Sound Off: Why Go Raw?

Have you ever considered a raw food diet?

Imagine for a moment, a life without meat; this is vegetarian. Now imagine a life without animal products of all kinds (cheese, dairy, eggs, etc.); this is vegan. Finally, imagine a life without all of the above plus the process of cooking and you have raw vegan. For some, this radical idea may be a new concept, but it is an increasing trend in current society rooted from ancient times.
 
Globally, the raw food diet is defined by the consumption of vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and legumes, none cooked beyond the temperature of 118 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the simplest of definitions. It can be expanded further to include flowers, green sprouts, roots and water vegetation. With 99.99% of all food on Earth being raw plant food, it is a wonder why we ever began cooking.
 
Cooked food was not here when we first appeared on Earth. Raw food is truly the most perfect food for human consumption. This is based on the structure and function of the human jaw, teeth, digestive canal, sense organs, instincts of our young, psychological aversion towards killing and the emotional feelings towards animals. Even beyond this, a well-balanced raw diet is the solution to disease and unhappiness.
 
Immediately in the transformation to a raw diet you become in touch with a new vital power. This power brings with it not only health, but also a new paradigm of wealth, success, possibility, beauty, happiness, longevity and prosperity. Specifically, the health benefits arise gradually, yet instantaneously.
 
This story from David Wolfe, one of raw food’s leading spokesmen, demonstrates exactly how instantaneous transformation can be:
 
“I recall one afternoon, several years ago, my cousin and I were juicing citrus fruits and feijoa (pineapple guava) at a former home in San Diego. We were in the middle of drinking a pitcher, when we both simultaneously exclaimed, ‘I can see better!’ And we could see better. My vision permanently improved that day.”
 
Mostly, the astounding benefit of partaking in a raw food diet is the amount of energy you acquire. Cooked food takes so much energy from your body; energy that could have been used more efficiently, like possibly running a marathon effortlessly. Many raw foodists, after the cleansing process, only need three to six hours of sleep a night because their bodies have become so much more efficient.
 
Yes, there is also the benefit of weight loss, lowered cholesterol, lowered blood pressure, almost complete annihilation of sickness and reversal of both types of diabetes, but when living a more natural way of life, you also become in tune once again with your instinct, also known as your intuition. For physical examples of the benefits of raw food, view pictures of these stunning people who follow this diet: Demi Moore, Jason Mraz, Carol Alt and Natalie Rose.
 
It should be noted that the process of transforming to raw is gradual and not a quick fix. It begins with commitment and is followed by small daily steps. Each step brings with it exploration of one’s self. For example, some like to include raw meat, while others find it has a negative effect on the body. Becoming in tune with your body’s voice is an invaluable element of the entire process. It’s important not to become raw all at once and to never eliminate something from your diet all at once. Add good food and watch the other food fall away.
 
Become educated. A great starting place is through David Wolfe’s book The Sunfood Success System, from which most of the information here has been gathered. Great recipe books to get inspired by are written by Elaine Love, Ani Phyo, and Sarma Melngailis. If you enjoy learning online, check out Raw Food Rehab.
 
The raw food sensation is becoming more prevalent every day, and whether or not you wish to be apart of this diet, or lifestyle, being educated could potentially be the best thing you could do for yourself and your body. Remember, daily action accumulates in the body. By supplementing your current diet with enzyme rich raw food, you’re already beginning to take small steps towards all the benefits of a raw food diet. Join the rawvolution!
 
*Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of this publication or any of the participating school districts. Before making any major changes to your diet, you should consult with your family physician. Feel free to comment on this article in the form below.