The Raw Food Solution

It is almost the end of January and for many people the idea of new years resolutions might be fading. I’m not really big on making life changes on a schedule, such as at the start of a new year, since every day can be viewed as an opportunity to start anew.

However I do see the value in using the markers of the passing of time as a tool to help with reflection, to look back on what we have learned and identify what we need to change in order to progress in our life path.

This year I am more determined than ever to make a difference in my life. Even though I have been eating a high raw diet for about a year and a half, due to my ten year history of chronic illness and some other recent health challenges, I still have some areas of my health that need to improve.

At this stage I feel a strong need to make a dramatic shift so I signed up for the six week deep tissue detox and am really excited about the process. Rather than creating my own plan, which would be very time consuming, I decided to save my energy to concentrate on my work and the other aspects of my life at the moment.

Additionally the creator of the program Dr. Ritamarie Loscalzo has a lot of experience with raw foods and is trained in the functional medicine approach, which I have also studied as part of my training in nutrition and natural medicine.

My opinion of the program so far is that it has really exceeded my expectations. I really appreciate the way the program is put together and it is very similar to my philosophy in regards to the best way to tackle a detox diet. In terms of the dietary approach it really resonates with me and the level of support is very beneficial. Even though I already have a very good understanding of the theories behind this method, there are a few key factors I will be adopting that I believe will really make a difference.

As preparation I’ve been consistent with my intake of green juices and have been eating 100% raw. Next week will be my official week one and I will be letting go of certain foods that are not ideal for detox. I’ve given myself this week to adjust before giving up on raw gourmet treats such as raw pizza and desserts and then it is full steam ahead!

Even though the program officially started two weeks ago it is self-paced so if you are interested in joining it isn’t too late. I think that program registration will be open for another few weeks.

What really influenced my decision to do this more than anything is that I have seen myself making only very gradual progress in regards to my health. While eating a high raw diet has helped me immensely, at this stage in my journey I feel it is not enough, and that I need to do something more dramatic.

When I was in my early twenties I remember doing an apple diet for three days and at the end of that time I had so much energy it was incredible! Now I am approaching forty, with a history of chronic and complicated illness and years of inappropriate diet and lifestyle, so that these simple methods are no longer enough. Even when eating a low fat raw vegan diet consistently for two months, I still did not experience anywhere close to the energy boost that occurred after short cleansing diets in my younger years.

I feel very positive about the six week deep tissue detox because I understand the science behind this approach and have followed similar detox plans in the past with good results. So right now I am loving the green juice and looking forward to this journey and to taking things to the next level with my health and life.

Click here to learn more about the six week deep tissue detox

The low fat raw vegan diet is gaining a lot of popularity in recent years as people are becoming more conscious about what constitutes a true health promoting diet. A diet based on fruit and vegetables can be a wonderful way to start eating a raw food diet as well as to promote cleansing, detoxification and weight loss.

However, there is not really much variety in regards to recipe books based on this healthy way of eating that include truly delicious meals. Fortunately this has changed with the release of Low Fat, Fruit Filled, High Fun Raw Recipes.

This book is filled with the favorite raw food recipes of raw foodists who eat a low fat raw vegan diet including Michele Martinez from Raw Natural Hygiene, Karmyn Malone from Karmyn Malone.com, Chris Kendall from The Raw Advantage, and Ellen Livingston from Living Yoga. It also includes a couple of my favorite recipe creations from my personal collection.

There is a Sweet Treats section that includes sweet fruit-based recipes. These meals are great for breakfasts and daytime meals when you need a lot of energy and provide more interesting alternatives to mono-fruit meals, which can become boring.

There is also a Savory Delights category that offers non-sweet fruit and vegetable-based recipes. Some of these dishes contain sweet fruit as well but in general they are more suitable for dinner, when you are more likely to crave a savory meal.

I am really looking forward to trying out the recipes in the book. Some of the recipes that look especially good to me are Better than Candy Confection, Caramel Camel Dip, Silk Yogurt, Soothing Apple Sauce, Coconut Supreme, Fat Free Veggie Dip and Radically Raw Pizza. It also includes my recipe for mango tomato soup, which is one of my favorite meals to eat when I feel like something savory but also light, nourishing and delicious.

