Choose Raw for Health, Vitality and Conscious Eating

Raw food diets are gaining popularity as more people seek better health and more energy—naturally. According to some raw food experts, eating raw guarantees optimum health. In fact, 80 million other species on the planet eat only raw, (lions, whales, gorilla, insects, etc.). So it must be good enough for us humans, right?

My friend and raw food guru, Juliano, says he eats raw—not because it saves him time and money; not for the infinite energy it gives him; and not because it helps the planet (instead of throwing away packaging and creating trash, he throws away seeds, which create life). He eats raw purely for the taste and pleasure. “Raw food has ultimate pure flavor, millions of textures, and beautiful effects on the body, mind, soul and environment,” Juliano says. “I’m not talking about 100 variations of salads. I’m talking about an ultra gourmet cuisine which fuses ancient and mystical food preparation with a modern and practical lifestyle. From sun-baked pizzas, vegan sushi, the best burritos, wild sprouted rice dishes to sangria and shakes, puddings and pies. So please, get the idea of wilted lettuce and bland carrots out of your mind!

Raw is cuisine in its real form—organic, from the earth, and uncooked. Raw food can be chopped, blended, pureed, juiced, dehydrated and combined with spices and herbs for a fabulously flavorful feast. All raw recipes are vegan (no meat, fish, eggs, or dairy) and alive.

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!

The Bay Area has its very own marvelous raw group of folks who meet up for pot luck dinner regularly at Regal Estates in South Shore Harbour to share food and friendship. Potlucker Sandy McAvin says, “Raw is the most sustainable ways of eating. Everything is compostable. Raw food people buy locally grow or grow their own food and save energy by not using the stove and microwave. Sandy is one of the founders of the Vegetarian Society of the Bay Area (www.vegbayarea.vpweb.com).

People come to the organic, raw, vegan food lifestyle for many reason, but one common link is for health reasons. Others are seeking weight loss, and some choose raw for “conscious eating”—choosing a diet that brings more balance and harmony to the planet. There are those who believe that you can cure any disease by changing your diet from cooked, depleted, processed foods to raw, nutritionally enriched foods with living enzymes.

According to vegan food authorities Elizabeth and Dr. Elton Baker, authors of The Uncooked Book, there is a wonderful new movement among adults toward taking responsibility for their own health and choosing to recover from disease through proper nutrition.  Commercially grown chemically sprayed and dusted crops, air pollution, bad water, highly processed foods with drastic loss of nutritional content and the overproduction and misuse of drugs have all contributed to health degeneration. People recognize how this contributes to disease and are choosing differently.

YOUR RAW JOURNEY BEGINS

How can you start your raw journey? Begin by adding one raw food to your diet each day. When you are ready, begin adding two raw foods daily and be conscious of the smells and flavors of your food. Plan to attend the next vegan potluck dinner meet-up group. They are warm and friendly folks and full of information. For more information contact Dinah Mack at Regal Estates www.dinahmack.com.

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Dinah Mack’s Nut Pate Recipe

2 cups of cashews

1 cup of almonds (soak nuts for 6 hours or overnight)

1/2 cup of red pepper

1/2 cup of shredded carrots

1/2 tsp turmeric powder

2 Tblsp each fresh basil and rosemary

1 tsp minced ginger

1 tsp fresh thyme

1 Tbsp of namu shoyu

1 tsp raw honey or agave

Blend in food processor until smooth. Amazing flavor!

Find more healthy and delicious recipes and watch Lisha cooking Indian and other raw vegetarian food at www.LishaTV.com.