Raw Thoughts on a Rainy Day

Free 60 page Raw e-book from Australia's Raw Food Community.

It takes courage to be healthy! It takes courage to experience the freedom
that comes with this autonomy. It takes guts to choose something authentic
over disapproval and to choose it time and time again. Have the courage to
accept the responsibility for your own choice. Have the courage to be the
very unique person you really are! We are always willing to pay someone to
give us our health.
We must instead, as Health Seekers, learn to do it for ourselves!!

Dr. Herbert M. Shelton

One of the great aspects of going raw is that soon you will notice that even though you have more energy and can get more done.. you feel calmer.

Raw foodists experience a real love of life.

You will notice a deep peace and happiness about them.

Different foods create different thoughts.

Article on electro-magnetic fields in foods and people by Dr Brian Clement - from Karen Knowler

Wild Animals know the Power of Raw

"The wild geese do not intend to cast their reflection;
the water has no mind to retain their image."

-Zen proverb

Keep it simple and stay close to nature.

Notes on Dishes from the Pot Luck

Pic from Garry's blog- If in doubt, Travel
This is Garry's 3rd year organizing monthly pot lucks here in Toronto. Thank you, Garry!

Notes - ingredient lists from some of the dishes at the potluck:

Guacamole – avocados, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lime juice, jalapeno pepper, chili powder, pepper and salt

Seaweed Salad – Arame, cucumber, red pepper, bean sprouts. Dressing: olive and sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, nama shoyu, ginger, cayenne

Salad - Greens, seaweed, sprouts, walnuts. Garlic-Ginger dressing

Spinach - Zucchini Raw Lasagna – Thin slices of zucchini layered with

Sauce: Tomato, sun-dried tomato, basil, oregano, salt, olive oil, garlic, ¼ hot pepper, 2 small dates.

+ Cheese: pine nuts, garlic, salt

Tamara’s Smoothie – Kale, ginger, strawberries, coconut, chia seeds, cacao. goji berries, agave and water

Fruit Platter – Papaya, Jackfruit, Pineapple, Mangosteen, Asia pear

Beet Salad – Yellow and red beets, carrots, parsnip, currents, olive oil, apple cider vinegar

Sushi – cauliflower, tahihi, avocado, tomato, lemon juice, processed together + broccoli and alfalfa sprouts + (soy?) sauce

Coconut-Date Cookies – Dates, cranberries, fresh coconut, goji berries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, maca, salba seeds, water.

Salad – Buckwheat sprouts, red pepper, cucumber, cauliflower, parsley, kale, soaked walnuts, dried cherries.

Salad - Sprouts, tomatoes, parsley, basil, ginger, lemon juice (no salt or oil)

Cookies - Raw almonds and sunflower seeds (soaked) cinnamon, apples, honey, cacao

Chocolate Cookies- Dates, coconut, oats, cacao, almond butter, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, salt

Raw Hummus – Chickpeas (sprouted), sun-dried tomatos, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cayenne.

Salad - Beet, kale, red pepper, green onion, hemp seed. Dressing: olive oil, nama shoyu, tahini, apple cider vinegar, garlic, basil and oregano

Black Forest Cake – Almonds, Cashews, Agave, Cacao,coconut butter, cherries.

Banana Chocolate Cream Pie – Bananas, avocado, dates, cacao, almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts

Pear Pecan Salad with Poppy seed Dressing – red leaf lettuce, bosc pears, pecans. Dressing: olive oil, nama shoyu, apple cider vinegar, agave, red onion, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, cayenne.

Dressing - Red miso, tahini, orange, lemon, ginger, garlic, green onion.

Beet Salad – Beets, leeks, avocado, lemon juice.

Mexican Bean Dip- Brazil nuts, brown lentils (sprouted), chipotle, lemon, orange, garlic, miso, ginger, chia seeds, nama shoyu, fresh cilantro and salt

Raw Sweet Potato and Beet Chips – potatoes, beets, olive oil, salt

Spicy Cinnamon KKOhm Truffles – raw cacaobeans, cold pressed cacao butter, coconut milk, maple syrup, cinnamon bark, chili peppers.

Raw Pot Luck Pics

Fred of KKOhm Truffles- Food not Candy!

