Archive for the ‘Raw Inspiration’ Category

No Matter What, Always Be Encouraged

The sun always comes once the clouds have parted from the rain. There is always a lesson learned and an upside to various situations, it merely depends on your point of view, on how you look at things. There is experience to be gained in all that we do, there are stories to live and stories to be told. There is wisdom gained and knowledge to be passed on to others who endure something similar.

We know that it is not always easy to make lifestyle changes. Whether you are new to raw foods and holistic health, or a seasoned raw foodie looking to shake things up a bit, we encourage you all to take it one step at a time. For just as learning to walk or ride a bike for the first time left you with a couple bruises or scrapes, so might you unintentionally fall off track or take a wrong turn. No worries though, because we want to encourage you that at any point you can get back up again and get back to the raw food lifestyle.

We have several ways to for you start the raw food lifestyle depending on your own personal preference for learning and trying new things. Check out our Going Raw article here. If you are looking for ways to shake things up a bit, in addition to raw-tastic recipes, we have an article on how to Get More Raw into your diet. Ultimately, we want you to know that we are here to support you in your journey, which is why we provide all of this information and resources for free. We want you to succeed.

Here are some tips to help you stay on track with your journey to holistic health and wellness:

• Have A Night In: Invite a couple friends over for an un-cook night. That’s right, claim that together you will make a meal that is super healthy and taste amazing. Use our site or another website of your choice to pick some easy raw recipes that are sure to awe (we recommend raw sushi, raw tacos, spinach powerhouse salad, raw cookie dough, etc). You all can meet up at the grocery store and hand pick your produce. Then put on some good music and make the magic happen in the evening.
• Try Something New: Be sure you are not falling into a routine with your food. You will get bored, which is a time when we can become susceptible to temptation.  Our website is jam packed with yummy raw recipes, all of them super easy to prepare. Consider planning at least one new recipe a week to keep things going. Also feel free to experiment, which can be loads of fun.
• Find A Veggie Friendly Restaurant: This is a once in a while suggestion. If you cannot find a raw restaurant, opt for one that has vegan friendly options. This is a good way to add some more variety and spice into your life.
• Raw Dessert: Don’t let the wholesome goodness fool you! You can totally have raw sweets that taste even better than what you’ll find in the standard American diet, which all natural ingredients! We commend raw cookie dough, raw banana soft serve, or raw carob balls.
• Join A Group: Raw foodies have a desire to meet and connect with others who share in their lifestyle. Use groups like Ning.com and Meetup.com to see who’s getting together in your area. If you cannot find a raw food group, find a vegan or vegetarian friendly group instead and see if they would be open to a raw food night or gathering.

Other Articles to Support You In Your Journey:
Affirmations for Health and Wellness
Healing Requires Presence and Awareness
How to Stay Raw at Work

Wysteria Jackson’s Journey to Raw

My raw food journey began back in late August of 2008. I was about a month from my 27th birthday and suffering from multiple different health problems that were severely effecting my energy, happiness and zest for life…not to mention being life threatening at time. I was at my whits end. For the last year plus, I had been suffering from chronic hives which I had been to the doctors about and all they wanted to do was put me on Benedryl, an inhaler or steroids. Being a very holistically minded person I generally don’t like to put chemicals into my body. As you can imagine, these options weren’t ideal. My holistic chiropractor was able to alleviate most of the hives through adjustments, Kinesiology  and supplementation (but not all). This was only one of my issues as I closed in on my 27th birthday. By this point I had given up on doctors. Every time I went to see my doctor I got the nurse practitioner and nothing was ever resolved. Either they wanted me to do some expensive tests or they wanted me to take something that really didn’t sound right to me. I was 26 years old going on 40. Something was wrong and no one would listen to me!

On top of the hives I was constantly exhausted, I was having teeth problems (I became a vegetarian in February 2008 after years of being a “meat eater” who generally only ate chicken or fish), I had horrible anxiety attacks, and the last draw was all the lymph nodes under my arms swelling (possibly filling with fluid, my chiropractor wasn’t sure) to the point that I was in constant pain. I am sure if I thought about it a little more I would think of some other stuff that was going on but those were the biggies. At first I just attributed the changes (hives and exhaustion) to body changes…then driving home one day I fell asleep at the wheel and nearly went off the road. I just thought I was tired. Looking back now, I was tired and that wasn’t the first time or last time it happened. The exhaustion started in 2007 before the holidays…my body was sick and tired and wasn’t going to take it anymore! My doctors didn’t think anything was wrong with me…after all, my blood work was fine! Perhaps it’s just me, but a 26 year old shouldn’t be falling asleep at the wheel, having chronic hives, painful swollen lymph nodes, and anxiety attacks. The teeth problems was a whole other end that I hadn’t even realized yet!

