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Aug

29

Is the Raw Food Lifestyle the Next Macrobiotic Diet?

August 29, 2007 |

Yesterday, I received an email from a fellow “health renegade” who had some concerns about the raw food lifestyle.

He brought up some interesting points that he gleaned from the raw food summit as well as his own thoughts about living foods, nutrition and macrobiotics.

Instead of explaning what he wrote, I asked him if I could print the exact email here and open it up to a forum for comments.

I have my own opinions about this, but I want everyone else to chime in first…

First, most importantly, thanks for your efforts at energizing the raw food movement. Its success is mirrored in your inbox and in the improved health of your subscribers as they incorporate whatever parts of the summit resonate within them (us).

A caution, though. I don’t think you are old enough to recall the heady (pun intended) days of the 60’s. Macrobiotics was the food rage at the time. Granted, like raw food, not everyone was aware of it, much less practiced it. Because of much misinformation abounding, and because of inappropriate claims made by well-meaning people, people began showing up in university medical centers with various maladies.
This cast a stigma on macrobiotics and its followers that was beyond the proportions of its aims and claims.

Many and various opinions were expressed in the Raw Summit. The grounding of many of these, while sincere and well intentioned, leaves much of the raw food movement vulnerable to unnecessary hurdles to be overcome in the future. It is one thing to say, “This worked for me and a lot of other people.” While this is indisputable, there are many other explanations for the claimed successes.

My suggestions would fall into two categories.

If one wishes to explain their findings in a scientific manner, we should question how they relate to humans, based on evolutionary, genetic relevance.

If one wishes to explain their understanding in an inner resonance, the discussion should key on how that inner resonance is cultivated, and how, growing from this inner light, the desire for raw food arises and feeds back into that resonance.

Everyone in the Raw Summit passes that criteria, more or less. When taken out of context, i.e., “Eat raw food,” problems are likely to arise.

As an example, let me draw your attention to Victoria Boutenko and her family. They started out with a profound understanding of the benefits of raw food, as have most of us. After a few years, more or less on a plateau, they noticed that they were beginning to be less healthy. Most people who have been there say something like, “I fell off the wagon for a few day/weeks.” Victoria researched the reasons behind this failing and discovered that Bonobo monkeys (our closest genetic relatives) eat greens (not veggies) and fruit as their predominant nourishment. She invented Green Smoothies, which are the key to raw food.

As an example of the second suggestion, Richard Blackman spoke of eating what feels right in his heart. While I am not a fruitarian, his remark is very important to the raw food movement. He understands that it isn’t food that keeps us alive, but the energy inherent in the idea of food (which he sees as being best expressed in fruit).
What he points to is beyond science and/or intellect. (For what it’s worth, I believe he expressed why the placebo effect works.) I don’t know how to explain (verbally) how to resonate with this understanding, but it comes from a much deeper place in consciousness than merely “food”.

I believe that all of us in the raw food movement have been given the challenge to deepen our understanding of food. Some will take it as the physical essence of food and some will take it as the energetic essence of food. In each case, your efforts have produced a greater reverence for that aspect of our lives commonly dismissed as “eating”. Your efforts with the Raw Summit have helped all of us to understand how great a force we are dealing with, as a community and as a movement.

Again, many, many thanks.

I’m interested in what you think… go ahead and post away! (If there is no comment box below, please scroll to the top of the page and click the “Leave a Comment” link :-))

Live Awesome!

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Kevin Gianni wants to spread the word of great health in a big way! He is an internationally known health advocate, author, and film consultant. He has helped thousands and thousands of people in over 85 countries though online health teleseminars on living and raw food and abundance, optimum health and longevity. He is also the creator and co-author of "The Busy Person's Fitness Solution"

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52 Comments so far

Sarah on August 31, 2007 4:57 pm
I tend to agree with “health renegade.”

This is why I thank Dr. Doug Graham and his crew for teaching natural hygiene and the low fat raw diet. After other “methods” of raw didn’t work for me for one reason or another, Dr. D’s work was a refreshing find and I finally got answers about WHY and HOW raw works, in the long term. He actually explained the science behind it so well that I had no more excuses not to change my lifestyle.

A lot of the other stuff floating around out there is, in my opinion, rather hokey and embarassing.
Christine L Berger on August 31, 2007 5:10 pm
I think that each of us must find our spiritual path, what we resonate with. Many of us are drawn as healers to bring away from the established paradigmn regarding food, holistic healing, etc. as part of our spiritual path. The Raw Summit explained to me why it has taken me four years to get to the point where I can be 100% raw, and why as a “compulsive eater” (thanks, Victoria) I could never do 80/20. After years of Reiki, network chiropractic, yoga, etc., I am at a place where the raw food diet is the missing piece. at nearly 58 I feel like I am rejuvenating. What is more important to me though, is that my body is confirming its joy at my change in behavior, and shortly after the Raw summit, my addiction to cooked food was lifted. I believe in a combination of education and listening to my brothers and sisters, with the end result being I must find that unique strand to Source which is mine and mine alone, and have that lead me to the appropriate behavior for me. At this point a raw vegan diet is 100% appropriate. I believe it took me four years to get here as I was not able to deal with the raw emotions prior to this point.
Alexis Black on August 31, 2007 5:27 pm
I believe it is ultimately up to each individual to discover what foods are best for them. As we, as individuals evolve and move through stages in our lives, our needs change. What works well during one phase of our lives, may not be suitable for us next week, or next year. I think it’s important to keep checking in with our bodies and intellect to reassess whether food choices we make are still advantageous, or if we are simply eating what was suggested by the experts. The problem is that most people eat what feels good at that moment, without regard for the impact of the food on their bodies, minds and emotions. Eliminating the triggers and drug-like effects of processed foods, foods with chemicals and additives and those that were never meant for human consumption is a good start. How can we get a fair evaluation of how a food effects us if we are still under the spell of additives (and foods that have had their essence removed, like white breads and white rice)? It’s hard to find the perfect balance of food that is right for you as an individual, because we change moment by moment, and each piece of food is different (unless genetically modified, each apple is unique, no two are alike). There is no perfect formula. I think it’s important to listen to experts, take what makes sense to you, try it, and if it works, implement it until it no longer yields benefits, and keep learning and testing. That’s what the Boutenkos did, and what Blackman and Cousins seem to suggest. Go with what makes sense to you, be open to suggestion and change, and keep your priorities focuses on health, not immediate gratification of the senses without regard to what your body has to deal with after the food has left your taste buds. Sure, it takes more effort than simply eating what is easily attainable (usually junk food), but it’s well worth it. Before the agricultural revolution, we had to work for our food. It took time to collect little nuts, roots, berries, insects and the occasional creature. Nature decided what we ate. We have become so far removed from nature and how we were meant to nourish our bodies, and it’s obvious this is why we are sick and dying. I don’t know the secret formula, but as a raw foodist, I now have optimism and hope for my future and my health. I constantly reevaluate my food choices and tweak my diet. I continue to read, listen and be open to ideas and information. As I evolve, my diet changes with me. That’s the key. Keep moving, like a river. Never become stagnate.
gary on August 31, 2007 5:44 pm
I tend to agree with Sarah.

