40. EAT RAW FOR HEALTH

I have had an interest in eating raw for several years. It is a great health practice that makes skin tighter, keeps weight under control, and gives much more energy. 

It makes sense that uncooked food is beneficial to the human body. Most animals eat raw food and seem quite healthy. Most of us know of cancer victims who go on raw diets to cure cancer. Because I have heard of these advantages, I try to incorporate at least fifty percent raw food in my diet.

Sometimes I go on an all-raw-food fast for a few days to give my body a lift. I have good energy from my mixed cooked and raw plant-food diet, but when I eat only raw food, I have even more. This is proven to me by the fact that I require less sleep. I wake up earlier in the morning wide-awake to arise and begin my day’s activities.

The major health benefit of eating raw seems to come from the enzymes contained in uncooked food. Enzymes are spread throughout our bodies to help with multitudes of bodily functions. These enzymes, which are vital to good health, are destroyed by heat. When we eat cooked food, the body must call on its own supply of enzymes. This could be the cause of aging, because many who eat raw have a more youthful appearance. Raw food seems to be especially valuable in making the skin tighter.

Certainly raw food helps to keep the weight under control. When I eat only raw, my stomach feels lighter than when I eat cooked food. Digestion is much easier, which gives more energy for other activities.

I will give you examples of my diet when I eat raw. For breakfast, I might have soaked oat groats or wheat sprouts with fresh pineapple and banana blended for the sauce. I add two tablespoons of ground flaxseed and one-fourth cup of raisins. In addition, I will have two or three other pieces of fruit and two more tablespoons of walnuts, pecans or almonds.

For my second and last meal, I will have a big salad made of fresh lamb’s quarter (from my garden), plenty of tomatoes (from my garden), an avocado, cucumber, onion, one-half cup of garbanzo bean sprouts and two tablespoons of ground sesame seed. For the dressing, I will blend one-fourth cup of sunflower seeds with the juices of a freshly cut orange and lemon. Sometimes I make a green smoothie with greens from my garden, pineapple, carrot and celery. I enjoy eating my garden greens, but there is a wide selection of organic greens available in most grocery stores.

It is truly a change in habit to forego cooked food to eat only raw. Perhaps it would be good for everyone to practice eating uncooked foods for a few days to give the stomach a rest and perhaps to drop a few pounds. 

PREPARE THESE RECIPES TO GIVE YOUR FAMILY AN EXPERIENCE IN EATING RAW!

GAZPACHO SOUP
4-6 fresh chopped tomatoes
1 chopped cucumber
1 chopped green pepper
1 stalk chopped celery
1 chopped zucchini
1 chopped onion
1 t garlic
1 t basil
1 t cumin
2 T lemon juice
1/4 chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
Blend 1/2 the ingredients until smooth. Add all ingredients and chill.

LIVE UN-STIR-FRY WITH CAULIFLOWER RICE
Vegetable Medley:
Combine in a large bowl:
2 c chopped napa cabbage
1 c thinly sliced red bell pepper
1/3 c raw unsalted cashews
1/2 c chopped red cabbage
1/2 c thinly sliced carrots
1/2 c thinly sliced snow peas
1/4 c thinly sliced green onion
2 T chopped cilantro
Spicy Dressing:
Blend:
1/2 c sesame oil
3 T raw agave nectar or maple syrup
3 T Braggs Aminos (soy sauce)
2 T fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 -inch piece peeled fresh ginger
1 T dehydrated onion flakes
1 T grated lime zest
1 clove garlic peeled
1 t minced jalapeno chile
Cauliflower Rice
Pulse-chop cauliflower florets to make rice.
4 c cauliflower florets
1/2 c macadamia or pine nuts
1 T onion flakes
1/2 t sea salt
1/2 t garlic powder
Top with Vegetable Medley and pour Spicy Dressing over the vegetables.