The Raw Path

Introduction to Raw Foods..

The commonly referred to Raw Foods Diet is not a “diet” that means a "temporary way of eating in order to lose weight", though people do tend to shed weight rather quickly if they have been carrying around excess pounds. This way of eating is a lifestyle. Raw foods are foods that are still alive, the life force remains in them. Raw means uncooked or unheated above 118 degrees Fahrenheit on average. Some foods lose nutrients at a higher or a lower temperature, depending on each plants individual tolerance to heat. For example, coconut oil can keep its structure and remain unchanged chemically at a much higher temperature then lettuce can. Raw means that the food is still alive and the nutrients have not been diminished or chemically altered by the act of heating the foods to high temperatures.

Many foods can be served warmed, if desired. This can be accomplished through the use of a dehydrator, a pre-warmed bowl, a carefully monitored hot plate or other heating device.

When shopping for food, it is preferable to choose organic as much as possible. Organically grown foods are raised without the use of pesticides, larvacides, fungicides and other toxins. Organic foods are not genetically modified foods that have been altered from their originally created state. Organic foods contain more nutrition because they are grown with better quality nutrients and better cared for. Organic also tastes better. Cut open two oranges, one organic and one conventional. Notice which one has richer color, scent and flavor. The difference is amazing! The organic orange is dark orange and juicy, while the conventional orange is not even a shade of orange at all- it is yellow inside!

Every species on this planet eats their food as provided by nature, living or raw. It is not a new thing or a fad, to eat raw. No plant, animal or human requires the use of a stove to be able to eat. To date, there has never been a single person or animal on this planet born with a stove attached to them. For hundreds of thousands of years on earth, humans have eaten their food raw. When we cook our food much of the nutrition gets destroyed and the food becomes harder for our bodies to properly digest. It has been shown that when foods (and even water) is cooked that the body has an immune system response when the substance is ingested. This is called digestive leukocytosis, it hasnot been shown that this increase in white blood cells (or pus) does not happen when foods are eaten in their natural state. The number of leukocytes in the blood is often an indicator of disease. Cooking only destroys many of the nutrients in food, it also destroys all of the enzymes that are naturally present in raw foods. Fire is destructive, it is not beneficial to living things. Put any living thing in a fire and see if the fire improves it or if it destroys the living matter. Plant two apple seeds in the ground, one cooked and one raw. Notice which one turns into a tree. The raw unheated apple seed has life force and the power to reproduce. The cooked seed rots and decays. If you want to get the most nutrition out of what you eat, then raw and living foods are for you.

Raw foods taste better too! When foods are cooked they usually need seasoning, or they end up tasting pretty bland and boring. Our modern tastes have become accustomed to lots of salt, sugar, spices and chemicals to make cooked foods more exiting and palatable. Once you adapt your tastes to food in its natural state, you will discover it is very delicious and satisfying.