And I tend to disagree with the first commenter who stated that 1) victoria invented the green smoothie and 2) they are the key to success.

although victoria is wonderful, certainly many people were making fruit/veg smoothies prior to her discovery.

and i will just say that it’s certainly possible to thrive without green smoothies, by just eating the veggies. blending is not too bad, but more damaging and problematic than one would think with respect to cell wall damage and tendency to cause overeating and difficulty with appetite stop recognition.

peace out.
Marlena on August 31, 2007 5:59 pm
I recently completed a raw food course at Gabriel Cousin’s ToL. I noticed changes in my body and thoughts as a result of even the very limited interaction I had with the foods offered there. I know from experience that a lot of one’s sense of taste is cultivated more than inherent, and therefore can change.
However, I also noticed the same thing that bothers me so much about veganism in general–all of the people there who were true devotees (a lot of staff/interns “cheat”) LOOKED sick…and most of them had the benefit of extreme youth.

To me, a bloom in the cheek and a little muscle is sign of good health. Many there seemed overly pale and a lot of the women, especially, had difficulty lifting what I would regard as normal things (like a full jug of water). There were a lot of anorexia teeth going on. Even Gabriel, who claims to do 300 push-ups, etc, wasn’t exactly a posterchild for vitality. Maybe their labs are good, but the vitality they radiate is not. Plus, there is the issue that so often comes with the method–the zeal of the philosophy. It CAN become almost a cultish and addictive adherence to some template. I listened to most, but not all, of the interviews, and only one woman that I heard spoke to the fact that interacting with the food can raise the vibration of anything you eat and that the intention is far more important than any objective rubric of what’s healthy.

I echo the sentiments that the body will change over time and be affected by climate, landscape, age, emotions, body type, etc. On a quantum level, “enlivening” food is not a problem–it may be easier with some, and reducing synthetic toxins is logically wise, but it’s almost as though we are approaching this issue from the wrong side (ie, expecting food to enable us to vibrate at a certain place, rather than vice versa). Not that it doesn’t work in both directions, but yes, it works in BOTH directions–so obsession is not necessary.

Also, I notice that the issues of sustainability are not really addressed by many. Yes, chocolate and gogi are superfoods. But what are the superfoods in your locale? Shipping these crops from 1/2way around the world is not a healthy interaction, much less encouraging monocultures for cash in parts of the world where the environment is still relatively balanced. Part of this whole conversation MUST be about finding the plants that support you where you are, in both location and season.
Susanne on August 31, 2007 6:04 pm
I believe that stress is related to 99% of all disease. Eating 100% raw was creating a bit of stress in my life, therefore I now eat 80% raw and can enjoy the occasional potluck with my non-raw friends and family and I am more at peace. I have a glass of water and a liter (quart) of green smoothie every morning to start my day, and believe that this is very beneficial for my health. I feel the difference. If I BELIEVE it makes a positive difference in my life, it does (placebo effect). Keep up the good work Kevin!

With Love & Gratitude, Susanne
Anne-Marie on August 31, 2007 6:09 pm
I totally agree with Marlena about superfoods and local sustainebility in our environment. Being in resonance with our food, the one grown locally, is to me, much more attainable since what make grow that food is also what make me live (air, water, light…) And for the transportation which is one of the main environmental hasard, locally grown food is surely the way to be healthy and that the planet that carries us stays healthy.
rick on August 31, 2007 6:19 pm
great idea..! a raw blog is very important.. to all those into this..and to those thinking on it.. some good points made above.. I enjoyed the raw summit (many thanks ‘Awsome’ Kevin-that is your name?) and was interested in what all the ‘experts’ had to say- but think the ‘raw food next macro?’ statement above makes some very valid points..our bodies are truly amazing in what they can survive in terms of input- both physical & emotional. Lots of believers went ‘macro’- convinced themselves they were doing good things for their bodies- and didn’t want to hear what others said about possible nutrient shortages with that way of eating. Science won the day on that one. The body it seems has certain needs that most of us can’t ignore.. at least for very long.

and now we have a lot of confusion re ‘raw’. From Boutenko to Graham to Blackman- and others- could easily create some confusion about what leads to healthy bodies. A spiritual aproach is great but science ‘facts’ should also be heeded. Have been doing Victorias green smoothies for 9 months now -a good way to go to become a ‘lover of greens’.. was impressed with Dr Grahams ’science’ and certainly appreciate Mike Adams ’search for truth.’

So lets hope we can ’stay the course’ with this- and do the best we can re feeding our bods- and our spirits - and find a balance for ourselves that works for everyone- without setting ourelves up for a fall.

‘heres to one for the (middle of the) road’ to health- for all..
isabella on August 31, 2007 6:29 pm
Love Raw renegades! Seems like big beautiful renaissance faire. Love the explorers and boundary busters. Don’t mind quacks or hucksters…always there at the faire. Discovery abounds when the wide array of foodies deeply investigate and report back both their empirical and psycho lyrical discoveries. Love the summit! It means the hive is buzzing. Me too. I am green drunk like a Bono monk and Nano B Complexed. And love Brendan Brazier’s Stress paradigm because it’s all a marathon! And mmmm…Brazier’s Berry Bar rocks, seriously.
Onward into the next mystery,
Isabella
Isabella
rick on August 31, 2007 6:49 pm
When I heard Dr Graham speak of ‘raw food diabetics’ it sounded like someone who had done his homework..and am thankful that now I can understand why low fat is the better way to go. I liked the way he explained some very important aspects re health- and energy.

Marlena makes a very good point re sustainability, but that can be very difficult depending on where you live. (Almost feel like a ‘cheater’ living in Mexico with a organic farm nearby and great fruits available..)

Still think that ‘believeing’ something ‘works’ doesn’t always stand the test of time.. lots of well meaning folks ‘believed’ in the macrobiotic diet thing- and many paid a price for doiing so.

Some form of humanity started out raw - and now we’ve come full circle.. I’m sold- but lets ‘do it right’ this time around- please.
Mary Dunleavy on August 31, 2007 6:57 pm
I, too, agree with many of the comments made by the “health renegade.” I turned to raw foods because my body was simply rejecting everything else. Raw foods were all I could tolerate without feeling horrible. I had no idea at the time that a “raw food lifestyle” existed, and I felt I was winging it as I made choices that hopefully met my nutritional needs.

I participated in the Raw Food Summit as a raw food novice who sought scientifically supported information. Uninformed processed food choices had already led to my ill-health … I didn’t want to make new, uninformed raw food selections that would keep me from restored health. While I appreciated the passionate words of all the summit speakers, I felt only Dr. Doug Graham offered the scientific research I needed to feel confident about being a HEALTHY raw foodist. His professional expertise was a much needed addition to the fanatical sounding practices discussed by a number of other speakers.

None-the-less, I learned something of value from each speaker and feel the summit as a whole was very worthwhile. It was certainly much appreciated by me!
Char on August 31, 2007 7:33 pm
I have to agree with Suzanne about finding balance. I say this after listening through most of the summit, previously reading several of the speakers’ books, and trying to live the raw food way for a few months. I am a 47 year old endurance athlete raising 3 teenage girls who are the same. We have lived a whole food diet for years, and yes we consume fish and occasionally chicken. We do not have health problems, period. I would say we are 60-80% raw, me leaning toward the 80%.