A seven-day meal plan is provided to give you ideas and to help you get started with a low fat raw vegan diet.

Click here for more information and to order the Low Fat Raw Vegan Recipe Book.

Sprouts not only taste good, but they are also a great source of vitamins, fiber, protein, anti-oxidants, and enzymes. A sprout is produced when a seed starts growing into a vegetable. Sprouts can grow from the seeds of vegetables, from grains such as buckwheat, and from beans. While mung beans are perhaps the most common source of sprouts, you can also obtain good results from lentils, adzuki beans and chickpeas just to name a few.

Sprouts can be grown almost anywhere and the best part is you only need a few basic supplies to get started. By following a few simple steps, you can receive a continual supply of nutritious sprouts.

While there are several commercial products available to cultivate sprouts, growing sprouts in a jar is one of the easiest methods.

Growing Sprouts in a Jar

1. Soak the seeds, grains, or beans in lukewarm water overnight in a wide-mouth glass jar. Remove any that are broken or damaged before you begin the sprouting process. (Sprouting increases the seed volume. 4-tablespoons will be sufficient for a quart size container.)

2. In the morning, pour off the water in the jar and rinse the seeds/beans thoroughly.

3. Place a piece of cheesecloth or muslin over the mouth of the jar. Use a rubber band to hold the material securely in place. This makes rinsing easier.

4. To keep the sprouts constantly damp, repeat the rinsing 2-3 times a day. Remember to drain any excess water because the sprouts should not stand in water.

5. Keep the jar away from the light for the first few days.

6. When the seeds/beans begin to sprout, (usually about the forth day) move the jar into the light to activate the chlorophyll and turn the sprouts green.

Storing the Sprouts

If necessary, wash the sprouts thoroughly to remove the seed coat. Sprouts need to be stored in the refrigerator once they are ready to eat. Put the sprouts in tight sealing bags, and they will remain flavorful and crisp for one to two weeks. Rinsing the sprouts daily under cold water can extend their life.

Some of the Kinds of Seeds/Beans You Can Sprout

The following list gives some of the popularly sprouted seeds/beans. It is not all inclusive as you can sprout almost any kind of seed. Remember that seeds soak up 2-3 times their dry volume in water and sprouts need at least six times the volume occupied by the seeds. So be sure that your container is large enough, and start with a minimal amount of seed in a container like a jar, until you determine the correct quantity that will grow to the sprout size you like, without being difficult to remove.

Your local garden shop or health food store will carry a line of seeds for sprouting. When purchasing seeds for sprouting, be certain that the seeds are intended for food and not for planting. This precaution is necessary because some seeds meant for planting have been treated with fungicides or insecticides to protect the young seedlings when planted in a field or garden.

Alfalfa - should be soaked for 6-12 hours. The seeds can be planted in the pots or jars and also in the flats with soil. 1-part seed gives 10-parts sprouts in approximately 5-6 days. Sprouts can be eaten after 3 days. When the root is 1-2 inches long, it will begin to develop tiny green leaves. At this stage, it needs to be eaten immediately so the plant will not switch to photosynthesis that exhausts the stored food in the seed.

Peas - when soaked in a glass jar, will grow sprouts in about 3 days. When the roots are 2-inches long, they are ready to eat. 1-part peas gives 2-parts sprouts.

Lentils - can be grown in either a glass jar or a plant pot and need to be soaked for 12-hours. The sprouts are ready in 3-4 days. Lentil sprouts are ready to be eaten when the root is 1-inch long. 1-part lentils gives 6-parts sprouts.

Barley, Oats, and Rye - should be soaked for 12-hours and then can either be grown as “grass” to harvest, or sprouts ready to eat after 3-4 days. The ideal length for eating is about 1/2-inch. 1-part seed gives 2-parts sprouts.

Mung Beans - after soaking for 12-hours, these beans can be grown by any method. Mung beans are the most commonly grown sprouts and are usually ready to eat after 3-5 days. When the bright, white root grows from 1-2 inches long, they are ready to eat. 1-part beans gives 4-parts sprouts.

