graze more throughout the day rather than eat huge meals like I had been doing. For someone who is prone to high triglyceride levels in the blood, it seems that is the best strategy for me.

Blood Chemistry versus The Raw Food Diet

Because I am raw vegan I have no problems with my cholesterol levels. They are relatively low now at 170 and 43.

My triglyceride levels were more than 310+ which my doctor says is in the relatively high risk zone. Problems that may occur due to high triglyceride levels would be the risk of stroke or heart disease, kidney failure, or even pancreatitus.

So, whatever I am doing for my diet, it is out of necessity and not because I am pushing an agenda or trying to promote the raw vegan cause.

I stopped eating animal foods when my doctor told me I can have 1 serving of fish or seafood in a week. No chicken, meats, etc. But just 1 serving of fish or seafood per week!

That led me to the decision long ago to become a vegan. Then I read of the benefits of going raw, not just health-wise but energy-wise too. I don’t think it’s a placebo effect. A raw vegan diet can definitely (and effectively) boost one’s energy levels.

Right now I feel very healthy. And I seem to be on the right path, for my own personal journey… hopefully, I can stay disciplined enough to continue to improve and experience a healthy life…. and a healthy lifestyle.

I have realized that without our supreme health we simply can not experience life to the fullest. We will always have some hindrance because of health issues. And that is why I continue to strive in what I do.

The Philosophy of Kindness…

Anyway, getting back to the true purpose of this post… promoting the philosophy of kindness. For the world is cruel, but only because we are possibly no connecting in more positive ways… we are lacking in compassion, understanding, etc… and we just all need to focus on our mindset. Because mind and body are one… and making our world a better place to live starts with our “selves”…

I know I need to be more kind to others. No matter how they treat me, or whether they understand me or not. It all begins with a smile and an act of kindness.

Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future, is the newest of the many books written by raw food guru, David Wolfe, on the “raw experience”.

The new book is due to be released on April 28, 2009.

Considered by many in the raw food world as one of the leading authorities on raw foods, David Wolfe has been a proponent for the raw food lifestyle and natural healthy living for more than 14 years. He has a Masters degree in food nutrition and Bachelors degrees in Science and Mechanical Engineering.

A Reference Book on the Top 10 Superfoods

I recently received my “review copy” of Superfoods from David Wolfe’s publisher, North Atlantic Books, and I must say that, having browsed through the entire book, I feel this will be the definitive reference on superfoods.

The Top 10 Superfoods

Excerpt from the Editorial Review at Amazon.com

Superfoods are vibrant, nutritionally dense foods that have recently become widely available and which offer tremendous dietary and healing potential. In this lively, illustrated overview, well-known raw-foods guru David Wolfe profiles delicious and incredibly nutritious plant products such as goji berries, hempseed, cacao beans (raw chocolate), maca, spirulina, bee products, and a host of others. As powerful sources of clean protein, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, good fats and oils, essential fatty and amino acids, and other nutrients, they represent a uniquely promising piece of the nutritional puzzle.

This accessible guide presents persuasive arguments, based on sound science, for the pivotal role of superfoods in promoting nutritional excellence, health and well-being, beauty enhancement, sustainable agriculture, and the transformation of diet, lifestyle, and planet.

What I like so far about the book is the organization. The book covers the Top 10 Superfoods on the planet, and devotes a chapter to each. In addition, each chapter devoted to a given superfood covers a lot of ground… history, cultivation, the essential ingredients that make each food a superfood. Also, there are recipes in each chapter that feature that superfood, starting from simple recipes to more elaborate and complex ones.

Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future will likely be an essential addition to your raw food reference library!

. . . .