One thing I find annoying is that the testimonials and “healing” come from people who have obvious health issues with their lifestyle and food choices. Of course you are going to see amazing results if you’ve been eating processed “food” for most of your life! Where are the testimonials from “normal” healthy people who felt an amazing difference when they switched to raw foods?

Also, in Dr. Graham’s book I was disappointed that he doesn’t discuss eating while training - which fortunately Brandan Brazier does address. Endurance athletes have special needs, including needing the sodium which Dr. Graham stresses to steer clear of. Brandan’s approach is refreshing, however many of his recipes need extreme help - i.e. don’t call for “5 dates,” we need the weight - your dates may not be the same type and size as mine!

If I forced my family to go completely raw, I would live with resentment and unhappiness. Our meals are a celebration of good food without going extreme. There is much to be said about the benefits of raw foods, but as has been already noted, living stress free and happy has many benefits too.
Erica on August 31, 2007 8:39 pm
After reading the fellow “Health Renegade’s” email I found it quite condescending and boring. I am new to the Raw Food lifestyle, and have tried the macrobiotic diet way back when. To make a comparison of the two makes no sense. I don’t think he gets it.
molly on August 31, 2007 8:45 pm
amen, marlena!! our minds, which are ultimately in control of our bodies, are truly the most powerful force we have to fight disease and radiate good health. obsessions, even if for the “right” things, are not healthy. having positive intentions with regard to eating is certainly important regardless of what one eats, but having positive intentions with regard to living is paramount. that explains why some people can smoke and drink and eat highly processed foods and still live to be 90 without complications…doesn’t happen often, but it does happen. perhaps true inner peace and happiness create good health. and one person’s path to that place may be quite different from the next.
Cheryl on August 31, 2007 9:16 pm
I enjoyed reading everyone’s blog…it’s sorta cosmopolitan. Everyone has their valid points to make because we are all coming from different places, from different starting points in lifesytle and health. I might add we are all coming from different levels of intensity, enthusiasm,and expertise. Personally, I am a beginner in the concept of all raw eating. I enjoy my green drink for breakfast, pulp and all. And it has made a difference in my health. I am here to learn.
I so enjoyed Dr. Graham as many of you did. He pointed out very valuable concepts that are changing my habits. I started to enjoy the knowledge that Victoria B shared however, her energy came across a bit frenetic and I was so worn out at the end of her conversation that I don’t remember much at all.
I love that we all are getting together and sharing ideas on health and better ways to live in this world.
This is a very good endeavor…a good good thing!
Jeanne on August 31, 2007 9:18 pm
The entire idea of the Raw Summit was incredible and I learned a lot and found encouragement from (most of) the participants. The best thing I learned is that even the experts have their weak moments but not to feel guilty about it! I have a question if anyone can answer it - after hearing such glowing reports about goji berries, raw cacao and maca powder, I bought some of each and started eating all three in small amounts. Within a couple of days I started getting awful lower abdominal cramps which lasted about a week. It has subsided but can anyone tell me if they have heard of such effects from any of these foods? I haven’t felt like that since getting off gluten 3 years ago!

As an aside, Victoria may not have “invented” the Green Smoothie, but I’d say she’s been most instrumental in getting people to eat more greens!! What a great way to get the kids to eat them too!!
dee on August 31, 2007 11:23 pm
Great job Kevin … hope there is more like that to come. I agree with Mary Dunleavy “I learned something of value from each speaker and feel the summit as a whole was very worthwhile. It was certainly much appreciated by me!” and Jeanne “The entire idea of the Raw Summit was incredible and I learned a lot and found encouragement from (most of) the participants.”. I am new to the Raw Food lifestyle and struggling with my addiction to “my 5 food groups”, bread, pasta, popcorn, rice and potatoes … all with lots of butter of course. Other than that I love the raw food diet. Thanx again Kevin, what a brilliant idea… as is this sharing page.
Elroy on September 1, 2007 12:03 am
Hi ,
I am form Goa , India and I used to listen to the raw summit every day . Since the raw summit started I slowly went raw and also went back to cook food but I would also try and see how the food make me feel after I ate it and that helped me understand why I should eat raw food . Its not the easiest thing to do but if you go by your feeling you will understand . Thanks and may you all be happy .
SweetClara on September 1, 2007 12:38 am
I love all the feedback. I have been going raw all my life…always loved veggies and salads and gardening. Nothing like eating fresh directly from the plant. I agree that the closer to home the better for nutrient quality, supporting local farmers and decreasing oil dependence. However, some of the Superfoods can add super amounts of nutrients and you usually only need a small amount in your smoothie.
As with any diet people may have alergies to foods. My mother just discovered she is alergic to chocolate, coffee, wheat, eggs, dairy, asperagus, radish (Maca is in the same family), and others after eating these things all her life. Your stomach cramps may be due to undiagnoised alergies or the stimulant effect of cacao. You can find labs online that will test for 96 food alergens.
If you really want to know if you are getting all your nutrients check out the free diet analysis site online at http://www.fitday.com You can add customized foods such as raw cacao, maca, goji berries, etc. You can look up nutritient content of food at Vegan Peace for some of the unusual foods. You can also add your energy needs and lifestyle metabolic needs. Since I was new to 100% raw and it really helped me to find the areas I was deficient…I needed to add MORE vegetables for minerals and MORE fruit for energy. Vit D can always be made by being in sunshine. As for B-12 everyone has there own ideas about that. It is interesting to see just how much nutrients (vitamins & minerals) you are getting OVER the RDAs.

I was lucky to be at a Raw Passion Picnic where Dr. Doug Graham attended two weekends ago. He really does eat tons of greens throughout the day as well as his fruit. So it was interesting & informative to see him actually grazing over about a four hour period of time.

I have been decreasing my fat intake for weight loss, but still having dificulty getting it below 20% which is a few nuts and 1/4 to 1/2 of an avocado a day. I was shocked when I discovered some days I was eating 50% to 60% calories ingested in the form of fat when I first went raw (mostly avocados which I love). Most fruit and greens will balance out near to the 80-10-10 proportions–just make sure you are getting enough total calories for energy expenditure if you want to maintain your weight. A lot of raw foodist do look thin. However research has shown that thin people may live longer at an increased level of fitness.

If you are new to a raw vegan diet, be kind to yourself and just know this is a long term lifestyle change. Most experts recommend viewing changing your diet as “adding” more raw foods to your diet rather than viewing it as “taking away” cooked foods. I found as I ate more and more raw foods my sense of taste became more acute. I enjoyed the complexities of the food I was eating which increased the feeling of satisfaction. Also there are some great gourmet “uncookbooks” now to help you add variety and interest to the raw diet making it easier to maintain.

My favorite smoothie for breakfast right now is…
Pine Nut, Banana, Blackberry, Cacao & Dandelion Greens.

