Apr
15
How to Eat a Raw Food Diet
Filed Under Featured, Mindful Food, Mindful Health, Mindful Living | 3 Comments
Aloha! I am Orinaiya, and I have been 100% raw for several weeks now and have been into the raw food lifestyle for almost a year. I offer raw foods coaching, healing with a Raindrop Treatment of essential oils and Hawaiian Healing, as well as energy awareness events and crystal bowl concerts. I would love to share some words of wisdom on raw foods- whether it be that you are just curious, wanting to be 50% raw (with 50% cooked/processed food) or 100% raw. I also facilitate a group called “Raw Friends of Las Vegas” which provides an avenue to meet others who embrace the raw food lifestyle and support for each other.
It is fundamental to cover the basic essentials: a blender and a food processor to start with. Blenders are great for making smoothies and soups while food processors assist with breaking down food composition while maintaining an appealing texture. Eventually, you will want to invest in an Excalibur dehydrator (Get it from the company’s website to get the 10 year warranty- it is worth paying extra!) as well as a Vita-mix. The Vita- Mix is the best blender that you can find for its quality and warranty (7 years). While these are greater investments, I feel that they are worth every penny.
I also recommend that you invest in a good juicer as well (I recommend the Omega Juicer). I also love my zucchini noodle maker by World Cuisine. It makes great noodles for raw spaghetti! My juice presser has come in handy for pressing citrus fruits. If you are on a tight budget, a blender and a food processor will suffice.
Wait for the shining window of opportunity to jump in. I have found that waves of energy come and go and there are moments when I really find it a struggle to go raw and others in which it seems easy and effortless. Always wait for the correct moment and you will know that your body is ready for the transition. This is important so that you can feel free in your new patterns that you are creating and sets the tone. Also, if you are able to – go raw with a friend - it will keep you on your game.
After making the jump, go easy on yourself. You do not need to feel that you will never again have your favorite foods. Take it moment to moment and commit for the moment, the day, the week, the month or more. Remember that the stress of deciding whether or not to eat something that is not raw is just as acidifying to the body as eating cooked or processed foods. Find that balance mentally and physically. Try breathing through temptation and see if you can get through the moment. If you really want to splurge - go for it but know that you will be starting over again.
I have experienced amazing benefits from going raw. First and foremost, my cravings have completely vanished. I have more control over thoughts of food and cravings than ever when I am raw. My sinuses have completely cleared up. I have slimmed up my body in warp speed (in addition to my daily love for yoga). I have tremendous energy. I have also found that not only has my physical body detoxed, but my emotional, mental and spiritual bodies are releasing trauma and toxins that were stored in my cells. My self-esteem has been boosted with adhering to my discipline. I can feel my body become more etheric and lighter. I have found that I get fuller on much less because the stomach starts to shrink. I also became even more sensitive to energy perception physically and with my Spirit sight.
There are even more physiological benefits of going raw and staying 100%. Many claim that the raw food lifestyle is the fountain of eternal youth. It is very difficult for the body to digest cooked and processed foods and many studies and testimonials have shown that severe diseases (like fibromyalgia, spinal meningitis, and even breast cancer) have been healed from the tremendous detoxification that eating raw provides. Additionally, eating raw frees up the body to carry out its functions more efficiently since it is no longer using its finite number of enzymes to digest food- the enzymes innately in raw foods assist with digestion.
Conserving our innate enzymes facilitates preservation of youthful cell strength in the body. Moreover, eating raw boosts our immune systems as the body no longer struggles with leukocytosis. This happens when one eats cooked or processed food. The body’s white blood cell counts increase activating the immune system – this happens when the body is attempting to fight off infection. Raw food does not initiate leukocytosis, which relieves the body of the strain of “crying wolf” whenever it eats unnatural processed foods. The body also becomes more alkalized creating an internal environment strong for maintaining health and immunity. Disease cannot form in an alkaline body, only acidic bodies.
After 4 months of being 100% raw, you will notice that you have grown 400 more taste buds on your tongue- as they are no longer burned out by harsh salts. You will experience a whole new palette of sweets.
There are several things that you may wish to consider in going raw. Be aware not to eat too many nuts when eating more raw foods. Nuts are very acidifying and can reverse the healthy alkalizing effects of eating raw. Almonds are the only nuts that are alkalizing and are safe to eat in larger quantities. Coconut flakes are great for snacking on as an alternative.
Also, if you are really committed to 100%, do your research and be sure that the ingredients that you are about to use are really raw. Many items in recipes are not raw - maple syrup, honey, some forms of agave, and many dehydrated fruits are not raw but fried (like banana chips). Definitely get some good recipe books and read up on the healing powers of living foods - this will assist you in keeping motivated.
For reading, I suggest:
- The Sunfood Diet Success System by David Wolfe
- Rawvolution by Matt Amsden
- Food Real World by Matt and Sarma Meangeles
You can also get great raw food recipes off of the internet. Do a search for raw food before and after pictures, you will be amazed at the transformations! It is fun to experiment in making your own recipes as well. I like to freeze up my smoothies into little containers so I have homemade raw sorbet. You can also make a great chocolate pudding with Thai coconuts, raw cacao, coconut butter and agave. Make raw friends and keep their company more to stay motivated.
