The Raw Food Diet » Healthy Living

John Mackey, Whole Foods and the Wild Oats Merger

Raw Food — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 00:53:46 +0000

According to an article published by CNN, John Mackey (the CEO of Whole Foods) feels singled out by the FTC's attempt to block the Whole Foods/Wild Oats merger.

Whole Foods is the largest seller of organic and natural food, and it had planned to acquire Wild Oats, until the planned merger was blocked by the FTC (for anti-competitive reasons). Mackey says:

Critter Control – Vegetable Gardening

Raw Food — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:59:21 +0000

In my earlier post, I mentioned how I was growing some organic vegetables.

Unfortunately, I'm having trouble keeping the deer away. They are eating the young plants. The zucchini is doing well, though. For some reason, the deer don't find zucchini too appealing. :-)

Dangers of Vaccines

Raw Food — Mon, 21 May 2007 16:04:27 +0000

A friend of mine just recently gave birth to her first child, and she has been dealing with the issue of vaccination. Based on what I've read, I am against vaccinating infants. An infant's immune system is not yet fully developed and I think it's absolutely foolish to inject live viruses into a tiny body that is only 2 months old.

75% of Americans Don't Know They're Eating Genetically Engineered Foods

Raw Food — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:21:27 +0000

According to the Pew Initiative on Food & Biotechnology, most Americans don't realize they're eating genetically engineered foods.

89% of soybeans and 61% of corn acreage in the U.S. is currently genetically engineered (and soy lecithin and corn syrup are found in many mainstream food products). Despite this, 75% of people surveyed don't think they've ever eaten food with genetically engineered ingredients.

Intelligent Children More Likely to Be Vegetarian

Raw Food — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 02:19:15 +0000

Intelligent children are more likely to become vegetarian as adults, according to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal.

According to ScienceDaily…

The study found that higher IQ at the age of 10 years was associated with an increased likelihood of being vegetarian at the age of 30. This relation was partly accounted for by better education and higher occupational social class, but it remained statistically significant after adjusting for these factors.

No Such Thing as a B12 Deficiency?

Raw Food — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:54:16 +0000

According to Dr. Vetrano, there is no such thing as a B12 deficiency because the body gets B12 coenzymes from bacteria in the intestinal tract and from natural plant foods. Dr. Vetrano argues that the real problem is one of digestion and absorption. Namely, failure to digest, absorb and utilize the various cobalamins from food and natural sources (i.e. bacteria in intestinal tract).

Healthy Halloween Treats–17 "Non-Candy" Goodies

Raw Food — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 20:49:32 +0000

This year, I will be spending Halloween at my sister's house, and since she lives in a subdivision, we will be passing out "tricks and treats" for a couple of hours. I can't—in good conscience—pass out candy that will wreak havoc on little kids' bodies and cause cavities, so I've been thinking of alternative options.

Dangers of Amalgam Dental Fillings

Raw Food — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 20:52:24 +0000

In my earlier post, I wrote about the importance of finding a dentist that does not use amalgam fillings. So, what's wrong with amalgam fillings? Well, to begin with, look at the composition of amalgam.

Dangers of Milk—52 Reasons to Avoid Dairy

Raw Food — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 23:53:20 +0000

Milk Contains Toxic Levels of Dioxins

"The level of dioxin in a single serving of the Ben & Jerry's World's Best Vanilla Ice Cream tested was almost 200 times greater than the 'virtually safe [daily] dose' determined by the Environmental Protection Agency."

-Steve Milloy, author of junkscience.com (Milloy tested samples of ice cream for dioxins. The only major newspaper to report the story was the Detroit Free Press). 11/8/99

Vegetarian Awareness Month

Raw Food — Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:55:00 +0000

October is Vegetarian Awareness Month. How cool is that? To celebrate, I'll be posting a series of articles on vegan diet and lifestyle. Some interesting statistics…

The vegetarian food market is growing at a rate of 100 percent-plus every year.

Back to Nature–Ecopsychology, Schumann Resonance

Raw Food — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 02:49:03 +0000

From the magazine, Natural Awakenings,a free alternative health magazine that I picked up at Whole Foods…

Most people today lead excessively nature-separated lives. Some doctors believe that this disconnect leads to poor mental health. Ecopsychologists believe that reconnecting people with nature will improve mental health. Anyone who's experienced nature—whether in open backcountry or a sunny backyard, whether in the context of sea or stars—knows how nature renews and re-creates us.

Meet Your Meat—Why Eat Vegan?