“Is there anyone more passionate, dedicated, or knowledgeable about the tremendous benefits of superfoods to our bodies, minds, and planet? Not likely. Wherever you are in terms of what goes in your mouth, David Wolfe presents a compelling claim to add a little more vitality to your plate.”
—Angela Bassett, actress and author

“David Wolfe has written a brilliant, wisdom-filled, illuminating book that is essential reading for everyone interested in reaching optimal health! Superfoods are indeed the food of the future for a healthier world.”
—Patricia Bragg, N.D., Ph.D., author and health crusader

“Anyone who is ready to experiment with this class of foods can grab this book and get a complete overview of not only what a superfood is, but how one can effectively use them in their personal diet… The information in this book is absolutely complete.”
—Raw Food Right Now

Sorry folks. I have been neglecting this site lately, mainly because of the following reasons:

1. I’m frantically preparing my taxes right now because I have an appointment with my accountant this Friday.

2. Have been concentrating on marketing and promoting and musical groups I am currently performing with.

3. I’ve been doing a lot of other work online to pay some bills and save up for some studio recording equipment (I plan to record at home).

Anyway, I’m back, somewhat. But plan on being “more” focused on this site in the next week or two.

I thank you for visiting this site and for your continued support…

The Joy of Cashew Milk, & Other Absurdities

Regular people must think us raw foodies are totally on the fringe when it comes to diet and lifestyle. I mean, to turn your back on hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza?

Are you nuts!?!

Well, frankly… yes! I eat plenty of them now… nuts, that is!

But when people come home from work feeling tired and fatigued, they blame it on the job, or the stress, or getting through an hour’s worth of traffic.

They don’t consider that food could be the problem causing their tiredness and fatigue. Or the lack of certain foods.

I have this theory that, unless you go totally raw… and I mean, like TOTALLY raw, your simple NOT going to feel the benefits, that amazing “euphoria” you get when adopting (and adapting to) a 100% raw food lifestyle!

You see, the more processed, refined, chemically enhanced foods that go into your system, the more YOUR body has to work on handling all the toxins and junk that come with that food. And the less nutrients your body gets, the more it struggles with eliminating the poisonous stuffs, and less time rejuvenating and healing the body.

Enzymes, which are abundant in raw foods, are the stuff that helps metabolize food and is vital for the body’s maintenance and healing. Cooking simply destroys much of those important enzymes, AND cooks and steams away all that vital water… overall the body just has a tough time and thus…

…feeling tired, fatigued, low on energy and less vitality.

Major Relapse For The Sake of Culture and Heritage

Last year in June, after coming home from the Philippines after attending a funeral there, I was feeling extremely fatigued and had no energy whatsoever to even do simple tasks. I thought I had chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The reality concerning my fatigue wasn’t really the stress because of a death in the family, although naturally that would be a big blow to anyone. I think it was the simple fact that (for the two and a half weeks I was there in the Philippines) my diet had changed from a “high raw” vegan to a total omnivore.

Talk about absurdities…

I really let myself go, and that is my big confession for the year 2008. But I guess a part of me was saying, “Well, you’re back in the homeland now, so you have to experience the food, it’s a part of the culture”!

Today I’m still on my raw food journey and approaching day 100. When that happens I don’t know what will happen. Maybe, I’ll revert to a 75-90% raw diet (but most definitely vegan), maybe I’ll continue to be 100% on my own… or maybe I’ll go on a long juice fast, or feast.

We’ll see how that goes in a couple of weeks…. :o)

So, what has this article have to do with cashew milk? Well, nothing really. It just sounded good at the time, but actually, I’ve been loving cashew milk in my raw cacao smoothies! It is amazing and different than almond or walnut milk. And definitely blends well with the cacao, in my humble opinion…

The photo above is simply flax crackers with some fresh homemade salsa. I’ve been getting into salsa this past week. Eating it with jicama slices, flax crackers, kale chips. It’s quite refreshing!

My 100% Raw Food Journey

I have been so busy with a LOT of different things in my life, I’ve been neglecting this site and haven’t been keeping track of my daily raw food intake!

But, I assure you that it’s been pretty much the same faire. I’m usually pretty consistent with what I eat, perhaps to a fault. I need to eat a bit more variety. But for the most part I think I’m eating a well-rounded diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.

I do, however want to make sure I post something for Day 75, as I think this is a milestone, and that I have completed 3/4 of my intended 100 day goal.

A Few Quick Notes

Jicama slices and salsa give me *cough cough* gaseous problems. Perhaps too much fiber?

I love cashew milk with my cacao banana smoothies!

When I was having an energy slowdown and possible “detox symptoms”, I was eating almost all fruits and vegetables. Nuts and seeds can be used effectively to reduce the negative effects of the detoxification process.