There will be moments when you will need to plan for challenges. One thing that happens going raw is that you will get hungry more often as your body easily digests the food so quickly. You will eat smaller meals in a day more frequently – so plan on bringing snacks with you- whether it be a raw food bar, fruit, flax crackers or nuts. If you are traveling or if you know that you are likely to eat out- see if you can make your dressing ahead and bring it with you. You may also use lemon, garlic and olive oil (hopefully cold pressed) or balsamic vinegar and olive oil on your salad. Many restaurants serve up great raw guacamole, raw salads, salsa (that you may get with cucumber chips instead of corn chips), seaweed salad, raw sushi, greek salad, etc… By planning ahead, you can avoid any temptation to “get off the wagon”.
There are many ways to incorporate raw foods into the lives of your children and pets. I have found that young children grow to love raw food if you raise them that way from the beginning- that sets them up psychologically to love vegetables and fruits from an early age. Raw kid- friendly foods include: avocado, fresh made apple sauce or apple juice, cucumber slices with raw mango dressing, bananas, thai coconut meat, and more
I have found pet-friendly raw foods, such as carrots (they eat them like a bone!), kale, spinach, brocolli, coconut, pineapple, caulifower, avocado, etc. You can grind up all of the veggies in a food processor for them to eat and it also enhances nutrient absorption.
Overrall, the most important thing is to commit to a level in which you feel comfortable. If you want to try 50% than go for it and it is okay. The more raw foods that you incorporate, the greater the detox will be and immunity that you set up for yourself. Don’t be hard on yourself if you are not ready to do 100%. It will come when you are ready.
The whole process is really psychological and about feeling comfortable with creating new patterns and neuro-pathways. Remember to be grateful that you love yourself enough to nurture your body with living raw foods as well as gratitude for the plants that are giving their energy to you. You can do anything that you put your mind to! You are not only making loving choices for yourself, but also loving choices for our brother and sister animals and for our planet- and that is a reason to smile!
Feb
4
Getting Back on Track: Five Tips for Fighting the Battle of Bulge
Filed Under Mindful Health | Leave a Comment
So you’ve tried “dieting” that “didn’t work.” So you tried a “lifestyle change,” which made you feel like you “weren’t yourself,” and so when you went back to “being yourself” you not only went back, but also got larger. Hmmmmm. Not what you had in mind? Here’s how to get back on track.
1. Forgive yourself. Realize that you are human and that almost everything in this culture is working against you and your efforts. This is an uphill battle against fast food, television, supermodels, TV dinners, snacks, soda, and all other edibles not normally found in nature.
You are fighting the 8-5 workday, high-heeled shoes, over-chlorinated water, hating to cook, beer and wine, your husband that is 6 feet tall and weighs 150 lbs AND the fact that he keeps getting better looking while you wilt and sag and gain (hey, smile—don’t take yourself too seriously). And let’s not forget about all things chocolate.
Forgiving yourself while you face all of these obstacles is essential, and it’s part of the game. Remind yourself that it took you awhile to put the weight on. Changing yourself doesn’t happen overnight.
2. Pay for your weight loss. Make an investment in yourself, and a commitment in cold, hard cash. Join Weight Watchers Online or get a personal trainer at the gym of your choice. Visit your doctor, see a dietitian, and spend some money. You are more likely to stick to something that you are have paid for up front. No one likes to waste money.
3. Do Some Research. Get your hands on as much reading material as you can. Learn all that you can about eating right, exercise, things that help, things that don’t help. You need as much help and knowledge as there is in the world to help you stick to your goals, and to help you maintain your weight when you get there. So buy a magazine, do a Google search for whatever is on your mind. Call a friend that knows a crapload about health. Shop at Whole Foods or Trader Joes; read the ingredients labels.
Knowing about gluten, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, MSG, sodium, and all thing unpronounceable is a key factor in rejecting them as options. Keeping yourself informed will probably keep some things from being appetizing. Easy Cheese is probably not a food you’ll want to eat knowing that paper products more closely resemble food than that stuff does.
4. Drink your Water. Buy a Brita water filter and some bendy straws—they’re fun and they actually do help. Decide whether you like ice or don’t like ice (I don’t really like ice all the time). Have a glass with every meal, even if you want a diet soda, wine, coffee or tea also. Fill up every time your glass is empty whether you are thirsty or not. Keep a 24-pack in the car just in case. It really can help keep you full. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that water is filling, but it can keep you full longer, it helps keep your skin healthy, it flushes out toxins, wards off headaches and chapped lips as well as improves circulation.
5. Create Achievable Goals. My goal today actually is to drink my water. I haven’t set a minimum, but I am taking my own advice. I have a bendy straw. I had water with breakfast even though I was drinking coffee. My glass is full and I’m not even thirsty right now, but you know what? I am mindlessly drinking water today rather than mindlessly eating food in front of my computer. Much better I say.
My other goal today is to go to the gym. Notice, my goals are not to drink 100 oz of water after going at least a week without any attempt at drinking water. Nor is it to run 6 miles the day after I signed up for a membership. Just to do little things that I can surely make happen so that I can feel like I can accomplish anything when the going gets much tougher.
So remember your past successes and draw upon the strength that those bring you. I have quit smoking and I feel completely like a non-smoker these days. It took about two years of trying again and again but I finally accomplished it—even when I’ve been drinking. That brings me strength when I think that losing weight is impossible.