The Leap from Vegan to Raw Vegan

My Raw Journey: The Search for optimum Health Part 2:

By Lief Let Uss

In Last month's column I outlined the case for following a cooked vegan diet in order to avoid the "diseases of affluence" (cancer, heart disease, diabetes and numerous auto-immune diseases). This month I pick up on the early stages of my conversion to the ranks of those convinced that eating raw, or largely raw, is the optimum way to eat if you are concerned about achieving optimum health with optimum taste - that's right - optimum taste! Not a boring and steady diet of salads, but a diet of infinite variety consisting of "the best foods ever." (This expression is that of David Wolfe, one of the gurus of the raw food movement and the author of such popular books as "The Sun Food Diet Success System", "Naked Chocolate" and "Eating for Beauty".)

Having been recruited into the ranks of cooked vegan food on the basis of its health benefits (see last month's column), I had the good fortune to meet people who were eating solely, or mostly, raw food diet and reporting health benefits beyond simply avoiding disease, benefits such as improved energy, greater mental clarity and the roll-back of chronic conditions that had previously plagued them, sometimes for decades. I decided to give it a three month trial and see if I noticed any difference. I took a weekend course on how to prepare raw food; converted the top of my stove to a platform to make room for a powerful high-speed blender and put a dehydrator and a better juicer on my wish list. That was 5 years ago. A 3 month trial turned into a year. Within 8 months the glasses that I had worn for over 30 years were no longer necessary and my dental health had improved. My optometrist, my dentist and the Motor Vehicles were amazed and so was I. I was also hooked on the raw lifestyle and have never looked back.  Books that influenced me, at the time, were: "The Raw Family" by Victoria Boutenko and "Rainbow Green Live Food Cuisine" and "Conscious Eating" both by Dr. Gabriel Cousens MD. The book by Victoria Boutenko portrays the health challenges that this Russian émigré family faced on the SAD (Standard American Diet) and how they overcame these challenges with raw food. It is an easy and inspiring read. Dr. Cousens books guide one in individualizing one's diet to suit one's constitution. There is a fair degree of science in each of his books with the writing style being informative rather than entertaining. Both writers' books are available at the GVPL (Greater Victoria Public Library) as are the writings of David Wolfe. Next month I'll address the question about eating raw that I hear most often: But where do you get your protein? I'll also reveal the raw chocolate macaroon recipe that resulted in my spousal partner joining me on my raw journey: yum yum!

"The information contained in my writing above is subjective and based on my own personal experience. It is not intended to be diagnostic or to replace medical advice. Always consult your primary care physician when making changes that might impact you. Remember that you, ultimately are responsible for your own health."