Notes

Raw Food Diet - When & How Did Raw Foods HAPPEN?
Is the Raw Food Diet a fresh fad or style that is seeping into Asia like the latest fashion statement? Well, I was never a fan of History, BUT I am definitely 1 curious cat. And because I'm still alive (more than ever!), let's explore some facts & research on the annals of Raw Food, its Evolution & Invest Humanity. Now actually, there exists get more info of information, sometimes conflicting, on this topic which can knock out even a seasoned reader. And how do you deal with it? Simple - I just look at facts, research done by professionals & recognized Institutes, along with actual living examples. And then of course I paid attention to my own body to see what realy works for me. It really is pretty easy actually!

Humans are suffering from degenerative diseases generations after generations. In the most recent decade, it appears to be getting away from hand. I've always noticed & be disturbed at the endless battle with new, unheard of diseases & ailments while our scientists furiously invent new "pills & drugs" for cure....

Before History on Raw Food was documented, there were some evidence from countries like Iran & India where early communities ate & thrived on raw vegan foods... Humans only learned & began to cook once they discovered fire, and we also happen to be the only species to cook our food.

Hippocrates was students at "Mathematikoi" (a religious & philosophical school founded by Phythagoras where all students were required to be vegetarians), and Hipporates is really a well-known figure (the daddy of Medicine). From research, both Hippocrates & Phythagoras were thought to have eaten a primary raw vegan diet.

In 1930, Dr Paul Kouchakoff (from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry in Lausanne, Switzerland) proved a human body condition referred to as "Digestive Leukocytosis". This is the reaction where white blood cells within the body increase immediately, and is produced only when cooked foods are eaten. When natural & unheated plants are eaten, Leukocytosis did not occur. And what's this Leukocytosis relevant to? This is in fact, a stress response made by the body when it is invaded by a dangerous pathogen (ie. a harmful virus) or trauma.

In 1933, Forbes EB wrote a paper saying that "Cooking renders food pasty, so that it sticks to one's teeth, and undergoes acid fermentation..." His paper linked the consumption of cooked food to dental degeneration.

In 1936, dentist Weston A Prince also observed the latter amongst an evolving generation which abandoned unadulterated nutrient dense foods for nutrient- void processed foods. That was coincidentally a newbie period of civilization for humanity.

In 1941, Dr. Edward Howell, an Illinois physician, wrote Food Enzymes for Health & Longevity. And in 1981, he published Enzyme Nutrition And "Eat Me Raw". These 2 books claimed that the pancreas is forced to work harder on an eating plan of cooked foods, and that food enzymes are simply as necessary to digestion because the body's self-generated enzymes.

In 1966, A. Hovannessian healed his sick child with raw food, and published a book called "Raw Eating" in Iran.

In the late 1960s, Viktoras Kulvinskas & Ann Wigmore discovered powerful healing benefits of a raw diet. They opened The Hippocrates Institute (which incidentally, continues to be very active today and managed by Dr Brian & Dr Maria Clement). The Institute has been curing sick people who have "Incurable Diseases".

In 1975, after Viktoras published "Survival into the 21st Century", raw food started to trickle into the main stream. The Gersons Institute (based on raw food healing research by Dr Max Gerson) was setup shortly in 1977. "The New Raw Energy" by Leslie Kenton in 1984 further increased exposure of the raw food diet.

Now, around then, raw food still comprised mainly of boring salads & juices. Along came pioneer raw gourmet chef Juliano, who entered the scene along with his restaurant "Raw" in LA, California. He attracted movie stars and models whom suddenly seemed to gain youthfulness & beauty without surgery, now did that grab the media's attention! And do you know that Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson & Alicia Silverstone are raw foodists? I wouldn't mind having that body & youthfulness, not at all! ;)

Since then, the raw food scene has been exploding with new raw gourmet chefs, books, institutions to teach raw gourmet cuisine, raw food classes, and also movies being made this very minute! You can observe youthful & energetic "raw gurus" springing up all over US, UK, and yes, even Asia now. Just do it & seek out it - they are all over the place!

So, what's my take on Raw Vegan Foodism? Is really a 100% Raw Vegan diet the best for health? If you ask me it is fairly simple... I know that just by adding more fresh vegetables & fruits to any of my meals make sure they are healthier & more nutritious. We have to not be promoting a Raw Vegan and even Vegan/Vegetarian Diet for everyone because honestly, nobody has a right to dictate what is a perfect diet for You. Because You, are unique and you also have your own special nutritional requirements. As long as it works for your body, eat the freshest, least adulterated & least processed foods you can get the hands on. Just listen to Your Body and pay attention. Instead of 100% Raw or Vegan, concentrate on 100% health! We have got enough evidence, medical advice & even government endorsements which encourage consumption of fresh fruits & vegetables on a regular basis, to know these are best for us. Period. Never mind 100% Raw or not, 100% vegan or not.... for anyone who is like me, you will just want to obtain the most nutrients & taste from every meal!

2 years ago, I spent such as a prince but ate just like a pauper. Expensive dinners at restaurants, popular hawker fare, donuts, commercially sold pies, pastries & beautifully packaged junk/convenient/pasteurized food (which are also ridiculously modified for the manufacturers' profit margins). I possibly could blow an excellent S$3,000 just on food bills in one month. At the same time, I visited the clinic for colds & fevers on the average of 3-4 times per year (pretty good, considering Singapore's outpatient leave of 10-30 days per annum!). The interesting thing was that I looked 10 years older than me now.

Think about now? I spend half of what I used to, and I eat like a King. I look way younger than I was a decade ago. Don't think? Come see for yourself! :)

Make meals richer,
Eat like Kings & Queens!
� Copyright, 2008 Linda Loo

Linda has always been passionate about the Science of Nutrition for beauty, weight-loss, energy & longevity. She actually is also a successful Raw Foodist, Certified Raw Food Coach and is extremely delighted to talk about this gift of knowledge with fellow health enthusiasts! Visit [http://www.rawfoodlifestyles.com/] for more free juicy information on how you can eat the right path to a flawless complexion, an attractive body, AND abundant energy now!
Here's my website: https://myclc.clcillinois.edu/web/mycampus/home?p_p_id=19&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=2&_19_struts_action=%2Fmessage_boards%2Fedit_message