DIET IS ONLY HALF THE STORY

Or perhaps it's even only a third.  More and more I'm starting to realize that health is less about what we eat, and more about how we live!

Nutrition is a crucial component to healthy living, of course, but it's even more relevant in the context of lifestyle.  It is equality important what we choose to think, how we feel, and who we surround ourselves with. If you’re eating all the right things (which can vary widely depending on who you ask), but you're holding on to negative or resentful emotion, you may not achieve your desired level of health no matter how "perfect" you believe your diet to be.  Stress, lack of physical movement, emotional pain, spiritual disconnection are just a few factors outside of diet that affect the quality of our health and well-being. 

For this reason, I would love to start shifting the conversation away from just raw foods and recipes, to a broader understanding of what healthy living is all about. You might see me talking more and more about things like joy, and creating a fulfilling spiritual practice.  In fact, if you haven’t visited the Raw Radiance website in a while, you may want to take a look (as it won’t be around for much longer).  I am currently in the midst of rebranding with a new direction and focus.  Stay tuned!  

If you have been following my blog, you may have noticed that I've taken some time off in recent months (more like an entire year).  There are several reasons behind my decision to step away.  Everything from feeling uninspired in my own diet and lifestyle, and wanting to be more fully engaged in my personal life.  But mostly, I think I just simply burned out.  

During my time away from blogging/social media, I have tried to regroup and redefine my vision and direction for my life.  I have spent a lot of time exploring so many other interests like interior design and reading up on parenting.  My hunch is that being a mama is the next big chapter in my life ;)

As far as my lifestyle goes, here's where I am today.  My diet is varied and I'm far more flexible with my eating habits.  I don't care to define myself by any particular lifestyle or diet.  And even though my path began with an interest in raw foods, I no longer feel the need to limit the conversation to just diet and nutrition. There's just so much more to health! 

I still prefer a plant-based approach as the core foundation of my diet, with a strong focus on dark leafy greens and algae (spirulina anyone?).  I have kept the basic principles of the raw food diet (green juices, green smoothies, green salads, etc).  In fact, juicing continues to be a daily foundational practice for me, as it always has been.  But I now enjoy animal products on occasion as well. I find that unpasteurized eggs, raw goat/sheep yogurt, wild-caught sardines, and yes, locally-sourced organic meat have beneficial nutrients harder to come by on a strictly plant-based diet.  

On the other hand, I'm also intrigued with the concept behind Dr Fuhrman's nutritarian diet. His focus is on maximizing the micronutrient concentration in foods per calorie count.  You can read more about that on www.drfuhrman.com.  However, I do feel this approach is a bit too strict for this stage in my life.  Restricted dieting is not exactly something I'm interested in.  My goal is primarily balance and flexibility in all areas of my life, especially diet.  

So here I am, on a quest to redefine my definition and approach to health.  My aim is to deepen my understanding of health and well-being from a broader perspective.  And so the journey continues!     

TO BE A 100% RAW, OR NOT TO BE?

One of the most common questions I get is, "Do I need to go 100% raw?"

In my opinion, not necessarily! It depends on what you are trying to accomplish.

For those who are dealing with an illness or disease, it may be necessary to intervene with a strict protocol to detoxify the body on a cellular level... to reverse the condition and heal the body.

For the majority of us, incorporating 50-70% raw fruits and veggies into our diet is optimal for long-term success.

The problem with trying to attain a 100% raw diet as a percentage, is that it’s easy to lose sight of whether or not the diet is balanced. Living on cacao, dehydrated crackers, and raw desserts is technically 100% raw, but is that healthy? For me, it’s less about the percentages and more about keeping my diet balanced.

The foundation of my diet is primarily leafy greens, in the form of green juices, green smoothies and green salads. I try to eat high water-content fruits and veggies in place of dehydrated foods. I also make sure to get in sea vegetables and micro-algae like spirulina and chlorella.

My non-raw staples include steamed/backed root vegetables, gluten-free grains, legumes, eggs and goat/sheep yogurt, etc. (Yes, I'm not vegan!)