A Little Bit of Energy Slowdown

Earlier this week I had a slowdown in energy levels. But, at the same time I was really pushing the envelope, if you will. The good thing is that my sleeping habits have improved considerably! My wife calls me the windup doll, because I’m usually going strong throughout the day, but at around 9pm, maybe 10pm… I just start significantly running out of steam. Y’know, like those little toddlers that run around all day, then just fall asleep wherever they were last seen playing?

That’s been me. And one good thing about going raw is that it has cured my insomnia.

Focusing On Inches, Not Weight

Other than that I’ve been feeling pretty good. And I think I’ve lost more weight because regular clothes I’ve been wearing have been quite loose. And pants I couldn’t fit into before, I can now fit into just right!

I never weigh myself, though. And this is just a personal thing. If I get to the point where I have to weight myself every morning, I can mentally set myself up for failure. Weight can fluctuate throughout the week because of water intake, not necessarily calories. So, I am going strictly by how the clothes feel and how I look. And I’ve reduced at least 2-3 inches from my waist size, so there’s definitely an improvement there.

So, not really looking at weight. Just to look good, and to actually perform better on drums and piano. So, I must definitely make sure I’m getting enough food throughout the day!

Food Intake - Day 75

Breakfast

• 1 - small avocado
• 1 - small glass of acai juice

Mid-Morning

• 1 - cacao banana smoothie (with cashew milk, spirulina)
• 1 - small glass of acai juice

Lunch

• 1 - cacao banana smoothie (with cashew milk, spirulina)
• 1 - mostly sprout salad (with lettuce, chard, frisee, raddichio, sprouts, olives, artichoke hearts, salsa with oil and vinegar)

Mid-Afternoon

• 6 - flax crackers
• 6 - kale crackers
• 1 - half cup of garlic dip

Dinner (projected)

• 1 - large salad (with lettuce, chard, frisee, raddichio, spinach, olives, sprouts, tomatoes, avocado with oil and vinegar)
• 5 - flax crackers
• 1 - half cup of walnut dip
• 1 - glass of red wine

The above photo is just another one of my BLT open face sandwiches that I’ve been into lately, simply because I’m enthusiastic about being able to make raw cashew mayonnaise!

Day 69 finds me not my best today…

And I skipped writing about what I ate yesterday, but pretty much ate the same foods as today.

I think I’m either:

• 1. Going through a “detox” phase.
• 2. I’m just a bit frustrated that I don’t have a dehydrator and can’t really afford one just yet.

Matt Amsden’s Famous Onion Bread

So, I was trying to make that onion bread from Matt Amsden’s RAWvolution book and letting the stuff dehydrate in near my kitchen’s south facing window. It’s an experiment so far and we’ll see how it goes. Apparently, it takes more than 24 hours to actual dehydrate the bread so that it’s ready for consumption.

A Bit of Frustration

But I’m frustrated when others around me can’t share in my joys of being a raw vegan. And for that, even though I thank all my fellow raw vegans who support me online, it’s just tough when you’re always exposed to the doubters and critics. It can make it a very lonely life in real life.

Anyway, here is today’s raw diary so far:

Breakfast

• 1 - raw cacao banana smoothie (with spirulina)
• 1 - tangerine
• 1 - avocado

Lunch

• 1 - plate of “finger foods” (olive on raw mayo and a cucumber slice)
• 1 - cup of fresh salsa

Dinner

• 1 - medium salad (lettuces, spinach, sprouts, tomatoes, olives, in oil and red wine vinegar)
• 1 - raw cacao banana smoothie (with spirulina)

. . . .

About The Above Photo

This simple sandwich includes: broccoli sprouts, lettuce, tomato, avocado and onion on top of raw cashew mayonnaise and a slice of raw bread.

The raw bread was purchased from Whole Foods, and it’s called "Sunflower Seed Bread" by Lydia’s Organics.

The raw cashew mayonnaise recipe was from Amie’s Amiable Cuisine blog.

Also in the photo: a shot of cashew milk, some tangerine slices, flax crackers and grapes.

Superfoods

First off… don’t care for superfoods? Then read, “10 Ways to Ruin Your Health and Die Young”, then come back and read this article.

