Going Raw

I tried raw foods out for the first time probably 10 years ago.  I have tried many diets and found success with most of them, however I would say that only two of them have ever made me feel good while doing it.  Raw foods and (don't laugh) Suzanne Somer's food combining diet.  Her diet used to be a high protein, low carb, and as close to whole foods as possible.  She's been slowly changing her diet plan, but anyways...

In Magical Housekeeping Tess Whitehurst says, "Then I became a raw vegan, since I could sense the healing and consciousness-expanding qualities of live plant foods, and because I felt guided that this would help me to live in blissful harmony with the planet and the universe."  (p. xii).

I don't have any motivations for going raw other than the way I physically feel while eating raw.  However, there is almost a spiritual ease I feel on this diet.  I feel light and at peace.  Oh gods!  I don't want to go all smarmy or woo woo here. 

As many of you know, I have had 5 high risk pregnancies.  I was told with Isabella that if I became pregnant again that both the baby and I would die.  I swear, some docs see pregnancy as a disease.  And if you challenge me... what happens?  I went raw with Rowan and carried him to full term with no complications.  I stayed about 70% raw with Lily and gave birth in a birthing center at full term, no complications, and was home 3 hours after she was born.  Booyah! 

Yeah, so I have lots of warm and fuzzies about raw.  What's so cool about raw?  I am not going to remember the sources nor the exact scientific information, but here goes.

First the American Diet peeps (ADA?) say that our diets should consist of 50% raw foods.  At least they got something right.  If you look at the average american diet, very little is raw or sometimes in a recognizable state.  Scientist have said that there is a coorelation with aging and loss of enzymes.  Raw foods have enzymes that die at about 90-118 degrees.  Scientists have not studied whether or not eating raw foods changes that enzyme loss, but raw foodist believe so.  (Enzymes are one of the cool factors of Isagenix). 

What about protein, calcium, insert concern here?  Many raw foods contain proteins and other valuable components that are either destroyed or greatly reduced in the cooking process. 

Ya know what?  I don't really care about the science.  I could continue in this vein, however, what I do care about is results.  I look and feel amazing on raw. 

The drawback?  It requires self-control and discipline.  Grabbing a burger at a fast food joint is easier than whipping up a smoothie.  Also, I have troubles making sure I get enough fat on this diet which is key with satisfaction with any diet plan.  I devour avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oils, etc... 

Our finances are tight so I will not be able to pick up the organics like I have in the past which means that I will lose out on some of the nutritional content.  If you can peel it though, buying organic isn't quite so important.  I'll be saving my money for organic fruits such as strawberries which carry some of the highest pesticide levels because of its delicate skin.

First let's talk about books: Rejuvate Your Life by Serene Allison was the first raw book I picked up.  I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book even though I adore the recipes.  First it's Christian and it leans more towards it's God's way than to list any real science.  Second while I adore the recipes, there are tons of free recipes online and books that list out simpler recipes to begin with.  This is my go to recipe book and I have a feeling its because its what I know more so than anything else. 

 

Raw Food: Life Force Energy by Natalie Rose is another book I can't recommend.  I was totally unaware until this book that there was a faction within raw foods that did food combining.  I couldn't understand the "easy guideline" of starches go with starches and flesh with flesh and fruit with fruit, but bananas and avocados go with...  She didn't slow down to explain it.  Also, she's pro raw cow's milk, raw goat's cheese and meats.  I was really looking forward to her 21 day cleanse which is why I read this yesterday and it turns out to be a cooked foods, fish, mostly raw thing.  First I'm not sure if the animal products are a way to dumb down the diet for those that don't feel like they can get away from these foods or what.  And I found the food combining to be too much hassle.  Regular raw works for me and if it stopped, I might try it out... but I'm returning this book.  Oh and its spiritual in nature.  Kind of nice since its more Indian/Chinese/Japanese in spirituality and I am intrigued in the idea of turning this diet into a spiritual experiment for myself.  However, some may find this off-putting.

Next!  The Raw Gourmet by Nomi Shannon, I have to say that I haven't read this yet.  I don't know when I bought it, but I found it with my cookbooks, lol!  I flipped through this last night and it explains the food combining in words I can understand!  Plus it has a symbol next to recipes are "properly" combined, but also have plain old raw recipes. 

 I really liked Raw Food Made Easy by Jennifer Cornbleet.  I read this yesterday as well.  First the recipes were simple and didn't require the slew of gadgets that the other books require.  I do have a Vitamix.  And I do have a Green Star juicer (oh the pain to clean the damn thing) I don't have a mandoline, but I love my julienne hand held slicer (like a vegetable peeler, but cooler).  I love my blender and it's a fav on raw foods and slushy alcohol drinks (for reals), but I hate pulling out all the other gadgets.  I can't wait to try out the recipes in this book!

Gina Matthews's 100 5 Ingredients or Less Raw Food Recipes is only $0.99 on Kindle.  I have only looked over the sample (I purchased it this morning) is right up my alley.  Simple recipes requiring only a few ingredients.  Fingers crossed on the recipes. 

There are a ton of great sites with info on transitioning, cleansing, and recipes.  Some of our family's favorites have come from http://rawfoods.com/ .

Here's my plannish: read more, lol!  Where the hell did February go?  I didn't realize it was the end of the month till yesterday.  I will point to the books I've read samples of that I'm considering next at the end of this blog.

I plan to spend a few days to a week in phase 1 and 2.  Phase 1 is no meats.  That's what I'm doing today.  Phase 2 is no animal products (dairy and eggs).  The rest of the month will be 100% raw.  At the beginning of April I will then reconsider what level of raw I want to continue with. 

The above plan will change if I can quickly find a handy dandy guide to a 2-3 week plan.  <sigh> I am beyond exhausted again today and can't wait for this tooth to be fixed.  And the plague continues at Chez Horine. 

Ok so here are the books I'm considering: I've read all the samples and think I've weeded out all of the raw milks and meats, but sometimes you miss something on the samples.

 

Course I'm leaning towards this last one.  It just might have a handy dandy plan... :)