By growing your own sprouts, you will save yourself money because it is less expensive to buy sprout seeds and grow and harvest the sprouts yourself, than it is to buy the sprouts from a market. Sprouting at home takes only a few minutes a day, and can produce a good part of your daily requirements of the nutrients you need from fresh produce. The hassles are minor, the costs are low, and the freshness is wonderful.

A wise man once said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets.”

What a fit description of the seemingly endless battles that we fight to lose weight and to stay healthy and vital for as long as humanly possible!

Up and down, up and down, your metabolism bounces between walking pace and light speed; you have nightmares about celery sticks; you can work out the exact calorie count of every meal in 2.5 seconds; and the wheels on your exercise bike spontaneously combusted months ago.

In short, you wear yourself out and end up landing on a bottom that, despite all your best efforts, still looks like a pair of bowling balls.

Juice fasting is a great way to get off the dieting rollercoaster and see real results quickly. Safe and effective when carried out correctly, juice fasting benefits your entire being:

Your physical wellbeing increases as the body is rid of toxins and excess fat.

Your mind benefits because fasting creates a stillness that brings mental clarity and helps you to develop will power and to better control your senses.

As you lose weight and feel much better about yourself, self-esteem improves and sets you on the road to what could be a life changing experience, connecting you to your spirit and helping you to achieve balance in your life.

Juice Fasting and Weight Loss

A juice fast is a great way to shed some extra pounds, especially when you’re in a hurry. During the fast the body uses its own stored substances and, at the same time, detoxifies. A healthy combination of juices squeezed from fresh fruits and vegetables adds vitamins, minerals and trace elements to the body.

Because your only source of nourishment during the fast is water and the juices that you drink, it’s imperative that the juices you drink contain the maximum possible amounts of enzymes, vitamins and other nutrients in the fresh produce.

Many of the juicers on the market process the fresh fruits and veggies in a way that destroys many of the nutrients in the food. A top quality juicer such as the Oscar VitalMax juicer is an excellent tool for the job because it serves up living juices. The food is processed in such a way that it retains as many nutrients and essential enzymes as possible.

Juice fasting is a much better diet option than fad diets. Fad diets literally starve the body of nutrients. On the other hand, juice fasting provides the body with the nutrients it needs for vibrant health, helping to fix any chemical imbalances in the body - even those created by fad diets.

Juice Fasting and Detoxification

Juice fasting for detoxification is probably the most well-known usage of this particular type of fast. Juice fasting allows the organs of the body to rest, cleansing and revitalising them. The organs’ functioning is much better, which in turn aids in the digestion of food and production of energy for day to day life.

Juice fasting may also be helpful for the treatment and prevention of fluid retention.

Juice Fasting: How To

Before launching into a fast, it’s a good idea to begin preparing the body a week ahead. Cut out or reduce nicotine, alcohol, caffeine, sugar and wheat. Ideally the diet prior to fasting should consist mainly of fruits, vegetables and beans.

If you’ve never fasted before it might be a good idea to limit your first fast to three or four days. Sometimes abstaining from food entirely is a bit much, so it’s ok to eat fresh fruit or veggies if your stomach is complaining.

Now its time to get juicing! If you can’t make your own juices buy them from a health food shop - the fresher, the better. The GreenPower Kempo juicer is another excellent juicer that produces high quality juices to help you to get the best possible result from your fast.

Mix between one and three parts of pure water with your juice of choice. To get you started, here a few tasty recipes courtesy of Fasting to Freedom, by Tom McGregor:

Jogger’s Paradise

3 oranges
2 hard pears
1 small yam

Mix and add a little crushed ice. Great for energy.

A Taste of Heaven

2 carrots
1 sweet potato
2 apples
Thin slice of Spanish onion
Pinch of Dulse powder

For energy and endurance.

Red Ice

1 beet
1 sweet potato
2 apples
1 lemon
1 tomato
Thin slice of Spanish onion
1 garlic clove
½ can of frozen apple concentrate

Sit back and relax!

With the aid of a good juicer or fresh juice from a health shop, give yourself a power up and try a juice fast. Better than any fad diet, you can stop running yourself ragged. It’s a great way to remove toxins from the body, to lose weight, and to improve your health and wellbeing.

Look better, feel better, be healthier than ever before!

