A Look at the Raw Food Detox Diet Plan
If you decide to try the raw food diet, prepare for a mild detoxification of the body! This food plan emphasizes eating organic and fresh foods. All foods are uncooked and unprocessed. In particular the diet leans towards plenty of uncooked fruits and vegetables.
The raw food detox diet plan is a way to shed unwanted pounds. This is done by way of the detoxifying nature of the food plan. By getting rid of toxins and waste from the body you can lose weight. You will not only feel better on the inside but you will look better on the outside!
The idea that underscores the raw food detox diet plan is that when foods are cooked at temperatures above 118 degrees Fahrenheit, live enzymes are then destroyed in the food. This makes the food less healthy to consume. It is also a roadblock to proper metabolism.
For this reason, on the raw food detox diet plan foods are not cooked above this temperature in order to preserve the live enzymes in them.
Other Important Tidbits about this Diet:
-Do not combine different types of foods at a meal. For example it is okay to eat nuts, seeds and dried fruits together but fresh fruits should not be eaten at the same time.
-Raw vegetables and condiments are neutral foods. These can be combined with the foods noted above, with the exception of fresh fruit. Raw vegetables and fruits should be kept separate.
-You might want to invest in a colon cleansing product, or to use enemas to support your body in ridding itself of waste materials.
The raw food detox diet is not a vegan diet per se. Although most of the foods eaten on the diet are plant sources, you are allowed a small portion of dairy and meat products. It is permissible to cook some of the meals.
How do I begin the raw food detox diet?
First thing you need to do is to get rid of all processed and junk foods from your diet. Say goodbye to white bread, pasta, cereal, rice, processed soy products, potato chips, etc. Introduce whole foods to your diet instead. Examples include whole grains, raw honey, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and dried fruits.
Start slow with the substituting of bad foods for good. Add more and more raw foods to your diet all of the time. This should encourage the colon cleansing process as well as paving the road to a more slender you.
If you have a juicer, try this recipe:
Green Lemonade
Ingredients:
1 head romaine lettuce
5- 6 leaves of dark leafy green vegetables (examples include kale, spinach, collards, celery, dandelion greens)
1 whole lemon (including the peel and seeds)
2 Fuji apples, cored (for an even sweeter tasting drink, had a third apple!)
Juice the healthy concoction and then drink to your good health!
Age Gracefully with a Raw Food Diet
A raw diet food for anti-aging? Is this a new fad, you may say, to make us buy more products we don’t need? Fortunately, the raw food diet is not a fad. It’s a lifestyle that has been in existence for thousands of years, even before cavemen started to cook with fire.
Before there was fire, cavemen or humans and wild mammals used eat their food, raw and untouched. Consider this: our human life only spans up to four times our maturation age, that’s about 80-90 years old, if we’re lucky. But wild mammals can live up to eight times their maturation age! It’s not all due to having raw food in their diet but it certainly is a reason for their long life.
But how does eating raw food help in anti-aging? The body is composed of living cells, which need food in order to be strong and stay strong. However cells do die naturally and need to be replaced to ensure proper function of the body. There are three ways a cell can replace itself.
1. A cell can replace itself with a weaker cell called degeneration. A cell becomes weak when it doesn’t receive the right amount of nutritional foods.
2. A cell replaces itself with a cell of the same strength, therefore keeping the body at the same level and not improving it.
3. A cell is replaced with a stronger and better cell, charged with an abundance of energy and the right amount of raw materials. This anti-aging process is called regeneration.
When food is cooked, the food loses about 50% to 80% of its nutrient value. Cooking also alters the protein content of food and becomes harder to digest, which in turn produces toxins or acids in the body that cause fatigue, pain and aging. This acid or toxin must be neutralized by foods that produce alkali.
What are examples of alkali-producing food? These foods include fruits, vegetables and organic food, such as raw nuts and seeds, organic cottage cheese and yogurt and olive oil among others.
It is important that these food products have not processed and contaminated with chemicals. However, we must remember not to avoid acid-producing food products as there should still be a balance.
What are the benefits of having a raw food diet? Eating raw food aids in the decline of the risk of diabetes, digestive ailments and chronic and heart diseases. Eating raw foods also gives you more energy, a healthier looking skin, aids in weight loss and slows the process of aging.
So how can you start adding raw food to your diet? You don’t have to totally eradicate everything cooked to your diet for this because no one can live off of nuts and seeds forever.