The idea of all or nothing, or that all cooked food is poison is simply a thing of the past! It is far more important to focus on getting high quality, organic whole foods.

It is equally important to be at peace with the lifestyle we have chosen. If we're always stressed out about not eating perfectly enough or in a constant state of guilt, we've missed the point! I often see people struggle with raw foods thinking they have to be perfect 100% of the time, trying to live up to some unrealistic ideal. But it's not about perfection, it's about enjoying a healthy and balanced lifestyle... which is absolutely possible on a high-raw diet.

So before you jump in 100%, make sure to first lay down a strong, healthy foundation for your diet. If you do choose to go a 100% raw, I admire your courage. Just keep in mind that the raw food lifestyle is all about creating a healthy and happy life. And definitely remember to keep it balanced!

REPOST (10/1/2009)

FOOD, SEX AND PLEASURE

I keep coming across this strange idea that food is not something to be enjoyed, but rather something to be consumed strictly for caloric needs. Food is perceived as nothing more than fuel for the body - not a means to entertain the mind or amuse our taste buds.

But I have to ask, is it really so wrong to enjoy a beautiful, healthy meal while still feeling comforted and nourished on more than a purely physical level?  And is it productive to suppress our natural desire to experience pleasure from eating?

Like sex, food is an inherent drive for pleasure. This biological mechanism is built in for a very good reason.  It is nature’s way of reminding us not to forget to nourish our bodies, ensuring our survival.  Nature calls us to eat through desire, and rewards us with pleasure!  What a brilliant and beautiful concept.  (Not to be confused with the behavior of using food to reward ourselves.)

The pleasure experience is biologically designed to reinforce and encourage repeated behavior.  This is true as it relates to both sex and food.  Otherwise there would be little incentive to procreate or to take time for sufficient calorie replenishment throughout the day.

Why else would nature create such a variety of vibrant, colorful and flavorful foods, if not to delight the senses and keep us coming back for more?  Nature intended for us to enjoy and take pleasure in eating by biological design.  It’s all very beautifully orchestrated to lure us in for nourishment.  

We enjoy food outside of simply satisfying our hunger, much in the same way we enjoy sex outside of just procreation.  Cravings for food and sex are natural; we shouldn’t be so quick to suppress these desires!  If anything, we should embrace them with admiration, as they serve a very unique biological purpose.  

To say that eating for pleasure and comfort is somehow wrong is like saying that sex is a sin.  The trick is not to engage in these behaviors in access or in a destructive way.  Giving ourselves the freedom to express and enjoy these desires in a moderate, healthy manner is what makes or breaks it.

As long as the foods we indulge in are healthy, who says it is wrong to feel pleasure and comfort?  Sure, pizza and chips don’t count, but a healthy, comforting bowl of raw chili, minus the guilt, certainly does!  If we can stay present, why not soak up the pleasure and comfort?  It only turns destructive once we start eating out of boredom, or to fill an emotional void.  Seeking healthy alternatives for cravings is far more productive to our overall well-being, than living in a constant state of self-imposed deprivation.

Ideally, we should aim to enjoy healthy foods that also satisfy our taste buds and desires.  One way this can be achieved is by embracing nature's infinitely delicious variety.  In doing so, we naturally start to gravitate toward whole, natural options as we create a positive association with food.  

Health is not just about how we fuel the body or the calories we take in; it is equally about creating a beautiful, healthy and sacred experience.  It’s about enjoying and savoring the moment, rather than punishing ourselves with strict dietary rules and guidelines.  So give in to nature's sweet perfection, and indulge once in a while.  It really is okay!

For thoughts on how this relates to emotional eating, see my article Emotional Eating in Purely Delicious Magazine, Spring 2010 Issue!

GREEN SMOOTHIE OR GREEN JUICE?

It's the latest debate... which are you better off with, green smoothies or green juice? The way I see it, why not get best of both worlds? They are both absolutely wonderful and both play an important role in our diet.

If you ask me, green juices are great for quick nutrient absorption, whether it's first thing in the morning or as an aid to fasting and detoxification. Green smoothies are a great and convenient meal replacement, full of nutrients and hardy fiber.