A while back I wrote a post entitled, The Best Superfoods, with the intention of creating a list of foods considered healthy enough (by many nutritionists) to be classified as “superfoods”.

In this post I’ll be concentrating on superfoods that can be eaten raw, or usually come in dried or powder form. In other words, my focus will be on superfoods that are suitable for raw foodists, foods packed with an amazing array of nutrients, amino acids and other beneficial ingredients.

What is a superfood?

Here are a few definitions worth noting:

• A superfood is a natural food source that is highly concentrated with a complex supply of quality nutrients… —TheNibble.com
• A superfood is a type of food believed to have health benefits beyond those of more common foods due to specific phytonutrient content. —Wikipedia.org
• A superfood is a food rich in phytochemicals, which are special chemicals that have been noted to have disease-fighting properties. Phytochemicals can reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer, reduce inflammation, strengthen the immune system, or in some other way contribute to a person being healthier. —WiseGeek.com

Why eat superfoods? The short answer

The simple answer? Because superfoods are healthier for you than say, a Big Mac or a bag of potato chips.

Why eat superfoods? The in-depth answer

People interested in improving their health, boosting peak performance in sports, etc… (or simply wanting to improve their overall sense of well-being), can benefit substantially by eating foods that provide the most nutrients and life-enhancing properties. And this is where the whole concept of eating superfoods makes sense.

Incidentally, most (if not all) superfoods CAN be eaten in their raw, natural state. In fact, it makes perfect sense to eat superfoods raw for a couple of really good reasons:

• Important enzymes necessary for proper digestion and cellular functions can be destroyed during the cooking process. Thus, eating these superfoods in their raw state can be more beneficial.
• Research has shown that eating foods raw is so much easier on the entire digestive process.

That said, let’s take a look at our list of 9 essential raw superfoods.

. . . .

9 Essential Raw Superfoods For Optimum Health

• 1 - Aloe Vera

  Aloe Vera has long been used as a healing agent, for cuts, burns and eczema. It also has softening qualities that make it useful in keeping the skin and facial complexion soft and youthful. Taken as a juice or extract mixed with water, Aloe Vera is good for cleansing the digestive tract and as an over-all tonic.

  Aloe will purify the blood and liver as well as soothe the colon and help heal ulcers, colitis, and hemorrhoids. Due to its strong effects in cleansing the liver, pregnant women and young children should not take aloe vera internally.

• 2 - Goji Berries

  Goji Berries have a long history in Chinese Medicine as a wonder food. Here are some of the nutritional benefits of Goji Berries: Contains the 8 essential amino acids (a total of 18 amino acids), 21 trace minerals (the main ones being zinc, iron, copper, calcium, germanium, selenium, and phosphorus), also contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, and vitamin E, and Goji Berries contain about 11 mg of iron per 100 grams, beta-sisterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%). It’s no wonder that this superfood has garnered so much attention among Raw Foodists. Goji Berries are probably the most essential on this list!

• 3 - Cacao Beans (Raw Cacao Powder)

  Chocoholics like myself can rejoice at the fact that we can be raw vegan and still have our chocolate! The combination of raw cacao powder (with a natural sweetener like raw agave nectar) can be made into a delicious smoothie of pure heaven. Not only that, cacao beans are a rich source of Magnesium, a mineral chronically lacking in the Standard American Diet (SAD).

  A neurotransmitter called anandamide, has been isolated in cacao. Anandamide is also produced naturally in the brain. Anandamide is known as “The Bliss Chemical” because it is released while we are feeling great.

• 4 - Seaweed (Kelp)

  Seaweed is a superfood that has been a large part of Japanese Cuisine for centuries, whether in miso soup, salads or as sushi nori. The dried or granularized form is available to Raw Foodists. Seaweed is an “especially rich source of potassium, iron, iodine, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and dietary fiber, and also contain a natural substance, glutamic acid, that enhances flavor and tenderizes fibrous foods.”

• 5 - Spirulina (Blue-Green Algae)

  Spirulina is a form of Blue-Green Algae that is composed of mostly protein (65% and more). It usually comes as a supplement in tablet form.