The key here is to slowly increase the amount of raw food you eat to your diet. You can start with having a freshly-squeezed fruit juice in the morning with your breakfast. Or eating vegetable sticks for a mid-morning snack. Or have a fresh vegetable salad with your lunch.
Here’s something you can use to start your raw food diet.
Mashed "Potatoes"
Ingredients:
• 6 cups chopped cauliflower
• 1/4 cups flax oil
• seasoning to taste
Place chopped cauliflower in a food processor with an "S" blade and chop until it becomes grainy. Cook with a low temperature in a large pot or a slow cooker or an electric skillet. Add oil, spices and cauliflower. Stir and toss until coated and warmed to 105 degrees. You can also serve this with mushroom gravy.
The Benefits of a Raw Food Pregnancy
Were you considering a raw food diet, only to discover that you are pregnant and now you’re wondering if it is still OK to continue with your plan?
Or perhaps you are already on a raw food diet and want to know if it is safe to continue during your pregnancy?
The answer to both questions is Yes.
Not only is it safe to begin or continue a raw food diet when you’re pregnant, it is extremely healthy for both you and your growing baby.
So why is a raw food diet good for you and your baby? Read on to find out the benefits of going raw.
1. Eating a raw food diet will give you all the good vitamins, minerals, enzymes and co-factors your baby needs. And, because it is raw food, you will eliminate the unhealthy toxins and salt and fatty overdoses you want to avoid.
2. Your energy levels will increase which will lead to a healthy, active pregnancy. Bring your baby into a happy, high-energy home with a raw food diet, which will boost your overall liveliness levels, both inside and out.
3. Many women have noted that during a raw pregnancy, the typical symptoms are dramatically decreased. This means less vomiting, less nerve pain and less weight gain. There is also a reduced chance of early contractions.
There are two things to keep in mind, however, when planning a raw diet if pregnant.
First, remember you are eating for two now! This means you will need more nutrients. I would recommend incorporating 10 per cent cooked food into your diet as well as vitamins, just to make sure the baby is getting all the nutrients he or she needs.
Second, just because you are on a raw food diet doesn’t mean the cravings will stop. However, it is possible to satisfy those crazy cravings and maintain your diet. Check out the recipe below for tasty apple raisin cookies.
Soak 2 cups sunflower seeds for 4 hours, then rinse. Soak 1 cup walnuts for 2 hours, then rinse. Process the sunflower seeds with 2 bananas through a juicer. Mix together 2 grated apples, ½ cup dates, 1 cup raisons, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp of flax oil plus the juiced banana-sunflower seed mixture.
Spoon the dough on a dehydrator tray with a teflex sheet and mould into round cookies. Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 4 hours. Turn the cookies over and remove the teflex sheet. Then continue dehydrating for approximately 3-5 more hours for a tasty treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth craving.
This little treat combined with other healthy raw foods will lead to a healthy lifestyle for both you and your little one.
Life on the Raw Food Diet
The raw food diet may not sound like the most appealing diet to you and I, but the fact is this diet has many benefits that aid in losing weight. Losing weight is only one of the benefits of being on this particular diet.
It gives increased energy levels and better heart conditions which lessen your chances of heart disease.
You may be asking yourself what exactly is the raw food diet? This diet consists of plant foods that are not cooked. Things like nuts, beans, dried fruits, and fresh fruits and vegetables are the main sources of food in this diet.
Here is one recipe a person living on the raw food diet may end up eating as part of the raw food diet. Keep in mind this diet consists mostly of uncooked foods.
A Bread substitute could be Rye Crackers.
1. This could be 1 cup of sprouted wheat.
2. 1 cup of sprouted rye.
3. Honey or dates can be added to this recipe to sweeten up the taste. Just add as much needed to achieve the taste you may desire.
4. Brags Aminos can also be added to the crackers to give added taste and flavor. This is a non-fermented soy sauce.
5.1 Tablespoon of caraway seeds. These are known as dried caraway fruits.
6. You can choose to chop an onion if you so desire.
7. The wheat and rye need 1 day to sprout. Use a food processor for the dates, onions, seeds, and honey.
8. When the achieve a nice consistency put onto a dehydrator tray for up to 6 hours at 105 degrees and then flip.
9. You want to dehydrate until you achieve the desired consistency to spread over the crackers. You can also add other seasonings if you so choose to your crackers. Anything you think may give it a nice kick or bite.
It is good to keep in mind that this diet is not for everyone. I can imagine it takes a lot of commitment and discipline to be on a diet such as this. If you are considering the raw diet here are some things to keep in mind.