In my own experience, I have found that incorporating both into my diet is most effective. I'll usually start my morning off with a low-glycemic green juice (see my Juice of Radiance recipe) followed by a green smoothie. This way I've hydrated and energized my body with a green juice, and then satiated my appetite with a green smoothie!

But I will say that my personal preference is definitely green juice! So much so, that I'll typically have another green juice later in the day... after my evening workout.

I love how refreshing and energizing green juice makes me feel, not to mention how hydrating it is for the skin. I would even go as far as to say that green juice is truly nature's fountain of youth and secret to a natural, radiant glow!

But again, both are wonderful and definitely worth incorporating into your diet! So play around to find your balance, and enjoy them both!

A DAY ON LIQUIDS

One of the most beautiful gifts we can give our body is an occasional day of rest and rejuvenation!

About once a month I like to take a day off from eating to hydrate my body on a deeper level with a liquid fast. It's a lovely way to recharge and reconnect back to healthy living!



















On my Liquid Day menu:

Pure clean water with lemon juice. Medicinal organic nettle & horsetail herb tea. Fresh coconut water (from young Thai coconuts). Raw organic nut & seed mylk (unsweetened, no added salt). And lots of organic low-glycemic GREEN JUICE! Here is my typical liquid day's breakdown...

MORNING

Glass of water w/squirt lemon juice
12 oz green juice (Juice of Radiance recipe w/wheatgrass, broccoli, parsley)

MID-AFTERNOON

Juice of 1 young Thai coconut
Glass of nut/seed mylk (almonds and pumpkin seeds soaked overnight, sesame seeds, water)

LATE AFTERNOON

Glass of water w/squirt lemon juice
12 oz green juice (Juice of Radiance recipe w/wheatgrass, broccoli, parsley)

EVENING

Cup of nettle & horsetail tea
Juice of 1 young Thai coconut
12 oz green juice (Juice of Radiance recipe w/wheatgrass, broccoli, parsley)

POMEGRANATE JUICE vs. RED WINE

Pomegranate juice has the highest antioxidant content, activity and protective benefits of eight different beverages tested, according to a study conducted by researchers from Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California-Los Angeles' David Geffen School of Medicine, and published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

"Oftentimes, a beverage will make a claim about its superior antioxidant content based on the results of one test alone that provides the highest antioxidant capacity," said lead researcher Dr. David Heber. "What is important about this study is that all the beverages included were run against several tests resulting in a more complete assessment of a beverage's antioxidant activity and capability."

Researchers conducted a total of seven tests on 100 percent pomegranate juice, red wine, orange juice, blueberry juice, Concord grape juice, acai berry juice, white tea and green tea. Four of these tests evaluated the antioxidant strength of the beverages.

Pomegranate juice was found to have the highest polyphenol content of any beverage, even outcompeting recent "superfoods" such as acai berry or green and white tea.

Polyphenols are a naturally occurring family of plant chemicals that are known to function as antioxidants in the body. They are believed to help reduce the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease and the effects of aging.

In addition to polyphenol content, the researchers also tested how well the various beverages performed at scavenging free radicals and preventing oxidation (decay) of LDL ("good") cholesterol. Once again, pomegranate juice outperformed all competitors, with an antioxidant potency composite index 20 percent higher than any other beverage tested.

This study marks the 11th study in the last 10 years to demonstrate the health benefits of 100 percent pomegranate juice. Prior studies have linked the juice to reducing the risks of heart disease, prostate cancer and even erectile dysfunction.

Article by: David Gutierrez (NaturalNews.com)

HEALING CANCER NATURALLY

The following information is currently circulating the internet, evidently part of a report compiled by scientists at Johns Hopkins (much of which the Hippocrates Health Institute has been teaching for years).

1.) Every person at some point in their life develops cancerous cells in the body. In fact, cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime, but they are not detected in standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion.

2.) When doctors tell cancer patients there are no more cancer cells after treatment, it simply means the tests are unable to detect the remaining cancer cells still residing in the body. (For this reason, cancer survivors using chemotherapy and radiation are often re-diagnosed with cancer within several years.)