  Spirulina is the world’s highest known plant-source of vitamin B-12 and also includes vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6, E, K, chlorophyll, cell salts, phytonutrients, and enzymes. The ancient Aztecs thrived on Spirulina from Lake Texcoco in Mexico.

• 6 - Broccoli

  If you’re only going to eat one vegetable, make sure it’s broccoli. Some experts say it is the one vegetable that contains the most nutrients and is a rich source of soluble fiber.

  It is high in vitamin C and soluble fiber and contains the multiple nutrients with potent anti-cancer properties including diindolylmethane and selenium

• 7 - Blueberries

  Blueberries “contain anthocyanins, other antioxidant pigments and other phytochemicals which may have a role in reducing the risks of some diseases, including cancers.” In addition to an abundance of anitoxidants, blueberries help to lower cholesterol levels, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Blueberries are also rich in Manganese and Vitamin K.

• 8 - Maca

  Originating from Peru and Incan cultures, Maca “is a superfood-food-herb with an outstanding ability to increase energy, endurance and strength. Maca is a favorite of raw-foodists, vegetarians, adventurers, extreme athletes, dessert chefs and food alchemists.”

• 9 - Avocado

  Avocados have recently been getting attention as a “new” superfood. Once criticized for its high fat content, avocados are now being recommended for its healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, which lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol. And avocados are also high in fiber (40%), has a high percentage of potassium, magnesium, folate, antioxidants, and also contains vitamins C, B, E and K. Recent studies have shown that avocados help the body absorb more nutrients from other foods. And like olives, avocados are being regarded as a “beautifying”, “anti-aging” food.

The Need for Superfoods

Incidentally, the above superfoods are best eaten in their raw, natural state to get the most benefits from their enzymes and nutrients. Having a larger percentage of these superfoods in your diet can make the difference between feeling okay and feeling wonderful.

And this wraps up my list of 9 Essential Raw Superfoods.

[ This article was re-written and re-posted ]

For Further Reading

10 Superfoods For Age-Defying Beauty
Superfoods 101
David Wolfe’s Sunfood Nutrition
Superfoods Thought To Prevent Disease and Increase Longevity

So, this week I’ve been making cashew milk and I must say that I love the smell and the taste, especially when used with my cacao banana smoothies!

Between almond, walnut and cashew milks, I definitely like the cashew milk the best, followed by walnut milk, then almond milk.

Worried About The Energy

So, today I had so much energy, and I was quick on my feet and very mentally alert. It sort of worried me. Would I come down from this “high”?

“The important thing is not to stop questioning.”
—Albert Einstein

I’m hoping that the combination of raw cacao and raw salads will balance out, because I can surely feel the energy that comes from eating raw salads now. My mind and body are very sensitive to the effects of the raw foods, it seems…

Fantastic Raw Cashew Mayonnaise

Today I made my first batch of raw cashew mayonnaise (recipe courtesy of Amie). I randomly did searches on Google for “raw mayonnaise” and the “raw cashew mayonnaise” caught my eye.

Now I have a raw mayo that I can use with my raw BLT sandwiches!

Day 66

Breakfast

• 1 - raw cacao banana smoothie (w/spirulina)
• 1 - small avocado
• 1 - tangerine

Mid-Morning

• 1 - small salad (lettuces, spinach, sunflower sprouts, olives, tomatoes, cilantro, dill and basil with oil and vinegar)

Lunch

• 1 - raw cacao banana smoothie (w/spirulina)
• 1 - small avocado
• 1 - tangerine

Mid-Afternoon

• 1 - open-face BLT sandwich (w/raw mayo, onion, tomato, lettuce, broccoli sprouts and avocado on 1 slice of raw bread)

Dinner

• 1 - open-face BLT sandwich (w/raw mayo, onion, tomato, lettuce, broccoli sprouts and avocado on 1 slice of raw bread)
• 3 - flax crackers
• 1 - shot of cashew milk
• 1 - bunch of grapes

Notes:

“Make [food] simple and let things taste of what they are.”
—Curnonsky (Maurice Edmond Sailland)

Felt extremely good today. Euphoric. Perhaps the Spirulina I’ve been recently adding to my raw cacao banana smoothies?