Raw Food — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 03:57:48 +0000

If you eat meat, or know someone who does, please pass this video on to them. This video depicts the way animals are used and abused for human consumption. It is disgusting from a health perspective. From a compassion/decency standpoint, it is simply horrifying.

Dangers of Body Piercing at Accupuncture Points–Energy Meridians & Long-Term Health

Raw Food — Mon, 25 Sep 2006 02:24:22 +0000

While reading an alternative health magazine, I came across an interesting comment in an editorial column. In the column, a local chiropractor mentioned that metal body piercings are typically inserted at prime accupuncture points, and can block energy, disturb meridians, and cause long-term heath problems.

Dangers of Chemical Hair Coloring & a Safe Alternative

Raw Food — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 23:17:20 +0000

I'm always surprised to see nutritionally savvy people (organic vegans, raw vegans, holistic health care practitioners) with dyed and chemically processed hair. I think there is a huge lack of awareness when it comes to the dangers of chemical hair coloring.

Dangers of Parabens, Chemicals, and Synthetic Ingredients in Body Care Products

Raw Food — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 02:45:54 +0000

What you put on your skin, face, and scalp is *just* as important as the food you put into your mouth. Be sure to read the label on all skin care and body care products.

Raw Food Video

Raw Food — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 07:37:00 +0000

A video of Paul Nison giving a presentation on raw foods. The video quality is kind of blurry/spotty, but the content is great.

Take-aways from Paul's presentation

1.) Strive to eat a majority of "high quality foods." High quality foods possess these 4 characteristics…

New Raw Vegan Skin Care Products

Raw Food — Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:18:54 +0000

Even though many people eat healthy, they often put toxins in their body by unknowingly using harmful skin care products (lotions, perfumes, soap, makeup, etc.). Reading the label on your skin care products is just as important as reading the label on the foods you eat.

Eating Raw for Humans and Pets

Raw Food — Wed, 17 May 2006 05:30:00 +0000

A recent article, published by DailyIndia.com (out of New York) describes eating raw for both humans and pets.

The Raw Food Diet
by Sylvia Riley

The raw food diet is as much a lifestyle as an eating plan; a naturalistic approach which excludes, in addition to cooked and animal foods, processed and refined ingredients. In the ever-hungry quest for new fads and health panaceas, the raw food diet, with adherents such as Woody Harrelson and Donna Karan, is growing in mainstream popularity. Unlike many other bandwagons however, raw foods (also referred to as 'living foods'), offer unarguable health benefits and one can reap rewards even as a 50% dabbler. To be a 100% extremist takes commitment, discipline and education and is best introduced gradually to avoid the overwhelm of inevitable detoxification.

Crisis and Habits

Raw Food — Thu, 06 Apr 2006 00:24:00 +0000

Crisis is a powerful reason for change…or maybe not.

From EarlytoRise.com:

"In a recent study, 90 percent of patients who had heart bypass surgery continued to live a lifestyle that worsened their condition and threatened their lives. If a life-and-death situation won’t get them to change, what will?

Walmart to Offer More Organic Food

Raw Food — Sun, 02 Apr 2006 23:21:16 +0000

Walmart will begin offering more organic food, according to a news article. According to Reuters, "Wal-Mart is the top U.S. grocery seller and also No. 1 in organic milk sales. It carries organic baby food, juice, produce and pasta sauce, but will be expanding its offerings to include products ranging from pickles to macaroni and cheese." Maybe more people will buy organic produce if Walmart begins actively supplying its stores with organics.

Raw Cacao (Chocolate)–Dangerous?

Raw Food — Sun, 19 Mar 2006 22:00:30 +0000

This is interesting. There was a Chocolate in the Raw class taught last Saturday by Jeff Rogers, of Naughty Vegan in Seattle. Recently, there seems to be a lot of controversy over whether raw cacao is healthy and beneficial for you. Everybody seems to be promoting cacao (also known as "raw chocolate") as "healthy."

Staying on Raw, Living Foods–Avoiding Backsliding

Raw Food — Wed, 08 Mar 2006 21:43:25 +0000

Interesting article on how to stay on a Raw Food Diet.

Staying on Raw & Living Foods: How to Avoid/Minimize Backsliding
by Tom Billings

Following a raw or living foods diet can be difficult, given the general stress of living in modern times, and the prevalence of junk food and cooked food. One is often tempted to take the path of least resistance, which is usually junk or processed foods.