3.) When a person's immune system is strong and healthy, on the other hand, cancerous cells are destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors. This is how the human body was designed to work.

4.) When a person has cancer, it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5.) To overcome these multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and lifestyle while incorporating supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6.) Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells, but it also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract, and can even cause organ damage in the liver, kidneys, heart, or lungs.

7.) Radiation, while destroying cancer cells, also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8.) Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size, however prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation does not result in further tumor reduction.

9.) When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation, the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10.) Chemotherapy and radiation can also cause cancerous cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy, while surgery can cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11.) An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding them the foods that allows cancer to spread and multiply.

WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON

1.) Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting out processed sugar it cuts off one important food supply to cancerous cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, and Spoonful are made with Aspartame which is very harmful to the body.

2.) Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting out milk, cancer cells are being starved.

3.) Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is very acidic. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites which are all harmful.

4.) Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines leads to more toxic buildup.

5.) Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from eating meat, it frees more enzymes to attack the protein wall of cancer cells.

6.) Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate which are high in caffeine. Drinking water is best when purified or filtered to avoid toxins and heavy metals commonly found in tap water.

7.) Do not use plastic containers or plastic wrap in microwaves. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. The combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body.

8.) Do not freeze your plastic bottles with water, as this also releases dioxin chemicals from the plastic.

9.) A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juices, whole grains, nuts and seeds help bring the body back into an alkaline environment.

10.) Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach the cellular level within 15 minutes, to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells, drink fresh vegetable juices and eat raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. (Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit.)

11.) Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help a cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

12.) Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

(The Hippocrates Health Institute has been the preeminent leader in the field of natural and complementary health care and education since 1956.)

GREEN JUICE FOR WEIGHT LOSS!

To date I have lost nearly 40 lbs incorporating raw foods into my diet. And aside from the obvious, like exercising and eliminating junk food, the single most important factor that has made all the difference in helping me slim down is JUICING!

I have noticed that a green juice, first thing in the morning, kicks my metabolism into gear and keeps my cravings under control throughout the day. Plus, juicing is very hydrating for the skin which has given me a lovely natural glow!

And because juicing separates the fiber, I like to use fruits/veggies that are low on the glycemic index. This way the juice won’t spike up my blood sugar since it's absorbed directly into the bloodstream. So make sure to drink your green juice on an empty stomach for instant absorption.

By the way, I'm usually not nearly as picky about the ingredients I use when making green smoothies, since blending keeps the fiber intact. Fiber slows the rate of absorption which has a lesser effect on blood sugar levels.

I also enjoy making a green juice right after a workout or yoga. I find that flooding my body with hydrating nutrients helps with recovery between workouts and keeps my body fluid and flexible!

Here's my all time favorite green juice recipe, I call it the Juice of Radiance! All ingredients in this recipe are low on the glycemic index.

Juice of Radiance

2 celery stalks
1 large kale leaf
1 large collard leaf
1 small apple
1/2 cucumber
1/2 carrot
1/2 lemon (pealed)

This juice is absolutely wonderful and refreshing! Not only is it healthy and loaded with nutrients, it's also hydrating, alkalizing, and it's mighty tasty if I do say so myself!


Plus, it’s great for those who are just starting out and still need to get accustomed to the taste of greens. Once you feel comfortable you can always add more greens or cut back on the apple.

COINCIDENCE? I THINK NOT

Isn’t it peculiar, we are the only species in the history of our planet’s existence to have ever cooked food? No other species has ever done this.

In fact, if you’ve ever noticed at the zoo there are caution signs everywhere instructing us NOT to feed the animals. Well that’s because we know that feeding animals processed “human” food will make them sick!

But why are we eating it, and more importantly, why are we feeding our children the same foods that we know make other animals sick?

Could there be a link between our heavily cooked, processed diet and the epidemic of cancers, diabetes, heart disease, depression, arthritis, and obesity? And yes, we are the only species with an epidemic of chronic and degenerative disease.

Notice that even our domesticated animals, when fed processed foods, develop the same degenerative health conditions that we do.