Also, I still have to take down my Christmas tree, decorations and lights!

Anyway, it’s better late than never to start this diary for 2009, so here we go…

The Beginning

Just a quick recap…

I’ve been on a 100% Raw Vegan Journey since November 10, 2008. Some folks are calling it a challenge and I’ll admit it can be. But, after more than 60 days of being 100% raw, it’s not really a challenge at all. It IS more of a lifestyle change toward a more positive transformation.

Now I had been a vegan since the mid-1990s, but there were times when I had a relapse and reverted back to eating animal foods. But despite my failures I always got back on track. It’s just hard when you are the only vegetarian amongst a meat eating family, and friends.

Sailing Away on A Raw Food Journey

But people started accepting my way of life, and in August of 2005 I embarked on a “high raw” vegan diet. And for the most part I have been successful. However, it is only recently since I went 100% raw that I have felt the best I’ve ever felt in my life! And I seem to have lots of energy to burn.

So, here we are… this time, I’m documenting what I am eating and how each day’s worth of food is making me feel. It’s all about improvement and steady progression to find the perfect balance of eating healthy raw, organic, wholesome foods.

Day 65

Breakfast

• 1 - cup raw cacao banana smoothie
• 1 - tangerine

Mid-Morning

• 1 - small salad (spinach, lettuces, radicchio, sunflower sprouts, dill, olives, and basil with cold pressed olive oil and red wine vinegar)
• 1 - small bacon avocado

Lunch

• 1 - bunch of kale crisps (with fresh salsa)
• 3 - flax crackers (with garlic dip)
• 1 - tall glass raw cacao banana smoothie (with spirulina and blueberries)

Mid-Afternoon

• 1 - handful of raw olives
• 1 - small avocado
• 1 - glass juiced cantalope

Dinner

• 1 - large salad (lettuces, radicchio, frisee, spinach, olives, sunflower sprouts, tomatoes, dill, cilantro and basil with oil and red wine vinegar)
• 1 - shot of cantalope juice
• 1 - small avocado
• 3 - kale crackers with garlic dip
• 1 - raw cacao banana smoothie

Notes:

I had a LOT of energy today. I was feeling very good. And the foods I ate seemed quite a bit today, but it didn’t slow me down at all. Even after a big dinner I’m still very alert and working on the computer.

I just had an epiphany regarding diet and exercise. You can force yourself to exercise all you want to, to burn calories, but if you don’t eat an extremely healthy diet rich with organic, raw produce, then you’re just going to be fighting exercise every step of the way. Because it’s harder to exercise and perform efficiently if your not getting an abundance of nutrients to give you that energy to go.

It would seem that a raw diet of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds would provide tons of nutrients and an abundance of enzymes to help the body to perform its best… and it would just be a cycle that is more positive. Plus, raw foods are digested more easily and assimilated into the body faster so that the body doesn’t have to work harder.

I’m also thinking about the whole concept of energy. Running for 30 minutes on a treadmill in a gym, versus going on a 2 hour hike through the mountains or a walk along the beach. Eating a raw vegan diet is making me more aware about how I expend my energy.

Anyway, Day 65 feels very good today!

I’ve done this a few times before, jotting down any random thoughts on being a raw vegan.

Things I’ve Realized About Being Raw

• I LOVE Avocados!
• After 3 years of being mostly raw vegan, I still don’t own an Excalibur Dehydrator or a Vitamix Blender.
• I also LOVE olives!
• Whenever I eat a high fat raw meal, like with nut dips and nut dishes, I still feel sleepy afterwards and it DOES slow me down.
• Fresh, raw, organic salads always get my energy up, up, up!!! Never fails.
• A combination of olives, basil, cilantro, dill, radicchio, and sunflower sprouts make for an amazing taste, when added to salads.
• Raw salads seem to give me more “get-up-and-go” energy than raw cacao banana smoothies.
• I still LOVE raw cacao banana smoothies, and now mix Spirulina tablets regularly into my smoothies.
• Just started getting into raw, dried dulce flakes. A great sea vegetable that can be added to salads.
• It’s so easy to sprout sunflower seeds.
• It’s definitely a good idea to start the morning off with a glass of water. I like to mix in a tablespoon of Aloe Vera juice.
• Adding Aloe Vera juice to your smoothies and juices is wonderful, and Aloe Vera has a very rejuvenating effect on the body. And is great for the complexion.
• A smoothie is an excellent way to start the morning.
• I used to hate eating salads. Now I eat at least 2 salads a day, and make sure there are a lot of greens.
• I find I don’t like the green smoothies so much, perhaps because I’m already eating enough salads.
• My energy level seems to have gone up 50% since going 100% raw. I’d like to say my energy level went up 100% but I’m just being conservative at this point.
• My digestion problems in the past, are now completely gone!