Raw Food Helps 50-yr. old woman "Cure" Epstein Barr, Mononucleosis, Hypoglycemia

Raw Food — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 21:17:51 +0000

From the Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel… 50-year old woman finds a cure for Epstein Barr, mononucleosis, and hypoglycemia with raw foods…

Rx For Raw Recipes
by Peggy Townsend

Robyn Boyd says her symptoms began when she was 10 years old. She would have debilitating headaches that required shots of Demerol to calm. Then came bouts of hypoglycemia, Epstein Barr and mononucleosis that left her weak and exhausted, she says. Anxiety attacks followed and, finally, after a day spent painting the baseboards of her house with oil-based paint, she collapsed, poisoned by the volatile fumes it gave off, she says. Barely able to pull herself out of bed, the petite, sandy-haired woman turned to a cure that didn't come on any prescription pad: Food. Specifically, raw food.

Raw Food Quotes

Raw Food — Sat, 13 Aug 2005 19:25:58 +0000

"It's been said that half the fuel used in the world goes to the cooking of food. We use more fuel for cooking than we do for driving our cars.

Interesting article from Vegan Society about raw food, sunlight, and B12

Raw Food — Sun, 31 Jul 2005 19:10:51 +0000

From Vegan Society…

Healthy Choices on Raw Vegan Diets
by Stephen Walsh, PhD

A raw food vegan diet may be defined in various ways, but usually entails at least 80% by weight being raw plants. Many people report feeling healthier and more energetic on adopting such diets, but there are too few long-term raw food vegans for direct evaluation of the success of raw vegan diets versus other diets. We can, however, evaluate such diets against known human nutritional requirements to gain a better understanding of the ways in which appropriate raw vegan diets could benefit health. Raw vegan diets comprise three key food groups: sweet fruit, high-fat plants and green leafy vegetables. Raw food authorities differ in the proportions recommended, some suggesting that 2% of calories from green leafy vegetables (about 300 g of lettuce per day) is sufficient while others recommend that about 30% of calories should come from green vegetables. Similarly, recommendations on high fat foods such as avocados, olives, nuts, seeds and cold-pressed oils range from a few percent to about 40% of calories. The Hallelujah diet founded by George Malkmus puts particular emphasis on carrot juice and barley grass, which contribute about 15% of calories.

Raw Food 101–Frequently Asked Questions

Raw Food — Fri, 01 Jul 2005 03:05:54 +0000

An introduction to the world of Raw Foods from Happy Cow…

What is Living and Raw Food?

Plant-based foods in their original, un-heated state are considered raw & alive. Raw foods may include fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, sprouts, grains and legumes in sprout form, seaweeds, microalgae, and fresh juices. These live foods contain a wide range of vital life force nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, oxygen) and live enzymes. Their nutritional properties are essential to the proper maintenance of human bodily functions.

Raw Food Quotes, and Thoughts on the Connection Between Health & Success

Raw Food — Wed, 25 May 2005 23:00:22 +0000

"Your food determines in a large measure how long you shall live–how much you shall enjoy life, and how successful your life shall be." –Dr. Kirschner

"Success is an accumulation of practicing fundamentals each and every day. Eating is a daily activity of vital importance which cannot be overlooked." –David Wolfe

Raw Foods and the Importance of Sleep

Raw Food — Fri, 20 May 2005 20:24:57 +0000

According to the book, Patient, Heal Thyself:

"Ground-breaking research on health and regeneration shows that sleep before midnight is up to four times more beneficial than sleep after midnight. The book goes on to state, "It is important to note that in Biblical times, and throughout ancient history, people would rise and retire with the setting of the sun. I believe this is the healthiest way for us to function today, resulting in improved digestion, immune system health, and mood. It is my experience that the amount and quality of your sleep, as well as the times you retire and rise, are as important to your health as diet, supplements and exercise."

West Virginia Woman Wins National Recipe Contest with a Raw Food Dish

Raw Food — Thu, 19 May 2005 20:11:15 +0000

According to a recent news article, a West Virginia woman placed second in a national recipe contest using a (mostly) raw food recipe. The article below was published in The Charleston Gazette on May 18th. The woman featured in the news article isn't totally "raw," but at least she's headed in a healthy direction.

Coca-Cola is Harmful–Another Reason to Ditch Sodas

Raw Food — Thu, 12 May 2005 00:54:00 +0000

According to farmers in India, Coca-Cola functions as a pesticide, killing unwanted insects. If Coca-Cola kills insects (just like a pesticide), imagine what Cola-Cola does to your body. If something kills living organisms (insects), do you think that you–as a living organism–will be exempt from the disastrous effect? I'm not saying that Coca-Cola will kill you. That's too extreme…but over a prolonged period of time, it certainly will have a harmful effect.