Raw and living foods, although growing in popularity, are not a fad or a new style of eating; as some people are lead to believe. In fact, the consumption of raw and living food has been around for centuries and is more innate to us as humans than we believe. Before we as humans discovered fire we were eating right? No doubt we were eating, enjoying and surviving off food that was not ‘cooked’!
So what do I mean by raw food?
Put simply, raw food is food that has not been heat treated (i.e. ‘cooked’) typically above 117 degrees Fahrenheit or 48 degrees Celsius. The whole concept of raw food is that it is food that is still alive… it is still living; if you were to plant it – it would reproduce. Hence the term ‘living foods’. Food in this state has all its enzymes, oxygen and phyto-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) intact. Nothing is taken away because fire or high heat temperatures have not been applied.
So what do I mean by raw food?
Put simply, raw food is food that has not been heat treated (i.e. ‘cooked’) typically above 117 degrees Fahrenheit or 48 degrees Celsius. The whole concept of raw food is that it is food that is still alive… it is still living; if you were to plant it – it would reproduce. Hence the term ‘living foods’. Food in this state has all its enzymes, oxygen and phyto-nutrients (vitamins and minerals) intact. Nothing is taken away because fire or high heat temperatures have not been applied.
As someone who eats mostly raw and living foods, I often get asked: “So what do you eat?”
These days raw food dishes have become so exciting and creative that you can convert traditional favorite recipes (e.g. pizzas, brownies, ‘pasta’ and soups) into delicious nutritious treats made from all-natural raw ingredients. And you don't have to toil for hours in the kitchen in order to do so. Gone are the days of boring fruit plates and shredded carrot and cabbage ‘salads’! Many of my own personal favourites that I make at home (such as my super smoothies and raw vegan ‘sushi rolls’ or veggie wraps) call for common ingredients and basic kitchen equipment. Now there is absolutely no excuse for getting a minimum of your five servings of fruits and vegetables a day! Are you getting yours?
The benefits of raw and living foods are numerous! And scientific research is forever discovering the profound results relating to the impact of raw foods on our health – especially in the areas of common lifestyle disease prevention, and healing.
Many people turn to raw food for different reasons. I, simply just love the way it makes me feel! And I can personally relate to many of the following benefits. Hopefully, these benefits will inspire you to bring some more ‘life’ to your plate, and in turn more vitality and health to your life.
Some of the more impelling benefits why more and more people are either turning to raw food or increasing their intake are:
These days raw food dishes have become so exciting and creative that you can convert traditional favorite recipes (e.g. pizzas, brownies, ‘pasta’ and soups) into delicious nutritious treats made from all-natural raw ingredients. And you don't have to toil for hours in the kitchen in order to do so. Gone are the days of boring fruit plates and shredded carrot and cabbage ‘salads’! Many of my own personal favourites that I make at home (such as my super smoothies and raw vegan ‘sushi rolls’ or veggie wraps) call for common ingredients and basic kitchen equipment. Now there is absolutely no excuse for getting a minimum of your five servings of fruits and vegetables a day! Are you getting yours?
The benefits of raw and living foods are numerous! And scientific research is forever discovering the profound results relating to the impact of raw foods on our health – especially in the areas of common lifestyle disease prevention, and healing.
Many people turn to raw food for different reasons. I, simply just love the way it makes me feel! And I can personally relate to many of the following benefits. Hopefully, these benefits will inspire you to bring some more ‘life’ to your plate, and in turn more vitality and health to your life.
Some of the more impelling benefits why more and more people are either turning to raw food or increasing their intake are:
- To have increased energy
- To reach a healthy and natural weight
- To heal from illness and disease
- To reduce the chances of disease
- To strengthen the immune system
- To improve hormonal and reproductive health
- To detoxify the body naturally
- To improve colon health
- To improve skin
- To balance the body’s temperature, regardless of external conditions
- To aid better sleep
- To rejuvenate/reverse signs of aging
- To enjoy the beautiful vibrant colours of food in its natural state
- To explore a new world of taste and flavours
- To conserve enzymes
- To support farmers
- To save time in the kitchen (no long hours of cooking)
- To lower gas and electric fuel bills
- To lower one’s carbon foot print
- To save money in doctors’ and medical bills