1. Always consult your physician before starting any diet. You doctor will tell you if this diet would be a good match for you and your health needs.
2. Find out if you have any type of sugar problems or lacking specific vitamins. Some diets may not give enough of the nutrients your body needs to survive.
3. As part of any diet it is important to exercise along with a diet program. This helps reinforce any goals you may wish to obtain.
If you think you may like to try the raw food diet and start an exercise program, it’s important to write down and keep track of your progress as well as your goals. You then can compare if the program is working successfully or not.
The Low Carb Raw Food Diet
If you are sick of meat and want another alternative to your raw food diet, vegetarian dishes are highly recommended when on this particular diet.
These dishes can range from fruits, vegetables, and nuts and they can be eaten all the time.
When it comes to vegetarian dishes, many people have a misconception that you have to be a special person to be a vegetarian. This is just another dieters option if you so choose.
A lot of dieters fear consuming anymore meat because of what it can rotationally do to their waistline. If this is you there are other options made available.
You may be familiar with the term Tofu; this is a meat substitute that is used by vegetarians alike. There are also vegetarian chicken, steak, shrimp, etc.
Using meat substitutes is recommended when dining. These substitutes can smell, taste and feel like real meat. You may beg to differ if you have tried these substitutes. If you were a big meat person, most likely you will taste the differences and may choose to not go this route
Low Carb pastas are also recommended on the raw food diet.
There are so many recipe possibilities that you can try. Here is a suggested low carb recipe.
Faux Pasta
1 This dish has 2 net carbs per serving. This recipe makes about 2 servings.
2. You will need just a tiny pinch of salt.
3. Soy Protein Isolate is needed, about 1/2 cup will do.
4. You will need about 2 Tablespoons of vital wheat gluten.
5. Soy flour is necessary, you will need 1 Tablespoon.
6. You will need 1 egg.
7. You will need 1 quarter cup of water.
Mix the salt, soy protein, wheat gluten and flour together in a small bowl. Mix thoroughly.
Mix the egg and water together until you get a doughy consistency much like that of bread. You may need to add more water.
You can then roll the dough into pieces or strips, a roller is recommended.
Add the dough to boiling water for up to 2 minutes. You will want to stir frequently to prevent the dough from turning into a gummy texture.
You will need a strainer so that you can properly drain the water.
You can add whatever type of sauce to your dish to make it enjoyable. A pasta sauce or pesto is a nice touch.
The Right Way to Eat Raw
I’m sure you’re heard it before. A raw food diet is beneficial to your health. However, perhaps you didn’t know that the benefits of a raw food diet are threefold.
First, eating a raw food diet is the easiest way to remove fat from your diet. Second, it is the quickest way to lose weight, and finally, it is the best way to approach an eating disorder. You don’t need to starve yourself and you will never have that awful tired feeling of overeating.
It’s the perfect medium and it will benefit you on the outside as well as the inside.
So, how exactly do you eat a raw food diet? Do you just eat lettuce all day long, like a rabbit? Or do you eat some raw food during the day and a cooked meal at night? Read on to find out:
- When and What to Eat:
You don’t have to snack on lettuce throughout the day to be on a raw food diet. You can still eat your three main meals and two snacks per day like on any other diet. However, it’s best to eat more fruits in the morning and save your vegetables for later on in the day, due to digestion.
For snacks, try nuts, fruit smoothies or coconut milk. Also, make sure you drink plenty of water and juices throughout the day.
- Mixing Raw with Cooked:
It is generally not a good idea to mix cooked and raw food together. However, some people add cooked vegetables, fish and poultry to their diet. Adding too much will cause acid indigestion.
To get the most benefit from this diet, stick to the raw food.
- Getting the Extra Vitamins:
Because raw food lacks the protein found in meat, I find it necessary to take certain supplements to limit these deficiencies. 20 milligrams of Vitamin B and an Iron pill will keep your protein levels up. Also, adding a copper and zinc supplement will add these precious minerals to your diet. And, finally, take a Vitamin D tablet for additional calcium.
Try this simple and easy recipe for lunch and see the difference that raw food makes: Put cubed avocadoes, mangoes and papayas and rings of red onions in a bowl and mix together. Using a juicer, squeeze one orange and one lemon and blend with a teaspoon of honey to sweeten in. Drizzle over the fruit mixture for the perfect fruit salad.
Keeping to this diet has increased my energy and confidence levels and gotten rid of that excess fat that normal diet and exercise couldn’t. Eating raw food is not just a change in your diet; it’s a transformation for your body, soul and your entire lifestyle. And it’s a change I would highly recommend trying!