Bon Apetite…
Adam Lewis on September 1, 2007 12:40 am
The Live Food way of life is whats right for all of humanity. Anyone with a deep rooted connection with yourself, your brothers and sisters and our mother are aware of this If not, it’s just a matter of time. It’s only obvious when it’s presented to oneself. We all were brought up in present day conditions, so the reality is we’ve lost our way. We all know that. The part that we don’t know, is which of the millions of paths are right. I have a son with cystic fibrosis which puts me in a unique position. Fifty plus years ago this magnificent child would not be alive today. So here I am on the frontline with medical doctors breathing down my neck pushing all sorts of treatments and drugs onto my son. I’m in some seriously uncharted territory. I feed him alot of raw and only do the treatments and drugs I feel I don’t have an answer for, but haven’t found the knowledge to break away completely from corrupt western medicine. Live, learn and grow. We all have are callings. We are here to evolve. Change can be painful. Embracing our lives with a loving, compassionate heart is the only life worth living. We are one and a living foods diet connects us with each other and all living things. Which of course means the earth, our home. I love you all, take your beautiful self and spread THE WORD.
Becky on September 1, 2007 12:52 am
Bonobos are apes like we are, not monkeys.
Julee on September 1, 2007 1:31 am
I feel that “This worked for me and a lot of other people” is the whole point. No one eating a diet other than raw attempts to standarize their diet to anyone else’s, why would we in the raw food movement feel we should? Of course there will be nutritional need variations from individual to individual. Dietary guidelines are nothing more than that — a direction to begin in, or come back to. We all have to find our own ‘right’ way to do raw.
Two-and-a-half months into raw I saw my doctor recently for a regular checkup. His conclusion on my going raw? “This seems to be working for you.” Well, yes, that’s the whole point…..
Penelope on September 1, 2007 1:46 am
I really enjoyed the Raw Summit. It was so great to listen to so many raw food experts, one right after another. I feel it gave the audience a chance to see the similarities and differences between the information that was presented. Very important for both the beginner and long-term raw food enthusiast.

I started my raw food transition in March when I bought the book, The Raw Food Detox Diet (very good BTW). I’ve since bought and “skimmed” many books, and had the good fortune to hear many of these raw food experts (and others) in person AND attended the 1st ever Raw Food Film Festival in Santa Monica, CA (the film festival changed my life - it was like getting a year’s worth of college education in 2 1/2 days!). I must admit it was all very confusing for someone just starting out when you have so many contradicting experts.

What’s a person to do?

Well for me, reading and researching and listening to as many as I can has allowed me to form some opinions that I’m comfortable with, for example:

Raw food diets will differ depending on:
a) your current health (do you have cancer or diabetes, or are you just over weight)
b) how old or young are you
c) what part of the world do you live in and what is the climate like
d) how long you’ve been eating raw food
e) what your “thoughts” are like

So I don’t think there is a one-size-fits-all raw food diet, but I do believe “simple” is key for both maintaining the diet and what is natural for the human body.

Of all the speakers I heard on the Summit (and since I started in March), I think I got the most out of Dr. Graham’s lecture. I was so happy to hear someone had done some research on those who were eating raw and “STILL” getting cancer, and other diseases that raw food is suppose to heal. I went out and bought his book 80/10/10 right away and have started reading it. I love it so far, even the introduction was educational! I think he may have found the key…. keep it simple and keep it as we would have eaten when we first inhabited the planet.

I agree with those on this BLOG that spoke of buying local and organic, and buying in season. I believe this is the most natural way to eat and what our bodies expect.

I LOVE Victoria Boutenko and her Green For Life book and family story book, but I must say I was disappointed when I went to one of her lectures in my home town a few weeks ago. She has put on a lot of weight. Her lecture was informational and entertaining, but it was hard to look at her and hear her talk about the wondrous health you get from eating raw food when she looked like the before picture instead of the after picture on a weight-watchers poster. She did address her weight - acknowledging that she was aware (of course) of her obesity and that she is researching and working on what is causing it. Maybe she should read 80/10/10 (and I say that with love and the utmost respect for her).

I appreciated hearing about Marlena’s experience with Gabriel Cousin’s TOL center. I thought he sounded a bit over the top in his raw summit interview. Thank you Marlena for sharing your opinions of the center. I found them very valuable and I agree, it would be difficult to take health advice from someone who looks weak and sickly.

And speaking of over the top, I agree with others on this BLOG, that feel some people are taking this to a cult and chemists status…. using it as a why to look down their nose at others who don’t mix Spirulina in their juice or haven’t heard of gogi berries. I don’t think I should need a bunch of supplements or super foods if my diet is complete. Dr. Graham calls this the “fragmented approach.” Quoted from his 80/10/10 book: “All we can hope to achieve through supplementation with isolated nutrients is to relieve symptoms while creating further imbalances.” Dr. Graham is coming to a local raw food restaurant in a couple weeks. I look forward to hearing him speak and asking him questions.

And lastly, we mustn’t forget the part our thoughts play in our health. I believe in Law of Attraction - even before it became popular with the movie The Secret. How else do we explain those that smoke, drink and eat crap but still live well into their 90’s with little to no health problems? I do believe our thoughts have the power to heal our bodies, but I also think eating as our creator intended us to eat will keep us healthy naturally.

Thank you Kevin for providing the Raw Summit and your great interview questions. I’m sure it benefited all that listened.
sebastian baum on September 1, 2007 1:47 am
yeah bunch of airy fairies, face the truth and eat yer fruits, the only health foods are fresh fruits and vegetables, there is no magic potion, just be clear 811 peace for real
Joe Bourque on September 1, 2007 3:10 am
I am 67 years old and have been 80% raw for five years, and 100% raw for two months. The last time I had a physical was in 1992. I do not take any prescription or over the counter medicine not even asprin for about 15 years now. I enjoyed the Raw Summit especially Happy(if only we all could live that lifestyle. For me becoming Raw was an evolution over time and a lot of research I subscribed to the Nutritional News Letter, Tufts Medical Newsletter and read a lot of material on health and diet. slowly removing things from my diet. I stopped drinking and smoking when I was 35.In March of 2004 I was 290lbs and found out my twin sister was diagnosed with diabetes I had been Juicing and was exercising a little. I found Alissa Cohens website and got her book and started eating raw and fasting and in June had gotten down to 200 lbs. and maintained it till Nov of 06 when I got off my routine and went SAD. In May 07 I was back up to 245. I am now 216 and going down. Since 2004 My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been through chemo and radiation and is on medication for the cancer and diabetes. I learned a lot from the summit. a lot of things I was already doing. I have found that if I listen to what all the experts at one of these things say, and then pick out things that might fit in to my lifestyle I am ahead.Since the summit I have turned off my TV don’t listen to news. I’m going to bed at 8:00 PM and getting up when I wake up around 1 or 2 AM (It is funny because I used to do this when I was in High School because at that time in the morning my mind was at its peak for studying). I have added Cacoa, maca,gogi berries,hemp seed,and E3live to my diet. I have no side effects from it accept more energy and alertness.I am reading David wolfes The Sunfooddiet Success System and I am setting goals. Until I was 18 I ate organic food because all the veggies and fruit I ate came from our garden and fruit trees. The only apples pears and peaches you were allowed to eat were the ones with bruises or wormholes the good ones went in the attic in baskets to be used during the winter. Milk, butter and eggs were delivered to our door from the local dairy. I have found in going Raw I have to go back to the teachings of my youth and become self sufficient. I am redoing my kitchen I have an automatic Sprouter, dehydrator, vitamix, food processor, two juicers (breville and champion)and a good refrigerator/freezer that I can controll the temp. I also have replaced my light bulbs with 17watt grow lights and have my potted herbs near them in different parts of the house. I live on a half acre lot with some fruit trees andI do not use herbicides or pesticides so I do have a lot of wild greens ( all I have to do is identify the ones I can eat. I believe Raw is the way to go and it is not something you do overnight. and you don’t just follow one expert. It is a lifestyle not a diet or quick fix. You read listen and change with the times.
Joe Bourque on September 1, 2007 4:15 am
I have one question. I recently tried to order Raw Cacao from Rawganique.com and they said, “Due to recent documentation about possible negative side effects of eating raw cacao, Rawganique no longer sells raw cacao in any form.” Has anone heard about this and do you have any comments? What are the negative side effects. Everything I have read is positive.
Mary Dunleavy on September 1, 2007 10:12 am
I’m able to find just one site that really focuses on the negative side effects of raw cacao … http://www.living-foods.com/articles/toxiccacao.html

