Cook me Up Something Raw

Increase Raw and Increase Your Life!

We all know we should eat more vegetables, but what many of us don’t realize is that cooking foods actually destroys many of the vitamins and minerals that make that particular food good for us.  Simply put, cooking doesn’t add anything in; it only takes out.  Increasing Raw Food into your diet will successfully allow your body to get the vital elements, like oxygen, enzymes and phyto-chemicals, it needs to function optimally. The incorporation of raw food doesn’t just increase the longevity of your life, but your health, vitality and physical beauty as well.  Yes, raw foods can help your skin glow and even make your eyes brighter.  When we cook anything, we lose Hydrogen and Sulphur, which gives us the elasticity in our tissues and keeps us from wrinkling. Now isn’t being beautiful reason enough?

What is Raw Food?

Raw foods are much more than just fruits and vegetables; they are living foods consisting of berries, fruits, vegetables, roots, nuts, flowers, sea vegetables, germinated seeds and sprouts.  These living foods contain enzymes that help you detoxify and absorb nutrients.

Another reason to eat raw:
Meat and dairy increases our exposure to contaminants.  Therefore, increasing raw food decreases the amount of variables in your diet, which in turn, decreases your potential for cancer.

How much do I have to eat ?

If we want to get all scientific and stuff, then raw food should account for 50% of your diet.  When you eat too much cooked food and not enough raw food, your body has an increased white blood cell reaction called leukocytosis, which means your immune system gets activated and is put in a state of panic.  Basically, stop overburdening your body so it can stop freaking out on you.

I don’t think I can eat 50%…
Sounds intimidating?  Well it’s actually easier than you think!  Here are some tips how:

1. Juicing – Drinking your veggies are a great way to get nutrients into your veins and arteries with an absorption rate of 99%!  That’s even more than eating them and it’s faster too.

2. Avocados – are a great replacement for cheese and meats with its creamy texture. They also have the “good” fats that we need in our diet for neurological health and they will fill you up.

3. Nuts and Seeds – Grab a handful a day for the much needed phosphorous in your life.  The options are endless!  Experiment with Pumpkin Seeds, Pine Nuts, and Sesame Seeds sprinkled on top of your lunch. Or try out some nut butters like Peanut, Almond and Cashew as part of your breakfast.  Here’s a good tip – many seeds are a complete protein, such as Hemp, Flax and Chia, and are great in smoothies in lieu of that processed protein powder.

4. Sprouts – give us life force energy and amino acids to rebuild our tissue.  They detoxify the liver and break up fatty foods.  Even better, no chopping required!  Throw them on top of your salad or in your juice, especially when feeling sluggish or heavy.

5. Green Foods – If there is one reason to eat chlorophyll-rich foods, it’s because they help you smell better.  Yes, you heard right.  Chlorophyll is a deodorizer that eliminates bad breath and body odor.  Have some baby spinach, romaine lettuce, bell peppers, green olives or broccoli on your plate to keep you smelling sweet.  A shot of wheatgrass does the trick too!

6. Natural Sweeteners – such as honey are a good source of trace minerals.  Agave and Maple syrup are great options for when your sweet tooth hits.  Try them with some fruit, over some nuts or just a simple spoonful.

7. Flowers – Bet you didn’t think about eating flowers as a raw food. Violets are high in Vitamin C and Roses help bring on a sensual energy.  Just make sure they haven’t been sprayed with chemicals, which many commercial growers do.

8. Blending and Grating – Changing the composition of your raw food breaks down fiber for easier digestion, and more importantly, helps keeps things interesting. Try mixing grated Zucchini with Pesto Sauce to spice things up.  When blending, you can add more than you think – try a combo of nut butters, fruits, grass powders, and herbs for maximum effect.  Cacao powder (which is basically chocolate!) is a great addition and has the highest amount of antioxidants on the planet. Yum.

Vegan Pesto with Zucchini Noodles

Tropical Blueberry Smoothie

For more Raw Food Ideas and Guidance on Natural Living, follow me at:
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Sumitra Daswani is a Board Certified Health and Nutrition Coach and the founder of Born from the Earth, based in New York City.  She received her training at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where she was trained in more than a hundred dietary theories and practical lifestyle management techniques.  For a free initial consultation or an introduction to health coaching, contact her here.