Cooking with Oatmeal
Not too many people favor oatmeal but it brings so many health benefits that you may not even be aware of. It is very high in fiber and highly favored by doctors.
What exactly is oatmeal? Oatmeal comes from oat grains which is a cereal grass. Of course you have heard of Quaker oatmeal, which is a cooked and mushy cereal which not too many people enjoy.
Oats and Oatmeal comes in different forms.
1. Oats that have been cleaned are known as Oat groats.
2. Oat groats that are steamed, pressed, and dried are also called Rolled Oats.
3. Oats that are cut into pieces and thinly rolled are called quick cooking oats.
4. Oatmeal that has been pre-cooked and then dried is instant oatmeal.
5. Oats that are gluten-free is Oat flour.
6. Oat grain that is high in fiber is known as Oat bran.
7. Steel-cut oats or also known as scotch oats are unrolled and cut into pieces, 3 most.
Here are some tips that you may find helpful when cooking with oatmeal.
1. Old fashioned oatmeal can be used in any recipe.
2. Instant oatmeal is not recommended for baked goods.
3. Oatmeal can be used in meatloaf.
4. Use flour in soups or even stews.
5. You can use spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, mace, and ginger with oatmeal, gives a nice added flavor.
Here is a suggested oatmeal recipe.
Homemade Granola
1. You will need about 1 1/2 cups of uncooked quick rolled oats.
2. You will need bran cereal flakes, about 2 cups.
3. Sunflower seeds are recommended, you will need about 1 cup.
4. You will need raisins, about 1 and a half cups will do.
5. You will need sesame seeds, about 1 cup.
6. Chopped pecans are a nice addition to this recipe; you will need about half a cup.
7. For the coconut lovers you will need about 1/2 a cup of flaked coconut.
8. Vegetable Oil is necessary about 1/2 a cup will do.
9. If you love honey this is sure to please, you will need 1/2 a cup.
10. Molasses bring a unique flavor, only about 1 Tbsp is recommended.
11. You will need 1 tsp of vanilla extract.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees for this recipe. You will need a jellyroll pan, preferably a large one. It will need to be lined with parchment paper.
Place these ingredients in a large mixing bowl: Oats, cereal flakes, seeds, and coconut.
Mix the oil, honey, molasses, and vanilla in a saucepan, preferably a heavy one. It should be simmered over medium heat.
You are then going to pour the mixture on top of the granola and gently toss until it is covered completely. You will then need to evenly spread the granola over the pan.
Bake until golden brown for up to 20 minutes, 15 minutes least. It will need to cool at room temperature then stored in containers that are air tight.
A Simple Lesson on How to Make Your Own Crackers
Just about everyone loves crackers. Whether as an accompaniment to a salad or with a slice of cheese, simple crackers are both filling and tasty. Here is a basic recipe that anyone can follow in order to make fresh crackers at home.
In order to begin the process, gather the following ingredients together:
* 9 cups of plain flour, sifted
* 2 cups of warm but not hot water
* 1 cake of yeast
* 1 teaspoon of baking soda
* 1 tablespoon of iodized salt
* 1 cup of lard or vegetable shortening, melted
With the ingredients assembled, it is time to begin creating the crackers.
1. Begin the process by adding 4 cups of the sifted flour to a bowl. Measure 1 3/4 cup of the warm water into a measuring cup and add to the flour. Set to one side for a moment.
2. Soften the cake of yeast in a quarter cup of the warm water. This should only take a few moments.
3. Combine the flour, water, and softened cake of yeast. Mix thoroughly, and then cover the bowl with cheesecloth. Set the bowl in a warm spot overnight.
4. The next day, add the salt and baking soda, taking care to blend thoroughly.
5. Introduce the lard or vegetable shortening and knead into the mixture, until the dough is smooth.
6. Cover the mixture and allow it to rise. The mixture should become roughly twice the original size.
7. Turn out the dough on a cutting board that has been lightly dusted with flour. Knead the dough until the mixture is not sticky. Divide the dough into small portions and roll into thin sheets with a rolling pin.
8. Cut out the crackers using cookie cutters or by cutting with a sharp knife. Place the thin crackers on a greased cookie sheet and prick each one with a fork.
9. Bake the crackers at around 500 degrees Fahrenheit for fifteen minutes, or until they are a golden brown. Allow the crackers to cool thoroughly. The end result should be a crisp and tasty cracker.