Not sure what to make of it, but there is some conflicting information out there about it.
su on September 1, 2007 1:54 pm
The reference to Macrobiotics was significant for me as someone who practiced and ‘taught’ it for many years. In my work with many people who were often seemingly ‘terminally’ ill, I observed a lot. For one- any sense of what was sound nourishment differed significantly from ‘expert’ person to person, depending on what they had ‘bought in’ wholesale from other teachers and what they discerned from their own experience- although it was always clearly realised that one of the most significant ingredients in what you ate was the energy of the cook inevitably laced into the vibration of the food. The same goes for uncooking too.

In my perception most ’scientific’ investigations into a way of eating are suspect not least because so many people examine a way of eating without deeply investigating whether it has been communicated accurately and likewise people often follow a dietary practice by rote without ever looking into themselves for the CURRENT truth about how THEIR body trully feels, resulting in out of kilter well-being, i.e. not being true to themselves.

If we perpetuate unquestioning dependency on external wisdoms from a base of fear, we will always be out of balance, as fear, in and of itself is depleting. Countless people who decided to adopt the so called Macrobiotic way followed recommendations given for a short time and then carried on going robotically and rigidly adhering to what had been said. Variety is not only the spice of life but an essential reflection of the truth that everything changes, including our physiological needs- and if this is not honoured, stagnant stasis is often the outcome.

Macrobiotics changed my life as a stepping stone in awareness- and also contains a mass of wisdom that has a relevance when it comes to thriving on Raw Foods, e.g. seasonality, locality and conscious preparation methods at the raw stage. I for one have never fully understood the dependency on electrical gadgets in Raw nutrition both for it’s energetics and when we have teeth with which to chew thoroughly without which we eliminate the first stage of digestion, and miss a relevant step in our ability to recognise when enough is enough! The cutting and preparation skills an enthusiastic student learns in macrobiotics also have a great and postive part to play in preparing living foods- to which I turned a few years ago.

Living Foods/ Cleansing changed my life again at another stage- but I soon recognised similar pre-occupations in the Raw Food movement as assailed the Macrobiotic world- something along the lines of ‘who is right’, so much so that the Raw world becomes one of split allegiance, rather than one given to the truth that everyone is uniquely placed in health, economical and environmental circumstance, and we are hugely blessed by the diversity of insights from which to pick and choose, experiment and design an ever changing way of eating nourished by our individual evolving wisdom.

As I see things- we live at a time when we have the potential to honour the interface of impact on ecology, economy, and our food choices, whilst still achieving a healthy way of living. It may even be that measuring our choices with a compassion wider than one just focussed on our own sense of our individual needs is an ingredient of personal health. We fly in colossal quantities of superfoods that exceed our genuine needs and Raw foods are so often priced sky high beyond the reach of many on a modest income.

So part of the Raw movement, for me, is encouraging a world where all people can have access to real and unadulterated foods as an assistant of clear and radiant health. When we mimic the existing business paradigm in the way we act, we perpetuate the same hierarchical exclusive structures that impinge upon health for everyone equally.

Perhaps this is idealistic, perhaps not. To learn to understand the meaning of the messages of our bodies and nurture our own wisdom, gleaning from the sea of information not just on edible food but the healing spectrum, is a huge gift- and to understand that we each of have the inherent capacity to trust our unique being and that all is well, a greater gift still.

Gabriel Cousens once wrote, I believe, that one consistent feature of longevity is that the less you eat the longer you live. In a world bent on selling that exploits a fundamental fear of lack, we are so easily overstuffed, when modest quantity, rest and simple respite, even in small portions, as well as the gentle communion of friendship in loving listening or a walk out in nature can be as healing as a high fired supplement.

It is less important to prove to the world that the Raw path is the right path conferring some kind of vibrational superiority on being- and important not to synonimise ’size of body’ with quality of individual health, as the picture is so much more intricate than that. It is a beautiful thing to enter into sincere dialogue with nature, treading lightly, sharing the bounty and understanding with no talk of ’should’, and to realise a gentle radiance in proportionate co-thriving with our fellow beings, human and beyond.

That more raw enhances clear health and well being is enough to encourage this awareness and practice. If people need information to feel convinced, then it is wonderful that so many people are dispensing their insights. Choose someone who seems trully radiant and find out how they do it, then see if it works for you- uncooked or cooked. We are all different-and free to choose.

Thanks for your magnificent Raw Summit accomplishment- and thanks for all the articulate insights in this blog. Joyful well-being to all.
Glen Colello on September 1, 2007 2:07 pm
The Summit was awsome & inclusive of many way to experiment. At the end of the day the best nutritionist on the planet is you.
Listening to yourself 1st & foremost is the secret. The info from the Summit speakers is
are the many different choices available to us. Cacao - No Cacao - Fruit - No Fruit
Food combining; does it matter?
Superfoods, Bee products…
This is what makes this lifestyle fun!
SO MANY CHOICES.
No Dairy No Meat other than that HAVE FUN!
Cook a little, never cook, dehydrate, blend, food process, pick from the tree/bush/ground…
What ever you do chew it enjoy it and be an example!
Aletha on September 1, 2007 2:53 pm
I truly appreciate everything everyone has posted on here. The Raw Summit and this blog have been so educational and inspirational for me and my fiance. We have been ‘experimenting’ with raw foods and super foods, at times 100% but not 100% successful. I think it is a continuing process, and resources like this continue to raise awareness. I definitely agree with Marlena about local foods and the importance of sustainability, and I was also dissapointed that a larger sphere of awareness, including environmentalism, was missing from many of the talks that I listened to (didn’t get all of them). We need to make choices that support the highest functioning of ourselves and of the planet - they are one in the same.
Peace
Kristen's Raw on September 1, 2007 3:36 pm
It’s been a great journey with Raw for me, and it’s changed since I first started.