59 Days at 100% Raw

After almost 60 days of being 100% raw vegan, I have realized that I was making a choice, and a commitment to myself to become more healthy and thus improve the quality of my life.

Of course, when I didn’t care about my health and ate whatever I wanted to without any thought to the consequences, I was making a choice too.

In the end we do what we have to do in order to survive. But it’s also a survival trait to seek out the knowledge you need in order to survive and have the quality of life one deserves.

But many times, though our intentions are sincere, we might not be doing the best things for ourselves, nor eating the best food. And many of us struggle through life trying to improve ourselves. Trying to lose weight and boost our energy levels, yet not really knowing how to go about it. Or we are trying too hard at one thing and not enough at another.

A raw food lifestyle is about getting healthy, boosting our energy, and feeling extremely great. It’s about getting back to a more natural way of life that’s closer to nature. Having said that, I’ve listed below 7 very good reasons for going raw. I hope you find them useful, just as I did.

7 Powerful Reasons To Eat Raw

• 1. Lose Weight Easily While Eating More Healthy
  It’s a fact that going raw will give you a better chance at losing weight than any other diet, because you’re getting more nutrition minus the excess, empty calories! Natural, raw, organic fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts pack plenty of nutritients while being lower in calories than non-raw vegan foods.
• 2. Look and Feel Younger Than Your Age
  People who adopt a raw food diet begin to feel more youthful and their complexion clears up. Many have gotten “the glow” and look more radiant. In fact, a raw food diet has the ability to rejuvenate and heal the body.
• 3. Improve Your Health and Help Eliminate Chronic Ailments
  Many people afflicted with chronic ailments and diseases tend to move naturally toward a more raw diet in order to help their bodies rejuvenate and heal. Our bodies become inefficient as we age and have a harder time utilizing important enzymes that restore bodily functions and help to digest foods. Raw plant foods have an abundance of enzymes in its natural state, so eating more enzyme rich plant foods will help the body to heal and rejuvenate when sick. It has been proven that raw foods aid in proper digestion because of its high fiber and water content!

Enzymes

“Enzymes are substances that make life possible. They are needed for every chemical reaction that takes place in the human body. No mineral, vitamin, or hormone can do any work without enzymes. Our bodies, all our organs, tissues, and cells are run by metabolic enzymes.” —Dr. Edward Howell, Enzyme Nutrition

• 4. Gain More Energy, Clarity and Focus
  Many people adopting a raw food diet experience increased amounts of energy. Some seem to gain seemingly unlimited amounts of energy and at the same time don’t require as much sleep. But not only will the body experience more energy, the mind will become more alert and focused, with improved clarity.
• 5. Help The Environment and The Planet
  A concern for the planet and its resources is another big factor why people choose to become a raw vegan. With meat alone, more square mileage of land is wasted to feed cattle so that we can have beef and hamburgers! The land would be of more use if it were used to grow crops for us humans instead.
• 6. Clean and Detoxify The Body Naturally
  Eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables will help your body naturally detoxify itself. Our bodies are in a constant mode of healing and rejuvenating itself. Of all the foods on the planet, only raw organic wholesome foods will do the best job.
• 7. Beautify Yourself From The Inside Out
  Many people put cucumber slices on their eyes, or avocado on their face to improve their complexion. But eating cucumbers and avocados will also help improve and beautify your appearance. Seek out the many raw foodies who are eating a healthy raw vegan diet and they will have a radiance about them. Their “auras” shine and they’ve got that “glow” people associate with the raw food diet, and going raw can truly make you beautiful from the inside out.

Further Reading