Please note: Its always safest to get the advice of a health care professional before making drastic changes to your diet, particularly if aren’t well to start with. Even natural juices can interfere with medication and you should consult your doctor before fasting.

Click here to learn about the raw food detox diet .

About the author:

Sara Schell: spellcast_advertising@yahoo.com.au

For more information on the benefits of making fresh juices a part of your regular diet, visit http://www.vitality4lifeshop.com.au/

To illustrate just how important the quality of the food you ingest on a daily basis is, just imagine your body as a perfect engine (Which it is!) food is the fuel you feed it to enable it to achieve peak performance. The cleaner and purer the fuel, the better and smoother the engine’s performance. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

In the same way that some foods slow our body engine down, creating deposits which interfere with the smooth running of the various parts. Other foods we eat can actually act as “engine cleaners and boosters” these are the ones we call detox foods. Fortunately, they are abundantly available in nature, and anyone can have access to them.

New discoveries are being made every day on previously unknown properties and benefits some of our common foods possess. However, the ones listed in this article have undeniably proven their positive role in cleansing our engine and boosting its power.

Why detox?

Toxin build-up has become more of a concern in the twenty first century than ever before. Industrial and technological progress has resulted in many new and stronger chemicals, air and water pollution, radiation and nuclear contamination. Due to medical advancement we are using more drugs that promise to rid us of our various day-to-day ailments. We eat a higher percentage of refined foods, and stress is leading us to abuse our bodies with stimulants or sedatives.

Two of the main toxicity diseases are cancer and cardiovascular disease and they are happening to an alarmingly higher percentage of the population today. Others include arthritis, allergies, obesity, and many skin problems. Many common symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue, muscular pain, cough, gastrointestinal problems and immune system weakness, can all be attributed to toxic overload.

Accumulated toxins in the body range from undigested organic matter, to metallic deposits such as lead, mercury, copper and aluminium we ingest through food and air. Environmental toxins, as well as those emitted by household furnishings accumulate in our body. Free radicals are also considered biochemical toxins and stress causes great toxicity in the body.

One thing is certain we are all in contact with toxins on a daily basis.

Fortunately nature seems to have an answer to this problem it comes in the form of foods.

Detox foods

Garlic

Garlic has been used for its beneficial effects for thousands of years. It is a blood cleanser, a natural antibiotic it also reduces blood fats thinning the blood and lowering blood pressure.

To avoid the lingering smell when you eat raw garlic, simply peel the garlic clove, cut it lengthways and remove the heart stem (which is sometimes green). If you prefer to avoid the smell of garlic altogether, there is a multitude of garlic supplements in the health food shops to choose from.

Coriander (Cilantro)

Some studies have shown that the leaves of the coriander plant can accelerate the excretion of mercury, lead and aluminium from the body.

This delicious herb, when added to food, can greatly contribute in the detox process. It is available all year round. You can use it instead of basil to make a delicious coriander pesto.

Mix fresh coriander leaves (about 25 stems) with 1/2 a cup of pine nuts, 1 clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons of lemon and 5 tablespoons of olive oil in a blender until you get a smooth paste (you can make the paste less lumpy by adding hot water). It’s very tasty with pasta or as an accompaniment to vegetables or fish.

Other detoxifying roots and herbs include:

Echinacea: A lymphatic cleanser

Dandelion root: A tonic, a liver and blood cleanser, diuretic and filters toxins

Cayenne pepper: Purifies the blood, increases fluid elimination and encourages sweating

Ginger root: Stimulates blood circulation and sweating

Liquorice root: Is a potent detoxifier it also balances biochemical functions and acts as a mild laxative

Parsley leaf: A diuretic it flushes the kidneys

Red clover blossoms: A blood cleanser that’s very useful during convalescence and recovery.

Fresh Vegetables

Great detox vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts and onions. Artichokes are well known for their liver detoxifying properties. Also recommended are beetroot and red and green vegetables.

Fresh Fruit

All fresh fruit is good for detox provided it is eaten on its own, not before, with, or after food. A fresh fruit or fruits juice fasting is often recommended for a short (3-day) fast to cleanse and detoxify.