I like the flexibility that I’ve allowed myself with Raw. While I will always be 100% Vegan, my Raw-ness ranges from 80-100% depending on the week or month. I listen to my body. There are times I want nothing but big fresh salads and/or bowls of fruit, for example. And, there are times that I want lentils or something warm. This may be physiological or psychological, it doesn’t matter to me. I follow what feels good at the moment.

I agree with someone above that stress is harsh on your body and to stress over the idea that I want something warm is not healthy either, and could be more harmful than just relaxing my mind and body and enjoying the food.

I also change by the season. So, all in all, I follow a high Raw diet - going 100% sometimes and going 80+% others. I am relaxed, feel fantastic and love life!

Cheers!
Kristen Suzanne
———
http://www.KristensRaw.com
http://www.KristensRaw.blogspot.com
Annet van Dorsser MSc on September 1, 2007 3:42 pm
This article is a great one.

There is a big similarity between the rawfood and the macrobiotic movement. I worked with Michio Kushi 20 years ago and studied macrobiotics at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands. Now I live on a rawfood diet. I know of the mistakes that were made in macrobiotics by people being too fanatic and knowing too little. I see the same things happening here and there in the rawfood movement. Especially with children we have to be very careful, both physically and mentally. The effect of being different can be bigger than we think and cause problems later. Don’t be too strict for your kid, if you are not absolutely sure of what you are doing!

I think we need to be reasonable in our approach. Extremes are never right. Maybe for a special person at a special time, but not in general.

Exactly this is the reason, why I wrote my E-book “The Seven Secrets of a Good Diet”. I got great reactions from many rawfood people, because it explains how to avoid extremes.
You can get your free copy at http://www.TheBestNaturalDiet.com/

I hope we will be able to make the people around us more conscious of what they eat and what is best to eat; of course a lot of (raw) fresh food and no chemicals. This would be a fantastic goal.

Chinese medicine is very interesting in this respect as well. Every food has a certain energy. What is good for one person, isn’t for another. It can change from day to day and from season to season. Everything changes. Learn to use your intuition. Don’t follow strict rules, if you’re not totally convinced that they work for you.

Macrobiotics say: “Don’t believe anybody, find out for yourself”.

Make your own choices and become free!
Jeni on September 1, 2007 6:30 pm
That was interesting what reagade had to say but dont know what was meant by the ill health from macrobiotics diet in the 1960’s.

Having the ability to decide what your feelings are is something that not many people have yet, or even figured out yet how your body feels. So many people are very logical thinkers and so not engage emotionally only to earn the next extra buck for the bank.

ON sustainability we dont all have the means to get a good balance locally . this year has been so bad for many crops I am glad that I can get some superfoods in the post, even if they have travelled around the world.

I am glad to have listened to the value of greens in the diet and have made some effert to increase them.

This year has been bad for so many of us in UK. ((I have a tomato plant with no tomatoes on it. last year was great with same seeds.
Not seen many cherries this year. avocadoes have been hard as concrete and go off so quickly this year if I can find them.
Not much basil etc,..))Not to moan unneccessarily but it is hard trying to find good combinations for smoothies and dishes that taste good — from raw that is.
jessica on September 1, 2007 11:05 pm
the raw summit was very informative. thank you.

someone just posted on the toxicity on cacao. this concerns me very much. perhaps raw summit can interview some people on this?

i recently heard david wolfe talk about its great benefits.
Edna on September 2, 2007 12:07 am
Thanks Kevin for organizing the Raw Summit. Great job! Though I missed the first two speakers, I enjoyed listening to the remaining ones and learning about their experiences on the raw food diet.

Like most people who are consuming the raw food diet, I was lead to this lifestyle because of bad health. For more than 20 years, I suffered with chronic asthma & inhaler addiction. I also had arthritis and was overweight. After years of researching and many trials and errors with various nutritional products, I was introduced to this lifestyle in 2002 and for the first three years that followed, I was consuming 99% raw food (today, I’m about 80-85% raw).

Even though my health improved and I lost a lot of weight (too much to tell the truth), I continued to have health challenges. Because I refused to settle for anything less than vibrant health, I continued my quest to determine what was happening to my body, but more importantly, what I could do to reclaim my health.

What I learned has changed my life and catapulted my health to new heights. I discovered that even though natural, raw foods have the highest quality and more nutritional value than cooked foods, they LACK ALL OF THE VITAL NUTRIENTS OUR BODY NEEDS to maintain health and longevity. On her call, Victoria Boutenko alluded to a lack of nutrition and the fact that some of her health challenges returned after a period of time. This deficiency is due to the modern-day farming practices and depleted soils on which our plants are grown.

I realize that those who have regained their health and continue to feel great after several years may disagree. However, the facts, as pointed out below don’t lie.

The Congress of the United States has been aware of this deficiency for more than 70 years. Here are three quotes (an Agricultural Testament) by Sir Albert Howard in Senate Document #264 adopted by the second session of the 74th Congress:

“The impoverished soil of America no longer provides plant foods with the mineral elements essential to human nourishment and health”. He went on to say, “Laboratory tests prove that the fruits, vegetables, grains, eggs, and even the milk and meats of today are not what they were a few generations ago.” He continued, “No man of today can eat enough fruits and vegetables to supply his system with the minerals he requires for perfect health because his stomach is not big enough to hold them”.

In that same Senate Document, Dr. William A. Albercht summed it up as follows: “Depleted soils produce deficient foods and deficient foods bring us ill health… two food items may look alike, but one may have everything that a food should have because it was grown on healthy soil while the other is worth no more than a glass of water if grown on sick soil”. These statements were made over 70 years ago! Now, you decide whether our plants are more or less devoid of nutrients today than 70 years ago?

In my opinion, this lack of nourishment, despite consuming a raw food diet, explained why I was unable to completely regain my health. Armed with this knowledge, I set out on another quest to find products that could supplement my raw food diet and provide the proper nourishment I needed for complete recovery.

Fortunately, I found those products. They are not the typical vitamins and minerals sold on the market today. Instead, they are WHOLE HERBAL RAW FOOD products. That’s right, THEY ARE NOT COOKED and are based on the ancient Chinese Philosophy of Regeneration (e.g., a properly nourished and cleansed body has the innate or God-given ability to maintain optimum health and ward off disease). These foods are formulated and self-manufactured by a world renowned Herbal Pharmacist.

I’m now confident that my body is receiving the proper raw food nourishment as well as the raw fruits and vegetables as my table food. Due to my schedule, some days I’m unable to prepare a raw food dish. However, because I’m consuming these whole foods, my body still receives the proper nutrition. They are in powder form and very portable.

Though I’ve been consuming these foods for less than two years, asthma is no longer a problem and I’m no longer addicted to an inhaler. Also, arthritis vanished and my weight stabilized, after regaining my ideal weight. Today, at the age of 63, I have more energy and feel better than I did in my 20s - not to mention the spiritual growth and peace of mind I’m experiencing.

I’m sharing this information because I want everyone to understand that, in most cases, the raw food lifestyle alone is not sufficient to achieve AND maintain LONG-TERM HEALTH. It has nothing to do with whether the raw food is organically grown, but more to do with the fact that it is deficient in vital nutrients, which results in cellular undernourishment.

