Quick, Healthy Snack

Here's a quick healthy snack.. especially for those times when you're transitioning and hungry for something sweet.

Banana Treat

• 1-2 Ripe Bananas
• 1-2 Soft, Pitted Dates
  or
• Handful of soaked raisins
• 1/2-1 Tbs Raw Almond Butter
  

Mash the bananas in a bowl, add raw almond butter and dates (cut them into small pieces) or soaked raisins and mix together well. Quick, easy and delicious. Enjoy without guilt!

To your best health,

Mark
Vegan and Raw - The Ultimate Diet For Weight Loss, Healthy and Life

You Know You're a Raw Foodist When....

• You can't STAND the smell of any kind of Fast Food no matter how delicious it's supposed to be and you can detect who has just eaten a greasy burger by noticing the odor of Fast Food Ooze coming out of that person's skin
• ...your idea of junk food is celery dipped in tahini, agave, cinnamon and cocoa powder....or the best part of your day is when you get to turn on your juicer
• when the guys in the produce department know your name
• You know that a "9" on the sticker on the fruit/veggie (example: 94031) means the produce is organic.
• Your cravings have gone from chocolate chip cookies to a banana wrapped in romaine leafs!
• when you're packing for a trip and the 1st thing you think of is your juicer.
• when your friends use organic produce to bribe you into doing things for them
• When you're buying fruit and the cashier looks at you puzzled and then asks, "You ate all that fruit you bought yesterday?!"
• ...you start using words that are not in the English dictionary...like RAWESOME.
• you walk into a natural foods store and can barley find something to eat
• you make SEXY sounds while eating a mango....

Source: Nature's First Law Forum

Enjoy... to your best health!

Mark

Why Cheating Doesn't Work

OK, you've decided to "go raw". Congratulations!

But now you have temptations and cravings for cooked and processed foods. Is it ok? Is it acceptable to eat mostly raw?

Sure, eating some cooked/steamed foods is ok, it just depends on your goals and how you feel. Of course, you'll get the most benefits by sticking to as close to a 100% raw diet as possible. Again, it depends on your goals.

Here's the rub. I've been researching the reasons for the cravings and observing my experiences. What I've found is that by eating cooked foods occassionally, you're actually building a desire for more cooked foods. This also applies to spices, salt, garlic, chocolate, sugar and other foods.

If you crave a pizza and eat it, you'll have a desire for more. If you have salt, you'll build a desire for it again. It's a vicious circle that won't end unless you give it up. There are other reasons you crave certain foods. Sometimes your body may be low on a particular mineral that could trigger a craving.

In my experience, just a few weeks after going 100% I lost all desire and taste for cooked foods. It was a natural result of eating raw. I also found that when I tasted something cooked, I then had a desire for it again. After a short time, that desire went away. I also quickly gained a strong and healthy desire for fresh greens, fruits and other vegetables... a desire that's lasted and only grows with time.

My personal goal has never been to label myself 100% raw... I've chosen to be 100% raw for the way I feel as well and the health benefits. For me, they've been dramatic and I feel grateful for the many benefits I've experienced.

Here's an interesting quote from the great German thinker Goethe:

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy,
the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
....
That the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves, too.

All sorts of things occur to help one
that would never otherwise have occurred.
A whole stream of events issues from the decision,
raising one's favor all manner of
unforseen incidents and meetings and
material assistance which no man
could have dreamed would come his way.

Whatever you can do or
dream you can, begin it!
Boldness has genius, power
and magic in it."

In essense, until you commit yourself 100% to whatever you desire (in this case, better health through eating a vegan, raw diet) there will always be hesistancy, and you'll never reach your goals, whatever they may be.

Something to think about.

All the best for your health!

Mark
"The Raw Guy"