Fruit can be fresh, frozen or dried. It includes apples, pears, oranges, grapefruit, bananas, raisins, pineapple, mango, kiwi fruit, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, melon, sultanas nectarines and peaches.

Click here to learn more about the raw food detox diet .

About the author:
Randa Khalil: Detox Bath
Ebook published by Dream Team Publishing UK
Visit pure inside out:
http://www.pureinsideout.com/articlemarketer-index

If you want to get back on the raw food wagon with style and unabashed indulgence, this divinely decadent nutmilk will give you effectively a luxurious pudding in a glass.

Go on, I dare you ; )

Ingredients:

* 1 measuring cup of pecan nuts (125g/4oz)
* 3 measuring cups of pure water (app. 700ml)
* 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence (or piece of vanilla bean)
* 2 Medjool dates
* 2 Tablespoons of dark agave nectar (use 2 more dates if you don’t have this)

Directions:

1) Blend your pecans with the water until no pieces left, then strain into a tall jug ready for stage 2.
2) Pour the “clean” milk into the clean blender and add the vanilla, dates and/or agave nectar.
3) Blend thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined.
4) Serve and smile!

RAW COACH’S TOP TIPS:

* This will keep for roughly a day in the fridge. Try making a less runny version, pour it into a Tupperware container or ice-cream maker and freeze it for a deliciously decadent ice-cream.

© Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach 2009, www.TheRawFoodCoach.com

Karen Knowler, The Raw Food Coach publishes “Successfully Raw” - a free weekly eZine for raw food lovers everywhere. If you’re ready to look good, feel great and create a raw life you love get your FREE tips, tools and recipes now at www.TheRawFoodCoach.com.

Click here for more raw food recipes.

So many of you have been wondering, how do I properly transition to a mostly raw diet? I know there is much confusion around this subject and believe me there are several ways to transition.

There are 3 things you need to properly transition to a mostly raw diet:

You need a plan
You need a support system
You need to figure out how you plan to transition

You need a plan:

Quote “Without goals and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.”

You have to create a plan. Without a plan you are definitely setting yourself up for failure. I remember many times saying I was going to eat raw but never really took the time to make a plan. As a result I never ate raw or as raw as I would have liked.

So, the first thing I suggest is that you sit down and decide what your ideal diet looks like. Take your time here and really think about it. You want to create an eating plan that you know you can follow the rest of your life.

Once you know how you want your diet to look, write it down on a piece of paper. Please do not type it into the computer. I find that when you write it down with your own handwriting it means a lot more to you than typing it into a computer.

Now that you know what your ultimate diet looks like, you can now create a plan of how you plan to achieve it.

You need a support system:

One of the mistakes I have made was trying to make some very difficult changes all by myself. I did not really think much about investing in coaching. I know that if I had, It would not have taken me so long to reach a high raw diet.

Of course you can make any change you desire on your own, but it can take quite a while longer when you are working on it by yourself. If you would like to move at a more rapid pace I definitely suggest that you become involved in some type of 1 on 1 coaching or group coaching program. By reaching out for support you can and will move 2-3 times faster towards your goal.

Support is so important because as you start to transition toward your ideal diet you will find that things will come up, like fear or things from your past. Sometimes blockages appear that may hinder you from moving forward. If you are working with a coach they will be able to quickly see the blockages and point them out. By having a coach you would be more likely to work through those blockages immediately.

Recently, I discovered a blockage in my life. I had gone through a phase of not forgiving myself for a mistake I made and it was holding me back from accomplishing my goals. I spent months dealing with this blockage and it only caused me much stress and pain. Thankfully, I came out of it enough to realize that I needed help. With the help of a coach, in just 1 hour I was able to move past this blockage. I believe that if I did not take the step to contact a coach, I would not be here writing this article today.

Support is invaluable. Keep a look out for my upcoming group coaching program, especially if you are ready to make a change.

You need to figure out how you plan to transition:

There are two ways to transition to raw. You can shift into your ideal raw diet right away or slowly transition to your ideal diet.

So which one is better? Well, both, it just depends on what you feel works best for you.

Should you jump ship and go right into eating mostly raw?