In addition to the raw food diet and whole food nutrition, I teach in my seminars, ten additional lifestyle choices that lead to vibrant health. These are the choices I organized and followed on my journey back to health, and I’m a healthy representation of what I teach.

I sincerely hope this message serves as a beacon of light on your raw food lifestyle journey. In addition to the information you heard on the Raw Summit calls and that posted on this blog, I urge you to do your own research.

May vibrant health be yours forever!

Edna
Health Renegade on September 2, 2007 2:51 am
Almost as an aside, I’d like to clarify my comments about macrobiotics. In the late 1960;s I was a Medical Photographer in a large midwest medical center. As such I spent a lot of time in the ER. About 6 months after the “macrobiotics fad” (as opposed to what was really being taught) swept the campus, almost daily we took in the overflow from the University Hospital of people with severe B-12 difficiency.

The problem was that well meaning people Believed that since the “optimum diet was only brown rice,” they jumped all the hurdles and felt that was for them.

The problem which I was intending to highlight and raise caution, is the vast difference between Believing and Listening.

As raw foodists (define for yourself what that means to you) we need to be aware of those who have erred in the past. Simply the act of straying from the status quo of “cooked foods” gives all of us a wonderful opportunity to cultivate the art of Listening. Throughout the ages, in most cultures, the ability to retreat within one’s own consciousness has been seen as a path of wisdom. There are many ways available, but here, on this blog, we are concerned with Listening as it arises from the consumption and practice of raw food.

As none of us possess The Truth, it is as if we are all blind, surrounding the elephant of raw food. Each of us has our experiences, each of us interpret those experiences in our own way, and each of us gives feedback to each other. There is no one Right Way, no Optimum Diet for Everyone. The Raw Summit, the guests, and contributers to this blog are adding to that understanding. May each of us deepen our Listening and continue to bring our increased understanding (and problems) to this blog.

With thanks and gratitude to Kevin for implementing the Raw Summit, to each of the guests he interviewed, to everyone who has taken the effort to contribute to this blog, I hope that we may develop a broad reference source for ourselves, as we grow in our own understanding, and as a point of entry for newbies.
Ann on September 2, 2007 1:19 pm
The reason for the success of the macrobiotic diet (for a time)is explained by Fred Bisci (speaker on the raw diet and on it for 40 years). To quote Fred: “It’s what you don’t eat that makes these various diets successful.” That’s why, he says, even a Zone diet will help many people. They leave out a lot of junk. The same with many or most other diet fads. With the macrobiotic diet, people eliminated much of the junk that they had previosly been eating. So they had good results. This does not, however, mean that the raw diet is not a diet superior to all of them. I think it is!
dj gorgeous on September 2, 2007 5:09 pm
I am new and recently discovered Raw Living. My parents brought me up as a vegetarian, so the transition was not that hard. I am perhaps about 75% raw, very rarely do I eat cooked foods. I mostly eat fruits, and super foods w/a green smoothie.

I do have some factors that have turned me off from the Rawtherians (or whatever we label this movement):

1. The Cult Factor….wow! One thing: there is a fine line between devotion and fanaticism.
2. The Confusion Factor: I listened to all the speakers, and I left MORE CONFUSED than when I started. One guy says eat raw chocolate, the another one says don’t; one eats fruits only, another said to eat greens only. I asked via email a number of questions to some of the presenters with my diet and asked them to get some opinions on it, and that confused me even more:

a. you are not eating enough greens
b. you are eating to many fruits, to much
sugar
c. you are not eating enough fruits
d. drop the raw chocolate
e. add more raw chocolate and superfoods

ETC, ETC, so I am kindah closing my ears and decided to take the information that resonates with my body, mind and soul at the NOW and created my own method that enlightens me. So I guess, I consider myself a Freetarian, if i had to put a label to it, which I don’t…since labels are not the action nor the result.

I have to admit that I find the answer and peace in Tao:

There is no way to “X” (be it nourishment, happiness, etc,) since “X” is the way
peter on September 2, 2007 5:25 pm
ok. wow. it took a while to absorb all of what has been written. thanks, all so very much. it seems the theme of figuring out for oneself what works is most commonly recurring.

i’ve been in and out of live foods for a few years, going back and forth, passing through states of profound centeredness as well as those of great confusion…such is the path. i give thanks for all of this.

committing to truth, we are all walking a very fine line; we each live in a world where things seem to function in certain ways and so we make decisions accordingly about what to do, what to eat etc. But we also live in a world that is not really what we perceive it to be- a world that actually comes from our own mind.

one day we need this much food to keep going or to stay grounded and the next we don’t even think about it because we’re so connected to our source that the sense of being hungry doesn’t even come.

from my own struggles, this is what i can offer because some loving teachers passed it on top me. they were talking about the fact that some people can practice yoga for years and years and never really get anywhere with the practice because they forget to start with the intention, the motivation that what they are doing is for others. our so deeply-rooted habit of thinking about what WE need can really undermine the whole process.

maybe for some, this is not really where we want to bring our minds, but maybe it really is the key to the whole thing…that how we care for and treat others is truly what makes us happy and nourished-that establishing the intention that everything we do, such as eating food, is help all beings be free of suffering. and maybe we can eat our raw foods with the intention that we will become healthy and clear minded for the purpose of helping other people.

thanks 2 u all so much.
Give Ketring on September 3, 2007 2:52 pm
How wonderful that there is so much interest and passion in this topic. How wonderful that there is so much diversity.
It is clear that many feel that some of the opinions that have been offered during the summit have caused a lot of confusion but it is not clear how to resolve this confusion. please consider this offering:

The generally offered opinion or answer seems to be “listen to your body.” Some offer that the decision should be based on what “feels good” or right. Others offer that you should perform your own research - but that path may lead to more confusion due to the fact that you will always find that which you seek - correct? Example: There is strong evidence that coffee and caffeine have health benefits, as does wine, as does an aspirin a day.
Yet, one must be cautious when listening to what their body wants or what feels good, because addictions exert their own influence and can speak quite loudly.
Ego, too, plays a huge role. How much one eats, when and how eating happens, what one eats, is all influenced by ego, which in reality doesn’t give two hoots about your health.
The body in which you exist, is simply a glorious, complicated organism; a machine if you will. And, like any machine, it has physical requirements to maintain optimal function. The machine in which you exist must be exercised, must be cleaned and fueled, and of course must be protected and respected.
Confusion is both a construct and result of Ego because Ego dictates that exercising and ingesting the required fuel also be pleasant. Having to have food taste good is the root cause underlying most of the problems humans face relative to food. The body itself, does not care - no it does not care - ego cares.
Instead, the body, actually the individual systems of the greater organism especially at the cellular level, seek continuance. Every living cell in the universe seeks continuance: seeks life.
So, when one eats mindfully, meaning being present with the food,
in a state of calm, or peace,
(perhaps even feeling gratitude or joy,)
when the mind is occupied with uplifting thoughts, or other “good feelings”
the body is receiving signals that the body is prospering or ‘life is good’ -
In this state, the body obviously does NOT have to respond to counter stressful signals pulsing through the nervous or circulatory system. The body does not then have to invest energy to neutralize the harsh demands imposed by stress, negative emotions or otherwise harmful (anti-life) thinking - which may also include confusion. Consider the idea that perhaps the body confuses or at least co-mingles the signals created by the mind and those coming from the food. Wouldn’t that create a less than beneficial outcome?