Mark, Chantelle and Ezra of Living Nutrition

Tamara of Beyond Beliefs and my friend Bridgitte

Japanese acupuncture treatments, Chocolatada tonight & upcoming raw events

Hi! I had an interesting morning, I had a Japanese acupuncture treatment this morning (Christmas present from Mom! yay!!) ..and I am now feeling sleepy. I was told this would happen - it's the body healing.

I hope I am feeling more awake a little later, I would love to go to the New Moon Chocolatada tonight. DJ Carambola is great ..and I would love to hear the Harbour Sharks, a chocolate friend of mine is in the band. I think I should try to make it!

I had all kinds of treatments today, got the works.. I went once 2 years ago and I was in really good shape and I don't remember him doing nearly as many things to me. He remembered me when I called him on the phone "Oh, yes, you're the healthy one" : ) (yes!) ..and this time when I got there and we talked he asked what I am doing??!! My energy was pretty clear (esp. considering all the changes in life etc, they often show up) .. I told him just raw foods. He was skeptical, You know, he says I don't believe in that.. but you're doing something right. Chinese medicine says that everything should be cooked. Thats what he said last time.. "Just keep doing whatever it is that you are doing." He chalked it up to my genes at one point, said you must have very good genes..but I know that I have rejuvenated and that I became much clearer and healthier when I went raw.. why else would I be doing this? It's really quite phenomenal. I don't think most people realize that this level of feeling and being is attainable or even exists. Oh, and he told me I should be a healer, that I would make a great healer. I love that. One day, way in the future, maybe. You never know..

I still have needles in my back, they can stay in for a couple days. They are small, but I can feel them. Japanese needles are smaller than Chinese ones. He also did:

Moxibustion is a form of heat therapy in which the dried herb "mugwort" (artemisia vulgaris) is burned near the surface of the skin in order to trigger natural healing responses in the body. The use of moxibustion predates acupuncture, with records of the practice dating back many centuries B.C.

In Japan, scientists have found that the infrared radiation from burning mugwort is very similar to the natural infrared radiation in the human body. The result is that the heat from moxibustion penetrates deeply into the body, giving a warming effect which lasts for several days after the treatment. This kind of stimulation, at specific points on the body, can dramatically boost the immune system and trigger other profound effects, which include a reduction in blood coagulation time and an increase in adrenal activity.

Cupping - In China, archaeologists have found evidence of cupping dating back to 1,000 B.C. And, the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical textbooks in the world, describes the systematic use of cupping by the early Egyptians, as far back as 1,550 B.C.

Typically, cups are round vessels, 1" to 3" in diameter, and are applied to the body with vacuum suction. The vacuum is created either by means of heating the air inside the cup or by a mechanical pump. The result is that the cup creates an area of low pressure, causing the blood to gather under the cup near the surface of the body. Through this process, the circulation is dramatically increased around and below the surface of the skin where the cups are applied.

and other therapies. He used a vibrational machine which is commonly used by osteopaths - he held it down along my spinal cord and I could feel my whole body vibrating, very cool!

It was very fascinating! I love going to see him.. he's always amazed at how healthy I am. & that feels great. As I left he said "Ok, see you again in 2 years." Nice!

Oh, and also.. Coming up!

Tomorrow evening is the monthly raw potluck! It will be held again at Toronto Sprouts and starts at 7. I will be there for sure. Thats always lots of fun.

& on Monday evening I am helping Erika with her raw workshop - Fasting, Juicing and Youthing, also being held at Toronto Sprouts. Details at her website - Power of Raw.

"The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes from within the souls of people when they realize that their relationship... Their oneness with the universe & all its powers, & when they realize that at the center of the universe, dwells the Great Spirit, & that this center is really everywhere... For, It is within each of us."
-Black Elk

info & pics on Moxi & Cupping from here

Utrecht Aphorisms

"There is nothing supernatural about it, and besides it is inexpensive.You need no M.D.'s prescription and nothing from beyond the clouds. All that is required is your determination and your willpower; you have your own body right here to experiment with, and you have nothing to lose, but Health to gain. Is there anything easier? But you have to do it yourself. No one else can do it for you. My only task is to convince you of this beyond all measure of doubt, and you have the means by which to approach the status of a truly healthy man." ~William Utrecht from Be Your Own Doctor, 1921

Selected Aphorisms and Rules of Correct Eating by William Utrecht from Be Your Own Doctor

Food of today is flesh of tomorrow. What we are is the result of what we have eaten.