For me, in the beginning of my journey I tried to jump right into what I thought my ideal diet was and after a while I started falling off the wagon. I had so many emotions coming forward and I did not know how to deal with them, so I used UN-healthy cooked food to stuff my emotions.

When working toward your ideal eating lifestyle you may start to have some emotions come forward that you may not have been dealing with before. This will affect your diet especially if you use food to hide your emotions. Most times people use food emotionally and have no idea they are doing this.

If you plan to go right into your ideal diet you need to figure out how you plan to deal with the emotions that are coming up for you. Once you have a plan of how you plan to deal with this, you may at this point decide to jump right into your ideal eating style.

Should you gradually transition to your ideal diet?

Slowly transitioning to my ideal raw food diet has been one of the greatest decisions I have ever made for myself. Do not get me wrong slow does not mean it will take forever. As explained above, if you work through this with a coach, you will find that you move forward at a more rapid pace.

Gradually transitioning can be good and it can be bad, it really depends on how you look at it. For me, gradually transitioning gave me time to work through much of my emotional baggage. Instead of giving up everything I just gave up a few things at a time. Now the downside to this, is that because I did not reach out for the support of a coach, It has taken a lot longer for me to reach my ideal eating lifestyle.

By gradually transitioning you are able to work through your emotions at a slow pace. On top of that you start to create better eating habits as a result. Since you are transitioning at a slow rate you are adapting to your ideal eating style with each change you make.

I always like reminding myself that when we came into this world, we did not come here eating what we eat today, we slowly transitioned to our diets! When you were a baby you most likely started out drinking only milk, then you transitioned to baby food and so forth. It was a gradual transition.

I believe gradually transitioning to raw is the best way to reach your ideal diet, but that is my opinion. You have to decide what works best for you.

About the author:

Tanisha Marshall is a Certified Raw food Coach, Author and Motivational speaker. Tanisha is dedicated to helping women transition to the raw food lifestyle. Be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter for more great advice like this and upcoming events. http://www.tanishamarshall.com

Having a period of detox is an attractive idea, particularly after Christmas. If you change your habits and eat raw organic food it will lead to an initial very satisfying experience where your body expels mucus whilst it cleans out your system.

If you suffer from bad breath or have poor digestion or feel continually tired or lethargic, then chances are a detox will help.

Detox Your Digestion

If you run marathons, you know to pack your body with carbohydrates the night before. The carbo-loading gives a slow release of energy, but the digestion of it also drains energy critically needed for the race. It’s a balancing act for many athletes and shows the importance of understanding the properties of the food you eat.

A cooked meal can take up to 4 days to digest completely. When you eat raw organic food, the digestion can be roughly 30 times quicker, taking 20 minutes to 4 hours.

Consider the marathon runner who would have a lot more energy if it wasn’t diverted away to digest his food. The same applies to you.

Make sure you eat food that can be digested quickly and can pass through your system, instead of causing stomach aches and constipation. This is like having a mini detox. It will boost your energy and help you sleep better.

Detox Your Cholesterol

Cholesterol comes from good and bad fats and proteins. In short, you need to cut out as much bad fat and protein whilst maintaining a healthy intake of good fats and proteins. Fats are bad once they have been cooked and have lost their nutritional value. These include saturated animal fat, and polyunsaturated fats, such as refined cooking oils. A typical American diet is high in bad fats. Proteins from meat coat our stomach with grease and cholesterol, making absorption difficult and it constipates us.

Plant cells contain proteins and their walls are made of fiber. Fiber passes through our system quickly giving us healthy, regular bowel movements. It is another example of a mini detox.

Good fats are found in avocados, almonds, olives, walnuts, flax, hemp, sesame, sunflower and other seeds. These fats are fine to eat and combined in, actually help you to lose weight.

Detox Your Acid-Alkaline Balance

Many people with acute or chronic diseases have an overly acidic body which includes sugar, fat, dairy, candy, coffee, tobacco, alcohol and synthetic vitamins. Detoxing involves neutralizing the pH in your body. The pH measures the acidity / alkalinity. You should eat raw organic food including a lot of fruit and vegetables which are more alkaline to provide that detoxing effect.