But if we turn to nature for answers and observe animals in their natural habitat, we see that species in the wild hardly, if ever develop disease. And for good reason! Not only is their environment less polluted and toxic, but even more importantly they are eating a natural, uncooked diet. They are not destroying the nutritional integrity of their food with fire.

And if you recall from basic chemistry, heat alters compounds changing their molecular structure. Cooking food is no exception to the rule. Exposure to high heat denatures food and specifically the nutrients in food.

If you ask me, it's simply not natural to cook food! And it is absolutely no coincidence that so many people in our culture are chronically sick, unlike most species in the wild. Changing diet and lifestyle is key. Give up the fire!

"RAW FOODS" DEFINED

Raw food cuisine is a revolutionary culinary art focusing on healthy nutrition. This beautifying, gourmet cuisine nourishes the body, increases energy, aids in digestion, fights against disease, and slows the aging process... leaving you with a healthy radiant glow!

It is a healing, nutrient rich cuisine high in vitamins and minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients, anti-oxidants, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.


Although there are variations of the raw food diet, including the use of raw meats, dairy and eggs, the cuisine is traditionally vegan (with the exception of occasional use of raw honey).

It focuses on the use of organic fruits and vegetables, leafy greens, fresh herbs, nuts and seeds, sprouts, mushrooms, seaweeds, fermented foods, and wild superfoods.

There are no refined sugars, white flour, gluten, trans-fats, or cholesterol... because remember, cholesterol does not exist in the plant kingdom! It is unprocessed, unrefined, and untreated with heat above 118 degrees Fahrenheit.

Why 118 degrees Fahrenheit? If you think about it, it makes perfect sense. In nature vegetation can't withstand sun's extremely high temperatures. Most plants cannot grow in desert climates where temperatures exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit. And it just so happens that above 100 plus degrees nutrients and enzymes begin to break down.

Not to worry, just because you are no longer cooking food does not mean you’re stuck eating salads and carrot sticks. Raw foods is a gourmet cuisine that you can actually cater a five course wedding dinner with. Everything from orderves and appetizers, to the main course, to an entirely raw vegan wedding cake!

How is this possible, you ask? With a little imagination anything is possible! Avocados for instance can replace butter, eggs, and heavy cream. And if you think about it, avocados don’t have much of a flavor, but they have the right consistency for creamy textures. Whereas nuts and seeds, ground up to a powder, can replace flour in any recipe.

WHAT'S WITH THE BUZZ ON ENZYMES

Beyond the obvious nutritional benefits, there's an additional reason for incorporating more raw foods into your diet. It has to do with enzymes and what’s commonly referred to as enzymatic "life-force” in foods.

Enzymes are proteins that break down starches into simple sugars. When a fruit ripens, what's actually happening is the enzymes are “digesting” the starches and turning them into simple sugars… thus the fruit gets sweeter. This is why ripe fruit is best, the starches are practically pre-digested.

So when you are eating fresh, enzyme rich fruits and veggies, you actually end up using less of your body’s own digestive enzymes, which lightens up the load on digestion.

Enzymes are also believed to be the “life-force” in plant foods. And for this reason, raw foods are often referred to as “living” foods.

Let me explain. If we were to take an apple and plant its seeds into the earth, with proper moisture the seeds would grow an apple tree! However, if we were to bake the apple first and then plant the seeds into the earth, no matter how ideal the conditions may be, the seeds from this apple could never reproduce an apple tree.

This is because the enzymatic “life-force” has been destroyed by heat. There's no longer life potential in that apple or its seeds!

So we’re practically digesting nutrient-depleted "dead" material when eating foods that have had nutrients and enzymes cooked out of them. And of all nutrients, enzymes are the most heat sensitive as they begin to break down anywhere between 105 and 118 degrees Fahrenheit.

So it's clear to see why eating more organic, fresh foods is so beneficial for optimal health. Raw cuisine floods the body with essential nutrients and living enzymes.

Remember, eating a nutrient rich diet of whole natural foods is the only way to ensure lasting radiant health. When you nourish the body with a vibrant living cuisine, as nature intended, you become an expression of radiant health. Raw cuisine is in fact nature’s secret to youthful longevity.