It's Raw. It's Naked.

blog by: kim


Forgive me, for it has been a long time since I blogged. I ditch my personal blog at times for writing gigs that actually pay (hell, I didn't say pay much). But I like writing occasionally what I want, in the tone I want without a care about typos, formatting, editors or listing my sources.

I seem to be the type of girl that likes to have her hands in a few things. It's just who I am. It's not a bad thing~ so spare me the raised eyebrows. I have always been a self-confessed "foodie" and equally fascinated with all things healthy, especially as the years go by and I am more aware of what abusing our bodies can actually do to us. I watch in horror at what years of heavy drinking/smoking and eating has done to some people I know.

Raw, Creamy Banana Coconut Ice Cream

Nope, you won't catch me shaking my finger at you or playing the food police. Even I fall victim to a delicious dessert, an occasional plate of nachos or fresh, warm bread. When I stumbled across the trendy raw food scene, I was enamored. I was in love.

I dove into books & websites like www.rawfusionliving.com by Dr. Rose, Ph.d and read Raw Food/Real World by Sarma Melngailis ~ owner of Pure Foods & Wine in New York City. Note to self: must make it there to try the gourmet raw foods and see my friends who live there, but i digress. I also have Eating in the Raw by Carol Alt and a few more.

Before I dazzle you with the fact that celebs like Sting, Demi Moore and Donna Karan live by this way of eating; there is a very real reason it does a body good. Still with me? Why does raw food effect the body in the amazing way it does? ENZYMES. Enzymes are the spark of life. Most of us could care less about any of this and give zero thought to the crap we put in our bodies. Healthy enzymes that we need are basically killed off when food is heated. 

I am not talking about eating raw meat. I am primarily speaking of fresh, organic vegetables, fruits and nuts. When foods are heated above 116 degrees, their vitamins and enzymes become denatured and  inactive. When you cook food, you loose those vitamins. Think of it this way: fevers above 107 degrees are generally deadly because at that point our enzymes self destruct. Scientists have known for years that when you cook food, you loose vitamins and minerals and destroy enzymes. Raw Fusion explains this.

I don't believe in any extreme lifestyles or fad diets. I think even if you increase your raw veggies, nuts and fruits by 40% to 50% (my words) you will feel better, more vital, have less PMS, less sick days, drop weight, feel less moody, have more energy and a higher libido.

Get The Glow

This is a topic that has been greatly covered and many books have been written on it. I don't even begin to scratch the surface, nor am I am expert. I am like everyone else trying to find my way. I am learning too. I don't think I can be 100% raw, I love my breads too much. However, I equally adore fresh veggies and the feeling I get from eating this way, so I will happily drink a fresh, green smoothie loaded with kale, swiss chard, berries, bananas and apples. Mmm! I love going to Dr. Rose's Raw Foods classes because she feeds everyone all sorts of delish dishes and entertains us while educating us. Who doesn't need to be more empowered?

I will say- excessive drinking, smoking, chronic stress, a bad diet and sleepless nights will lead you to an early grave...and you'll probably feel like garbage in the years leading up to it. Many people have picked up the raw foods eating idea after suffering from serious health issues. That's not the case with me, so I can't speculate; but I read that eating this way clears up things from high blood pressure to diabetes to IBS to bad skin conditions, allergies, headaches, heartburn and  pre-cancerous conditions.

Go Raw. Live Long

So why do so few people eat raw or even have a clue what it's about? Because we are creatures of habit and we play "follow the leader". It's human nature. It takes time to undo deeply rooted habits, right or wrong. There's been a boom in health and wellness in recent years, as we have become a more educated generation. If you have always done something one way, why question it? Traditionally, some societies eat more raw foods than others. Not as much here in America, but it's changing. With concerns about increasing disease and obesity, people are becoming more aware. Right Sarma?

I have heard "eating raw makes my stomach hurt" This is temporary because your body simply isn't used to eating that way yet. I love the great recipes you can make raw. 
I added photos of some of the foods to this blog.

For the yummy recipes, refer to Raw Fusion recipes. www.rawfusionliving.com  Healthy alternatives to your favorite comfort foods. It's actually not as daunting as it all sounds. I don't "do" daunting anyway.

I'm respectful to the ways people choose to eat, this is not a fad diet~ just a return to eating simpler, less processed, less cooked and healthier foods.

Bon Appetit