Click here for information about the six week deep tissue detox diet

About the Author

Christine Delareya is keenly embracing the vegan lifestyle and is already feeling far more energized. She has been surprised how easy it is to cook vegan once you know what to buy and where to get it from.

Here’s a site she contributes to which compares diets and features the Raw Vegan diet http://www.compare-a-diet.com/raw-vegan-diet.html

As human beings, each one of us has complete control over the way we treat our bodies, what we feed them, and how we feel about them. Every day we make decisions about these things, whether we realize it or not.

This means that we have direct control over our weight and our state of health.

Illness is directly linked to what goes into our bodies and how it’s eliminated. In fact, it’s well known that what comes out is more important than what goes in.

As a society, we have fallen into the trap of believing that we are not responsible for our own bodies and illnesses. When we experience symptoms of illness, we run to the doctor or drugstore and expect that they will take away the symptoms, instead of doing everything we can ourselves to prevent the symptoms in the first place. It seems we’d rather stay ignorant to the facts than know what our bodies truly need to be healthy.

There’s a commercial on television where a girl and a guy both say, “I hate colds.” and “Colds are NASTY!” Actually, a cold is our body’s natural way of cleaning itself out when it gets overburdened with toxins. Colds make us healthier in the long run!

We don’t get colds from germs. We get colds because we allow our immune systems to break down so that we cannot fight off the germs. If we have strong and healthy immune systems, we can be exposed to those cold germs and we won’t get sick.
Taking Charge of Our Health

Health is all about taking responsibility for ourselves and gaining the knowledge of how our bodies really work, instead of believing that it’s up to someone or something else to take away our symptoms. Why not address the cause of the problem so the symptoms will disappear?

The human body has incredible intelligence. It knows exactly how to heal itself and live in optimum health, if we just allow it to do that. As long as we indulge in unhealthy habits, we don’t give our bodies a chance to be healthy.

Okay, so what does this have to do with weight loss?

If you go on a diet but don’t have awareness of what’s really going on inside your body, it’s like trying to fix an engine without knowing how the car works.

Weight loss has everything to do with the body, mind and spirit living healthfully and in harmony. Perhaps our focus should be more on health, and less on weight loss. The amazing thing about that concept is that once your body starts getting healthier, it will naturally come into balance and your weight will adjust itself to whatever your body optimally needs.

So, how does one become healthy and lose weight? Here are a few ideas to start. If you’re truly committed to your own wellness, they’re pretty plausible and simple.

Regular exercise

Our bodies need natural movement on a regular basis. It’s your choice whether you move around or not. Check with your physician and choose the best level of exercise for you. No matter what your level of activity, just do something.

More raw foods

Our bodies need live enzymes to properly digest food. If we can’t digest it, we can’t get the nutrients out of it. Cooking food destroys enzymes so food doesn’t get properly digested. Simple concept.

In addition, when we don’t properly digest food, it doesn’t get eliminated properly and is then stored as toxins in our bodies. Remember: what comes out is more important than what goes in. Toxins mean compromised health. The level of toxins in your body will dictate how healthy you are. Simple.

Some people complain that they don’t like vegetables. Here’s some great news for you - that’s entirely a learned behavior, which means it can be unlearned. Quite easily, too! It just depends if you’re committed to learning something new or not.

Intake less toxins

Many substances we’ve come to cherish in our society are actually toxic to our bodies: caffeine, white flour, sugar, sugar substitutes, refined salt, processed food additives, to name just a few. You have a choice what you consume. Feed your body with wise attention. Refuse to be a slave to advertising.

Drink more water

Pure, clean water energizes, cleanses and sustains us. Drink the purest water available. Use your own filter - don’t rely on tap water to be pure. Unfiltered tap water may contain chlorine, fluoride, agricultural run-off, herbicides, pesticides, drug residues and too many other poisons to list. Don’t drink distilled water.

Making Healthy Choices

There are a zillion diets out there with the “magical combination”, but there really isn’t one magical formula for everyone. True wellness comes with a lifestyle of health and vitality. It’s all about getting into your own groove of doing whatever you can to support your body in becoming healthy, and it starts with a change in attitudes and beliefs.

If you’re someone who is trying to lose weight, consider the overall health of your body, mind and spirit, not just what the scale says. Chances are the results you see from this type of weight management will be pleasantly surprising in more ways than one!