On a hot day in August I was doing some research and came across talk about Raw, Living Foods. I was intrigued…I had come across it before but it never really interested me before. I was ready and willing! I started reading tons! Then I talked to my amazing, understanding, supportive husband and we both went raw overnight. We committed to 2 weeks of raw. Within a week my symptoms were disappearing. I had TONS of energy and wasn’t falling asleep in mid sentence on the way home anymore. Thank goodness hubby and I commute together! WOW! If that could happen in just a couple weeks then what would happen if I continued with it? Ryan wasn’t able to continue at the 100% raw, he dropped back to about 60% and I stayed at about 80 – 90% after the first couple weeks. We both went through a pretty brutal detox at about day three, but his continued much longer. I was fine after that quick, rough day but found months later that I started another detox process.

All of my health issues went away completely except the hives. I had plenty of energy and was feeling amazing. I still ate a little bit of dairy and bread but most of my diet consisted of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. I continued the information binge I was on and have yet to stop! I keep taking it in. There is so much information out there. Initially I started with forums and blogs. Since then I have moved onto books. I have began to build a library of books and love them! They are such great resources, but are not a necessity by any means. There is so much info that you can get for free through the internet or your local library!

In December right before the holidays I decided I had had enough, I wanted to be 100% raw. I made this decision and went raw vegan overnight. Up until this point I hadn’t been vegan. Making this decision removed all refined sugars, wheat and dairy from my diet. It wasn’t as hard as I remembered it being the first time. I loved it! After a few months my hives went away! I was amazed and inspired! During my time 100% raw I also decided to start a ning site where I could connect all our local meetups in one place and I finally made my raw food coop come to fruition. I felt so incredibly powerful and alive!

In the past couple months I have been very unhappy with work and feel off the 100% raw path. My body is talking to me though and I am moving back towards my path. I never wandered too far (only getting down to maybe 90% raw) but for me that’s not good. I function much better at 100% raw. Since loosing my way I have noticed my anxiety coming back. The things that I seem to crave are cookies and other refined sugars. I have stayed away from wheat and have stayed vegan but sugar has found it’s way back into my diet on multiple occasions. I have decided the best thing I can do is be compassionate towards myself and work back towards my goal of being 100% raw.

Recently I have started integrating superfoods and that seems to really be helping get me back in touch with myself. It is also helping mitigate the stress that I feel from work. All things are good in my life and I am headed back to my raw path. Practicing compassion for myself has made the whole process very rewarding. This is not something that I can do by pure willpower. It is something I need to do because it is the right fit for me, not because I will it! The amount I have learned about both myself and my husband is amazing. We are both on our own paths and have to find compassion for each others choices. He is incredibly inspiriting to me! I hope that I am to him as well!

Since going raw back in August, I have released 15 pounds. I have toned significantly and gone from a size six to a size 2 pant. I have gone from a lifelong medium to a small! It’s amazing. I am in better shape then I ever remember being, have no more allergies (which is amazing this spring!), have reversed all of my health issues unless I get off my path (then some return) and feel all around amazing. My dreams are becoming a reality, my relationship with Ryan has just gotten better and better and my relationship with my animals has improved as well. I can honestly say I love my path and will never look back. Putting only living foods in my body has given me a new lease on life and I intend to tell the world!

Wysteria Jackson is an amazing raw foodist who has created a local co-op for raw goodies, and has her own website where she blogs about holistic health, wellness, and the raw lifestyle. Follow her on Twitter.

Everyone’s journey to raw foods is different. If you would like to share yours with us, find out how on our submissions page.

Mila’s Story: A New Beginning

In 1989 my family and I emigrated from communist Russia, and you can only imagine how liberating it was exploring the endless isles of supermarkets and all the colorful food packaging varieties.  Like so many, we were drawn in by the convenience of T.V. dinners.

But by my late teens I was diagnosed with Acne Rosacea and I found myself struggling to find a natural alternative to prescription medication. I began reading and educating myself on health and nutrition while slowly gravitating to a more natural unprocessed diet, which alleviated the recurring redness on my face naturally.

But in my mid-twenties I started transitioning to a vegetarian diet, and even though I knew better, I ended up turning into a junk-food vegetarian living off of cheese pizza.  I was a compulsive emotional eater, binge eating practically on a daily basis.

I started gaining weight and it wasn’t long before I found myself going in and out of depression.  I was miserable and felt trapped in every aspect of my life.  I was overweight, in a relationship I was not happy in, climbing the corporate ladder, working on another promotion, in a banking job I despised.  I truly felt my life had very little meaning.

But the final straw was when I looked up my height and weight on the Body Mass Index (BMI) and realized that at 5’2” and 170 pound I was actually in the first stages of obesity.  I immediately signed up with the L.A. Weight Loss program but I strongly resisted their eating plan because I truly felt it was not very health promoting.

I was faced with the realization that I desperately needed a new beginning focusing on health and natural living, not just another weight loss program.  I knew that if I didn’t drastically change the direction of my life, I would end up settling for a life I did not want.  And I desperately wanted to pursue something that I felt had some real meaning in the world.