The great thing about these crackers is they can be made using ingredients that are normally found in any kitchen. While this recipe does take some time, the end results are well worth it. The crackers can be shaped any way you like, which makes them ideal to serve with different soups or salads, or even as a fun treat with a layer of cheese or peanut butter.
Living Foods Recipes for the Raw Food Diet
After doing research on all types of diets such as the raw food diet, you are now ready to make a decision that will better your health. You will need to find raw living recipes that will help you on this diet.
Finding the right recipes can be a challenge when you are first starting out. All the choices can be overwhelming especially when going to the grocery store and finding the right ingredients for this raw living food diet.
To help with your search try locating recipes online or through cookbooks. You can search for raw living recipes that may spark your interest.
Health food stores are sure to help you out with the raw living diet since they most likely will have everything you are searching for.
If you find that there are no health food stores in your area, check out the organic food section of your local supermarket. They may have everything you need for raw living recipes.
Here is a suggested recipe that may help you get started with the raw living diet.
Vegan Pesto
1. It will take about 10 minutes to prepare this recipe.
2. You will need fresh basil, about 1 1/2 cups.
3. You will need olive oil, about 1/3 cup.
4. Pine nuts are recommended for this raw living recipe although you may substitute with almonds or walnuts. You will need about 1 cup.
5. You will need cloves of garlic. About 5 of them are recommended.
6. Nutritional yeast is a necessary ingredient for the raw living diet. About 1/3 cup is needed.
7. You will need about 3/4 teaspoon of salt.
8. About 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper adds extra flavor to the pesto.
A food processor is necessary to combine all the ingredients. You should thoroughly process until the nuts are ground. The pesto should not be creamy but have a slight texture to it. If you desire, you can add more salt and pepper to give it extra flavor.
Raw food living recipes are essential to the raw food diet. Staying disciplined and committed to the foods required in the diet are very important in achieving the goals you desire.
After the first two weeks, you may start to notice changes such as increased energy levels and a healthier heart, which can be confirmed by your doctor. You may also notice that you may have dropped a couple of pounds. When you see these results, the raw food diet will be easier to stick to giving you motivation to keep going.
Starting A Raw Food Diet: How To Create A Raw Food Diet
So you’ve decided to start a raw food diet. But where do you start? How will you do it? Don’t worry. Starting a raw food diet is easier than you think.
Let’s start with the very first thing you will need to create a raw food diet: a weekly meal plan. A weekly meal plan keeps you organized and lets you know if you’re on track and following your desire to start and stick to a raw food diet. Make sure that raw food is evenly distributed every day and is always
present. Raw food diet practitioners believe that the raw food diet must consist of 75% raw food to effectively work.
Look for sources of raw and organic food products, including fruits, vegetables and dairy products. There are products that are widely distributed and easy
to find and there are some that are only available in certain areas and you’ll have to know these areas beforehand. And there are some food products that
are not available locally and you’ll have to search for substitutes for those food products.
Before you start, remember that raw food doesn’t mean going vegan automatically. There are other raw food options besides eating raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Raw food also includes sushi, unpasteurized milk, eggs and cheese.
Here are some recipes to get you started on your raw food diet.
Sushi Rolls
Ingredients:
• Seaweed sheets (nori, dried not roasted)
• Carrot, grated
• Avocado
• Cucumber
• Nama shoyu (unpasteurized soy sauce)
Slice cucumber into thin sticks and place them, lying down, on the seaweed. Then place grated carrots. Slice the avocado into 4 and slice it again into two
and place it next to the cucumber. Sprinkle it with the nama shoyu and roll it up. You can also add a lettuce leaf or more vegetables if you want. Instead
of the nama shoyu, you can also use sprouts.
Basil Crackers
Ingredients:
• 5 cups carrot or vegetable pulp from juicing
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• ½ cup basil or cilantro, chopped
• 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup (or more) sprouted and crushed nuts (any kind)
• Sea salt to taste
Using a dehydrator, spread all ingredients with a spatula on its tray and dehydrate it for about eight hours or until it is completely dry. Serve it with some guacamole or other dip.
Sparkling Memory (smoothie)
Ingredients:
• 4-5 medium size carrots
• 3 stalks of celery (you can add the leaves if you want)
• ¼ head, small cabbage, cut into sections to fit the juicer
• ¼ organic lemon (peel lemon if not organic, optional)
Cut the green tops of the carrots and scrub without peeling. Wash the celery and the cabbage before placing it in the juicer along with the carrots. Add
lemon if you want. Stir the juice and pour into glass. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