When it comes to food, please nobody! You alone will have to suffer if you make a garbage can of your stomach, not the one you were kind enough to accommodate.

The ideal diet is the mono-diet, or the eating of one kind of food only at one meal. This will at once eliminate over-eating. The more you mix the less health; the less you mix, the more health.

Whenever you eat anything that impairs digestion, or anything that clogs your digestive tract, or anything that constipates, you impair your general health, you eat yourself sick.

Whenever you eat anything that improves digestion, or anything that cleanses the digestion tract, or anything that is easily digested, you improve your general health, you eat yourself well.

Eat mostly fruits etc. that are in season, and grow in your section of the country.They are first of all more conducive to health, and besides cheaper. (this is nothing new)

There is no true hunger in the morning. Habit alone causes a fictitious desire for food.

We feel drowsy after a heavy meal of meat, while an apple, an orange, a bunch of grapes, a banana, berries, etc., will immediately refresh us.

As Nature cures al disease by fasting, it must be that wrong eating is the cause of it.

We do not lose health in one night, nor is it possible to regain it in one night.

Distilled water is dead matter. The best live water is that taken from a running brook, which has been purified by the sun.

Whenever digestion is disturbed, sleep is more or less restless. Fatigue and loss of sleep lower the vitality. Fatigue is only another name for toxic infection.

Certain causes determine certain effects. This holds true in regards to food. Bacteria live on dirt and filth. They would starve to death in a clean body.

Good sleep, like good digestion must be earned.

A disease prevented is better than a disease cured.Disease is not a local disorder, it is a constitutional condition.

Aterhov and the Raw Pioneers

I am reading an interesting article Keepin' it Raw by Riaz Dini..

"Arshavir Hovannessian, known as Aterhov, is considered by many the father of the raw food movement. In his book Raw Eating, published in 1960, he wrote,

"By giving up cooked foods and poisonous drugs, thousands of sensible people all over the world have cured themselves of their long-standing illnesses and are now able to enjoy a carefree life of health and happiness..."

Aterhov's book was the main influence for Nature's First Law.

David Wolfe from an article-interview with Bob Avery here

'Q: What advantages do you feel you have you acquired from the all-raw vegan diet?

A: Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins' mentor says, "For every disciplined effort in life, there is a multiple reward." A 100% raw-diet gives me a superior capacity to perform in everything I do. It has liberated my natural self and got me on track to achieving all my goals and desires. And it will do this for everyone who commits to The Raw-Food Diet. Because The Raw-Food Diet is the natural way of living, it brings everything to pass: health, happiness, wealth, freedom, love, and success.'

I have a friend who just ordered lots of old Raw Food Books. It is so fascinating to read the wisdom found in these books! Many of our present day raw leaders and gurus have gotten their information directly from these books. I was having a field day today looking through them.. just touched the surface, but what a goldmine!

wallpaper pic from Vitbup's Weblog

More Raw Videos

Raw Foods On E! Entertainment

However, I don't agree with the dietician at the end - shes saying its good to have a balance of raw & cooked. O Well, The rest of the video was great.

& Next up - Dessert. Ani Phyo making a raw Apple Pie
Ani's Raw Food Kitchen - ABC Channel 7 appearance

Scenic Dreams

Strategies for Starting a Raw Diet ..and Eating Raw Simply

I just got this great parcel in the mail today from my Mom. She sent me Juliano's Raw - the UNcook Book, which I have been wanting to get a copy of. I actually sent her this for her birthday or something and I had also sent my Matt Amsden's Rawvolution, to check out & which she prefers, so we are trading. Between Mom & I we have almost every raw book there is.. and quite a few we both have.

I love new books.. but I have so many on the go! ..and she sent 4 other ones!!
& a bag of her dehydrated sweet potato chips, which are amazing!!!
I have the best Mom ever. : )

So, more news, a friend of mine from Halifax is going raw soon also, in about 2 weeks.. which is close to the 15th. ..when my other friends are starting. cool.

She came to visit last year and it sounds like she got inspired and had been thinking of it since.. and now is ready to give it a go.

So we were on the phone last night talking about the basics about going raw. Equipment, favorite books, staples, and especially tricks.. like always making sure there is food available, something quick & easy to eat when you come home and are starving.. like even too starving to wait until a green smoothie gets made. You should have some pate in the fridge, crackers made.. always have something like that on hand. Have nuts soaked - nuts can be soaked and dehydrated, a bit of work - the easiest is almonds, which keep at least a week soaking in a bottle of water in the fridge - convenient & really good to have on hand.