One thing I’ve found is that people who are successful with weight management have one belief in common: living an active and healthy lifestyle is imperative to weight management.

A healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean deprivation and rigid or harmful diets that create resentment in the person who is using them. It means becoming aware, and enjoying taking responsibility for ourselves so that if we do choose to diet, we do so with a nurturing, caring attitude towards ourselves.

Healthful living can begin when we’ve had enough of playing victim with our wellness. It’s up to us to explore resources to find out exactly what we need for optimal health, and how to provide it for ourselves.

About the Author:

Renée Deakin’s personal journey of growth and discovery has taken her to teach, work and live in several locations across North America. Currently residing in the woods in a remote area of Vancouver Island, Renée has devoted her life work to helping others find harmony and balance in their daily lives through connecting with their intuition. http://www.spiritcircle.ca

Dietary adjustment can be a powerful tool to reduce the impact of aging on the body. Here are just a few of the ways that you can prevent aging with a healthy diet.

Calorie restriction

It has been found that the individuals with the longest life expectancy are those who are slightly underweight in comparison to their height.

To achieve benefits from calorie restriction it is necessary that the body is supplied with the nutrients it requires (protein, essential fats, vitamins, minerals etc.) and that sources of empty calories are eliminated (sugar, refined carbohydrates, and poor quality fats).

A raw food diet can help to to naturally achieve calorie restriction with optimal nutrition because it provides foods that are high in nutrients as well as volume. This means that you feel satisfied and nourished on less calories.

Dietary antioxidants

High levels of antioxidants exert a protective effect against the damage caused by free radicals. They also reduce the risk of many diseases associated with aging such as heart disease, cancer, cataracts, macular degeneration and arthritis.

It is recommended to increase intakes of foods high in carotenes such as green leafy vegetables, carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, cantaloupe, apricots and mango.

Carotenes may also help to prevent the shrinkage of the thymus gland that occurs with aging.

Flavonoids also act as antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer properties. They are found in high concentrations in berries, citrus fruits, onions, parsley, green tea and red grapes.

Antioxidant supplements are very significant for the pursuit of enhanced longevity and can compensate for the increased exposure to free radicals and reduced dietary antioxidant intake that is common in the modern world. These can include vitamin C, tocotrienols, flavonoids, selenium, zinc, lipoic acid, acetyl-carnitine and coenzyme Q10.

Sulfur-containing amino acids

These include methionine and cysteine and are found to decrease in the body with aging. In animal studies supplementing with these amino acids increases life span.

Methionine and cysteine determine to a large degree the concentration of glutathione; an important intracellular antioxidant that is produced by the body.

Dietary sources of these amino acids include spirulina, chlorella, garlic, onions, eggs, lentils, nutritional yeast and nuts.

Nutritional Supplements

As any nutritional deficiency may possibly contribute to aging, the diet should be of the highest quality and concentrated in nutrients and if necessary nutritional supplements taken. Factors to consider include complete protein, essential fatty acids, calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, B vitamins especially vitamin B12 and probiotics.

Digestive Support

As malabsorption often occurs with aging and may contribute to nutritional deficiency it is of utmost importance to address any digestive imbalances. Green smoothies have been shown to increase the production of hydrochloric acid by the stomach when consumed regularly. Blending foods in general is also advised because it takes the load off the digestive system by making food easier to absorb.

Ten lifestyle tips to prevent aging

1. Perform regular aerobic exercise and resistance training.

2. Ensure an adequate intake of pure water.

3. Eat a nutrient dense, low calorie diet.

4. Include nutritional supplements of antioxidants.

5. Ensure detoxification pathways are efficient by intake of beneficial fiber, high fruit and vegetable intake and periodic fasting or cleansing programs.

6. Optimize internal balance of microflora with acidophilus and cultured foods such as kefir, fermented vegetables and miso.

7. Support digestion by consuming blended foods, avoiding overeating and if necessary taking digestive enzymes.

8. Obtain adequate rest and relaxation.

9. Nurture positive attitudes and emotions.

10. Develop a passion, an activity or purpose that gives you something to look forward to every morning and provides long-term fulfillment.