Do you have to be 100% RAW to receive all of the health benefits?
My answer is unequivocally NO! I have recently attended a RAW food nutrition certification program and it was very apparent from those who were attending and those who were teaching that consuming a 100% RAW diet is not for everyone. You will receive the benefits of consuming more whole food, uncooked vegetables and fruits, sprouted and soaked nuts and seeds when you choose them instead of processed foods. I can assist you if your desire is to maintain a 100% RAW vegetarian diet. I can also assist you if you’re looking for ideas on just increasing these types of food into your life. My philosophy is to work towards making you feel successful!
Diets are frustrating! I don’t want to go on another diet which I can’t maintain. How is this different?
I agree! Diets are frustrating because they are usually based on lack and limitations which makes you naturally want to rebel against them. I teach you how to eat without feeling deprived. You’ll learn how to have fats, sweet and salty treats in your world without guilt! I live what I teach and I love the fact that once you learn all the secrets to living a this type of lifestyle, you will never diet again!!!
What are the benefits of eating a whole-food, plant-based diet?
Your body has a special power. It can heal itself of many, many ailments when given the right type of fuel. A whole-food, plant-based or RAW diet is rich in minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients, chlorophyll and essential fatty acids. All of these elements are necessary to keep the body engaged in it’s high-energy functions to repair tissue, rebuild muscle and skeleton and all of the other incredible processes the body requires. I’ve had clients report an increase in energy, athletic performance, cleared thinking, relief from menopause symptoms, rebuilt immune system and the list goes on and on.
Raw calories are easier to digest then cooked ones. Your body will be free to work on many healing aspects after eating a RAW meal because the energy required to digest this food is minimal. Vitamins which would have been cooked away are now free to neutralize free radicals in your body, which minimize their damage. Once people embrace this type of eating they report that they actually look and feel years younger.
One of the biggest benefits from a natural plant-foods diet is it’s ability to lower excess sugar and fats in the body. There have been numerous studies which have supported this diet in controlling insulin resistance and heart disease.
Where do you get your protein from a whole-food, plant-based diet?
You can receive more than an adequate amount of protein from whole natural plant foods. Protein requirements in our country have increased because most people eat cooked or processed proteins, which actually decrease the bioavailability of many essential amino acids (which are the building blocks of protein). So, the protein requirements have increased to make up for this loss. If you are eating an abundance of uncooked, unprocessed food, you do NOT need to consume extra protein to make up for the losses that occur as a result of cooking and processing.
There are numerous examples of top athletes in many fields who eat vegetarian, vegan and raw food diets.
I have a really busy week–I don’t even have 30 minutes most weekdays! Are there any raw food dishes I can make in advance?
Almond milk, salad dressings, patés (dips made from soaked nuts and seeds) and desserts all keep for five days in the refrigerator.
Are there books you would recommend which can help me build my confidence in preparing RAW food and provide great recipes.
I admit I have invested in many RAW books and I usually read them cover to cover. After reviewing all kinds of RAW books and online recipe sites, I was inspired to create my own recipe book for the person who is just getting started. My GO RAW-Recipes to Get You Started! book is my collection of the recipe I have used over and over again. There are many foods we eat on a daily basis that can be substituted easily for a healthy, raw version. My Granola on the GO is incredible as both a morning food and afternoon snack. The Taco Meat recipe is so simple and makes a quick and satisfying meal. I’ve included juices, salad dressings, and desserts.
You don’t need a lot of fancy, hard to find ingredients to begin eating a RAW food diet. The recipes in my book are tasty with instructions which are clear and easy to understand.
I admire the work of Jennifer Cornbleet and would recommend her book, RAW Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 people. It’s also great for the beginner.
One of my favorite books which does a great job helping people transition to more RAW food is Natalia Rose’s The RAW Food Detox Diet.
One of my favorite cookbook, which has supplied so many of my favorite recipes is The RAW FOOD Revolution Diet, by Cherie Soria. Cherie is the owner of The Living Light Culinary Institute and a wonderful chef! About 1/3 of the recipes in this book, take RAW food preparation to the next level and I would not recommend this as your first book. It does belong in your collection if you are ready to embrace RAW living as an everyday lifestyle.
What is the importance of enzymes in the raw food diet?
Enzymes help “digest” or break down raw foods. For example, when fruits ripen, their enzymes change starches into simple sugars (which is why unripe fruit isn’t as sweet). Raw fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds contain the enzymes necessary to complete the digestion process. (The enzymes in nuts and seeds are activated through soaking them.) The importance of food enzymes in the diet is currently a subject of debate among nutritionists. What we do know is that enzymes are the most heat sensitive of all nutrients, destroyed at temperatures above 118 degrees. More and more research suggests that eating high-enzyme foods aids digestion, and that our bodies can recycle many of the enzymes in food, which means less depletion of its own store of enzymes. Eating an enzyme-rich diet is thought to increase vitality and slow the aging process.
Is the raw food diet high in fat, with all those nuts, seeds, and avocados?
There are good fats and bad fats. The bad fats include trans-fats, saturated animal fat, and refined polyunsaturated fats, such as the fat in refined cooking oils. The “good fats” are all the raw ones: the mono-unsaturated fats, present in avocados, almonds, and olive oil; Omega-3 fatty acids, present in hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts; and medium-chain saturated fatty acids, present in coconut and coconut oil. True, you don’t want to eat too much fat of any kind, but as long as you are getting enough fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, and not overeating, you don’t have to worry about including the good fats in your diet.
Is the raw food diet expensive?
When you make easy recipes, the raw food diet is less expensive than the Standard American Diet. True, organic fruits and vegetables cost more than conventional ones, but they are still cheaper than meat, dairy products, and processed foods. And even if organic fruits and vegetables do cost more money, the benefits to your health will save you money in the long run.
I don’t like the taste of green leafy vegetables. What can I do to disguise them?
The easiest way to eat more greens is to blend them into a delicious fruit smoothie. Here is an example: 1/2 orange, 1/2 banana, 1/2 cup blueberries, 2 leaves kale, and water to thin. Another example: 1/2 cup pineapple, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup spinach, and water to thin. You won’t even notice the greens.
How can I stick to a raw food diet in the cold weather?
Just because you want to eat raw doesn’t mean foods should be out-of-the-refrigerator cold. Let them come to room temperature. You can also warm soups and sauces over low heat on the stove for a couple of minutes. And drink hot teas. Getting vigorous exercise will also warm you up in the winter.
How do you make raw, tough greens like kale and collards palatable?
To make a raw green such as kale more palatable, cut it into really fine ribbons, and then add a dressing of extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt. Don’t just toss it gently the way you’d toss a green salad. You want the kale to wilt, so massage the dressing into the greens with your hands. The result will be kale as soft as steamed or stir-fried, but more colorful and flavorful.