Dehydrated foods can be made in bulk and store well in the fridge for a long time. These are foods like nut & seed bars, crackers or breads. They will keep for weeks or even months.

Always have bananas.. buy a few bunches at a time, at different ripening stages, you'll get used to the routine, but make sure you have enough at first - You can always peel them and stick them in the freezer of you ever buy too many (which is doubtful!)

Stock up on lots of fruit (unless for health reasons you are staying away from fruit, but thats another story & strategy) - treat yourself and go crazy in the produce section. Its fun and you always feel better at the checkout when our cart or basket is filled with fruits & veg.

Medjool dates are great - dates with their pit replaced by an almond is just dangerous.. they are so good, try to eat just one!

Always have a salad dressing made up in the fridge. Last month I was really into an oil & vinegar dressing with fresh herbs, garlic, dijon & balsamic vinegar (I know, not raw, but such a tiny amount for such great taste - if you're going 100%, omit those. .. apple cider vinegar is the only raw vinegar.

Now I am really into the Ginger Lemon Date Dressing I lived on for the past year& a half at work. It's so good. Actually for the past few days I have been focused & getting a lot done, and not spending much time prepping food.. even making salads, and one of my quick staples has been a big bowl full of mixed baby lettuces, with just raisins and pine nuts sprinkled on top & then dressing.
sometimes quick & easy is just the way to go.. other things to focus on besides food prep.

Another fairly quick meal I am into - cause I made 2 big bottles of Luke's Green Pate - is collard wraps.Take a collard leaf, cut out the tough stem bottom part.. spread a heaping Tablespoon of pate in the center (or more depending on how big the leaf), load up with sprouts and slices of tomatoes, salt&cayenne, if you like, roll up & eat. (This is pro-raw, for beginners maybe make lighter pate, like Mock Tuna (go to the recipe section from the link) ..and you can use romaine for the wrap, or raw Nori. Nori is what you wrap sushi with, usually it is roasted and green. Raw nori is dried and black and sometimes found in Japanese or Asian stores. There is a high quality raw nori available from Goldmine.

I made some Brazil nut milk yesterday.. it goes a long way, really enjoying it. I really like almond milk, but usually make Brazil nut milk when I am too lazy or don't feel like taking the time to strain. Not that its that much work straining but it seems to be that one step between doing it or not.. you know? & because of the Brazil nuts high fat content (natural fat is good if you are raw) they blend better.. so its like 4:1 water to Brazil nuts.. I usually make 2 c water to 1/2 c Brazil nuts, and add about 6 honey dates - I like it sweet.
I am really into Chai tea right now with this..and yesterday I even added some chocolate truffle mousse for the most amazing Chocolate Brazil Nut Chai tea ever!

wow, this turned out longer than I planned.. a bit of a recap Paige!
& ps. my website is like a 101 basic crash course on raw.

January 15th is looking like a good date to go raw!

Raw Respite

Time for a break. I have been really disciplined though today - finally - with this writing a book business. It's a very good thing.. but I realized I have not been posting a lot here. That partly is because of all the transition in my life. ..but I guess most of you who know me realize that.

But I am still here for you on the Raw front. ..and although I had a few lapsing raw moments, when I ate a bit of cooked foods, I did it consciously - for grounding and still very healthy choices. I am committed to get through this raw now though. & it does take commitment. when life is changing, you are out of routine & more emotional than usual.. & I am so thankful to have great support around me, most of all, my Mom! "Mom, that pot of rice that I just made the kids is looking pretty good right now!" lol Mom always, always, always makes me feel better!

Ok, exciting news.. I have 2 very close friends who are going raw on the 15th of January. This is going to be exciting to watch. (& more support for me! ..cause of course, the more you give, the more you get.. you know! )

"Think like a man of action, and act like a man of thought."
- Henri L. Bergson

"I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."
- Helen Keller

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there"
- Will Rogers

Raw in the News

As promised - raw content today ..just in time!
& that was close- Gotta Love YouTube!
Happy New Years!
& btw, just found series of videos from my fav raw chef.. will post them soon.

Raw Food Diet- Live on NBC News - Uncovers Raw Living Foods


Alkaline Diet - Live on CBS News - Is Your Health at Risk?