Eating while in a state of serenity, present with the food, as opposed to mindlessness or agitation, allows the body optimal function: the body is able to extract the useful material from the food that was eaten and the rest will be effectively discarded - This is an ability nature has evolved in the human body.
And, perhaps, as someone already suggested, if eating while maintaining uplifting thoughts creates life-promoting signals in the body, well…..you take it from there.
But, to say that man was not designed to eat meat, or to say that man was designed to eat only vegetation, either way, that is Ego speaking. Humans have eaten insects, small animals and eggs as well as any chewable vegetation since the beginning of time. Certainly, there is a distinction between eating to survive and eating for optimal health. And, of course, there is compelling evidence that supports making eating a pleasurable experience whenever possible is beneficial. Yet, try to set aside Ego and evaluate the whole eating situation as you would the maintenance of your house or car. What does the body need to run efficiently or optimally? What does it not need? If you do not know - remove yourself from the equation and look at the food for what it is, and be honest. Would another mammal eat it, particularly apes? How would you feel feeding what you are about to eat to an animal in the wild?
We do not seek to simply live. For that we only need calories. No, we seek to thrive - would your cells thrive on what you are feeding them? That is the question to ask yourself.
This approach should put an end to your own private confusion. (Confusion in the world will always exist - that is diversity.)
And, remember, the intelligence that went into the creation and evolution of the human body far exceeds your own. Trust it.
Peace -
Lyric Kayne on September 3, 2007 11:36 pm
I agree with Give’s comment that Ego drives many of our decisions and leads us down faulty trails. Maybe if I follow her advice I won’t be confused about food, but now I have another worry.
I’m a little concerned about her comment that all cells seek life. That sounds true, resonates with me is the phrase, but that kind of logic would mean that cancer cells also want to live. And what about bacteria? Are bacteria simply little cells? Do they also seek life? How do you get bad cells to die off? Or do you get them to somehow switch allegiance and start being good cells? I saw the pictures of frozen water crystals in Dr Emoto’s book after people said good or kind words. I saw the experiment where two containers of rice were either cursed and shouted at or they were praised and thanked. The containers that were praised fermented pleasantly and the containers that were shouted at rotted and were said to smell putrid. Can our cells change like that?
If they can, does it matter what we eat? Also, Dr Chopra once talked about an experiment about two groups of rabbits that were fed high cholesterol diets. One group was also stroked and held as they were fed. The stroked group didn’t show symptoms while the other group did. This experiment also implies that our thoughts about food changes the way food affects us.
But I would tend to believe that all the positive thinking in the world is not going to bring our food back to life if the enzymes have been cooked out. I think the best it could do is cause it to be neutral or less harmful than it would have been. So then eating live, raw food must be good for us. Maybe that’s the differnce between eating to live and eating to thrive.
Any comments?

I also want to thank everyone for letting think out loud in this forum… I do feel less confused now. Wow - thanks!
Lori Zabrodski on September 4, 2007 2:40 am
I loved the summit but wish I had heard it first before starting raw and buying so much stuff related to it, like food and books, appliances. It just bugs me that there is SO many different opinions on this way of eating. It is hard enough for one starting out, but to get so much conflicting info really sucks. I think the one who made most sense to me was Brenden Brazier, altho I did have both his books and use his meal replacement before hearing him. The fact he is an athelete that can stay vegan and mostly raw is a great testament to that way of eating.

One thing that wasn’t mentioned that I can remember is what do people who live in small towns and/or cold climates in winter do when it comes to getting the food. For eg, I have never seen a collard green, actually ALOT of greens I have read about are nowhere to be found where I live. In winter here there is very limited fruit selection, none of it fresh. The veggies are not fresh either. Forget about finding organic! Then there is the price, my food bill has been crazy since eating this way! It is sad that healthy has to cost so much. I also don’t know if I can keep eating cold or room temp food when it is -40 and some hot food would help heat me up!

I have been to sites where one can get help getting cleansed or learn to cook and eat raw and the prices are outrageous. I guess poor people are not allowed to get the same help as those well off? It almost seems too much of a business and let’s take advantage of this while it lasts, altho I do hope it lasts forever, says the vegan in me. One way to get people to stop eating animals!

Well there is my 2 cent vent. Just hope I can stick with this thru the winter when selection is not great, when I crave hot soup and I start putting my groceries on credit card.
Laurie on September 4, 2007 4:40 pm
Just a note to a previous email: To the best of my knowledge Dr. Graham is in no way against sodium, but rather salt, as it is inorganic. Sodium is necessary for all humans, as is found naturally in fruits and vegetables. As a fellow athlete and (5 year) 100 raw foodist I have found the best source of this is celery, and lots of it!
Char on September 6, 2007 3:22 pm
Thanks Laurie - I will remember that about celery. But, maybe you can answer this, what about long distance workouts/races i.e. 2 hours or more? I use Brandan’s energy bites which have organic sea salt. The thing is, I can’t eat something like celery while running, and living in FL I sweat so much that it wouldn’t provide adequate replacement. Also, when I cut my protein down to levels Dr. Graham recommends, I am a mess! But I have a lot of muscle mass, so maybe my needs are different. The raw protein powders that are available are a great tool in my quest for fitness! I agree with so many of the posts that promote listening to your body.
SweetClara on September 12, 2007 2:22 am
Dear Lori…
just a few notes for your winter questions. It is very inexpensive to sprout your own nuts & seeds during the winter for fresh “veggies” ie lentils, peas, sunflower sprouts, quinoa, radish, wheat grass, mung beans, etc. Also you can grow greens in pots or tubs quite eaily ie dandelion greens, chinese mustards are very hardy if you have a window with some light. As for warm food you can warm your raw soups–just don’t go above what you consider the top temp usually between 98 to 118 degrees. You can drink warm herbal teas or miso soup in the winter or a nice cup of nut milk cocoa.

Char…. juice your celery and drink it while you run…you can also dilute it with filtered water if you like.
Jean on September 15, 2007 11:44 pm
Dynamite postings to read, digest and ponder!

Grateful to have been a part of the Raw Summit - thank you, Kevin!

So many of the sentiments that have been so eloquently lodged up to now both for the raw food benefits as well as “the-verdict-is-still-out” questioners as to the efficacy of such a lifestyle resonate with me as well…that’s why I don’t believe I could be 100% anything at any given time in my life - and I don’t believe the benefits have to be bestowed in those concomitant ratios, because so many factors as “intention” have to come into play as was brought out. Although, empirical proof is just that; results! So the key guideline for myself is how it affects me, my body, my mind, my soul!

My own experience has been coming off the typical SAD lifestyle by experimenting a few years with my nutrition, cleansing as well as detoxing off all medications after going to a holistic school, Institute for Integrated Nutrition, in NYC…wi

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