I was already familiar with raw foods and decided to read up on it some more.  I picked up a book by Victoria Boutenko and to my astonishment I recognized her picture.  Years ago when Victoria’s family lived in Colorado she was acquainted with my mother.  She presented a lecture and a raw foods demo for some of my mom’s Russian friends at our home.

It’s interesting that 14 years later life would bring me back to Victoria’s message… coincidence?  I think not!  Shortly after reading her book I happened to find out about the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute in northern California specializing in raw vegan cuisine.

So what do you do when you’re faced with a crisis and you desperately need a new beginning? You risk everything for the chance at happiness, for the chance at something real. So I did the unthinkable. I called off the relationship, quit my banking career, cashed out my 401k, packed up everything I owned into storage, and took off to California to pursue my passion for healthy living.

Since my return from completing the program in California, I have lost a little over 35 lbs on an 80% raw food diet, and I am happier than I’ve been in a very long time.  Eating a clean diet has connected me back to nature and to an eco-lifestyle.  It has given me clarity and the opportunity to release so much stored emotion, helping me overcome compulsive emotional eating.

Today I hope to inspire others with the message that there is a better way to live. That you don’t have to settle for poor health, depression, or obesity. Nature is magnificent, and when we begin to connect back to a natural way of living we unlock the secret to radiant health. After all, we do have a choice… the choice to live vibrantly healthy, enjoying and embracing every moment along the way.

Life begins to open up the most wonderful opportunity when you finally make the decision to open your heart, stay true to yourself, and begin to live with integrity. My decision to embrace a raw food lifestyle has given me a new appreciation for the healing power of nature, while taking my health to a whole new level of radiance.

Raw Food Nation is proud to feature the story of Mila Ilina, who resides in Boulder, Colorado. Mila is the owner of Raw Radiance, LLC and she blogs her raw advice too, Raw Radiance Blog. Her favorite part of the raw food lifestyle is all the wonderful and passionate people she has met who continue to inspire and uplift her on her own raw food journey, as she’s always learning!

If you would like to submit your story of how you came to raw foods, visit our submissions page for guidelines.

Food, Inc. – In Theatres June 12

Are you Hungry For Change? We just wanted to put the word out there to all the members of our nation, the film Food Inc. will be in theatres June 12 (tomorrow). Visit the official website http://www.foodincmovie.com/ for additional information about this documentary, view the trailer, and learn how you can get involved.

Food, Inc. exposes America’s industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy and workers’ rights. For example, did you know that the average food product travels about 1,500 miles to get to your grocery store? And that transporting food accounts for 30,800 tons of greenhouse gas emissions every year? A better and more environmentally friendly alternative is to shop local.

Were you aware that 30 million Americans are obese? High calorie, sugar laden processed foods coupled with our sedentary lifestyles is growing our wastelines and contributing to serious health issues like diabetes, heart ailments and cancers. By incorporating more raw and unprocessed foods into your diet, you are providing your body with the nutrients that it needs to heal itself and building a strong foundation for personal health and wellness.

Last but not least, approximately 10 billion animals (chickens, cattle, hogs, ducks, turkeys, lambs and sheep) are raised and killed in the US annually. Nearly all of them are raised on factory farms under inhumane conditions. These industrial farms are also dangerous for their workers, pollute surrounding communities, are unsafe to our food system and contribute significantly to global warming.

What can you do?

First, check out http://www.foodincmovie.com/, and get knowledge on what’s going on with food right now, then follow the links they provide on their site to learn more about the various issues and the actions you can take. The list below was taken from their site.

10 Simple Things You Can Do to Change Our Food System

• Stop drinking sodas and other sweetened beverages.
  You can lose 25 lbs in a year by replacing one 20 oz soda a day with a no calorie beverage (preferably water).
• Eat at home instead of eating out.
  Children consume almost twice (1.8 times) as many calories when eating food prepared outside the home.
• Support the passage of laws requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards.
  Half of the leading chain restaurants provide no nutritional information to their customers.
• Tell schools to stop selling sodas, junk food, and sports drinks.
  Over the last two decades, rates of obesity have tripled in children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years.
• Meatless Mondays—Go without meat one day a week.
  An estimated 70% of all antibiotics used in the United States are given to farm animals.
• Buy organic or sustainable food with little or no pesticides.
  According to the EPA, over 1 billion pounds of pesticides are used each year in the U.S.
• Protect family farms; visit your local farmer’s market.
  Farmer’s markets allow farmers to keep 80 to 90 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer.
• Make a point to know where your food comes from—READ LABELS.
  The average meal travels 1500 miles from the farm to your dinner plate.
• Tell Congress that food safety is important to you.
  Each year, contaminated food causes millions of illnesses and thousands of deaths in the U.S.
• Demand job protections for farm workers and food processors, ensuring fair wages and other protections.
  Poverty among farm workers is more than twice that of all wage and salary employees.