raw2zen - Latest Comments

Re: Cultivating a Positive Attitude to Start the New Year

Randomguru — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 16:49:21 -0000

testing... there's been some issues with Discus, so just checking the commenting feature.

Re: A Basic Raw Cacao Banana Smoothie

randomguru — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:13:32 -0000

I tried this version with maca powder and it's real good too!
http://noddyboom.typepad.co...

Re: Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future

karen kellock — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 09:56:35 -0000

After a few weeks of the superfood smoothie lifestyle, going back to "ordinary" foods, cooked foods or old medications will make you very sick. In my case the food refused to digest and a day later the body kept creating more acid--the immune system saw it as a toxic invader. On another occasion the body "collected" ten pounds of water in ONE DAY to dilute the poison of an old medication (prevacid). Cacao (filled with magnesium, a diuretic) helped me to lose the ten pounds the next day--a miracle. These two events made me very leery of going back, and it's a good thing.

Re: Day 69 – The Challenges of Being Raw

Ginny Fisher — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:30:50 -0000

I agree with your frustration at others refusal to try even a little more raw food. I walk through the grocery store and can assess some obvious health conditions (I'm an RN) and then I look at what's in their grocery cart I know why those conditions exist! It's sad, but I'm thankful for what I know about living a high raw lifestyle. I thankful for feeling so healthy and energetic when I'm behaving myself, and I'm even thankful for feeling not so good when I misbehave. Why--because it gets me scurring right back on my raw path. Health to you. Ginny Fisher

Re: Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future

JamesD — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:05:27 -0000

Thanks for the useful info. It's so interesting

Re: Day 75 of My 100% Raw Food Journey

Trimberry Acai — Sat, 23 May 2009 04:31:42 -0000

Great post! Acai is an awesome product and it's really just exploding.

Rachael Ray rated Acai Berry #1 Superfood! For example, check out this awesome Acai product:

http://bit.ly/Trimberry-Acai

Re: The Philosophy of Kindness…

randomguru — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 10:35:33 -0000

@earthmother

nice quote... words to live by.

i totally agree about the "balance" concept. and in the past i didn't really care what i ate, nor paid much attention to what i ate.

if anything, raw foods have helped me to pay particular attention to what i eat, when i eat, how much, etc.

when back in the day, even if i was a vegan, i was pigging out on vegan pizza, tons of spaghetti, torpedo sandwiches. and realizing just how hedonistic i actually was and not doing my body, mind and soul any good.

the SAD diet is, in fact, sad...

Re: The Philosophy of Kindness…

EarthMother - In The Raw — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:07:46 -0000

I agree — balance is key. One of the many many gifts I've received from this lifestyle is the ability to listen to and take my cues from my body. That may seem like second nature to many, but trust me, I spent so many years completely detached from my body that I didn't have a clue. What a blessing to be able to listen and respond to my body when it says, "Uh no, that's enough nuts for now, thank you" or "I need dark leafy greens NOW." :D

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

~ The Dalai Lama

Re: 7 Powerful Reasons To Eat Raw

randomguru — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:20:27 -0000

@Sam

I do know from personal experience, witnessing people's eating habits that 1) we are what we eat, and 2) we will pay the price, depending what we eat.

I knew someone while working at a bank, who suddenly started eating a steak sandwich every single day for breakfast. He'd buy this steak sandwich daily from this local deli near work. Nine months later, he died of a heart attack at the age of 38.

So, we definitely are what we eat. And what we don't eat.

Now, I can only speak from personal experience that, as a drummer at the age of 51, I am quite active and feeling healthier and more energetic while on a raw foods diet.

I don't know how one will feel if they try a raw foods diet. But, I am able to help control my blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyeride levels when I am eating at least a "high-raw" diet.

Now also, when I was a heavy meat eater in the distance past. I always had heartburn after eating meat, hamburgers, hotdogs. Heartburn is non-existent in my raw vegan diet.

But as far as energy. I'm totally sold on the fact that a raw vegan diet can boost energy levels. To me that is a fact. There just isn't enough research out there because our current collective social mindset doesn't allow that. But using myself as a guinea pig and from personal experience. My health has definitely improved whenever I went raw. And quickly started feeling unhealthy during the once or twice that I went back to eating meat, and other cooked foods.

But we can only believe once we've tried things out from personal experience. Seeing and experiencing is believing.

Re: 7 Powerful Reasons To Eat Raw

Sam — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:23:50 -0000

I hate to poo-poo, but can you provide ANY hard evidence (not anecdotal) to support the health based claims made above?

Such as:
Gain More Energy, Clarity and Focus
Look Younger Than Your Age
Clean and Detoxify The Body Naturally

Furhter, can you explain what the 'toxins' are that are cleansed through this diet?

I am not trolling but honestly curious. It seems quite possible that a raw foods diet has great health benefits, but I haven't yet seen any proof of this outside of what would normally be expected of someone who stopped eating meat and started eating a lot more veggies. Why 'Raw'?

Re: Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future

randomguru — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 12:21:34 -0000

@earthmother - thanks for the inquiry. it's been a month or two of hard times for me as far as gigs. and i've been trying to work online more.

i attempted to go back to cooked foods, only on weekends. being that no one in my family is raw, and trying to find common ground. but that didn't work because "cooked" foods made me sick. i discovered i can never go back to cooked foods, which is actually a good thing. i had to reinforce that raw was the way to go for me. and my digestive system loves raw better.

Re: Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future

EarthMother - In The Raw — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:15:46 -0000

tap tap tap

Helloooooooo? Is it really you?

Spring is the season of rebirth after all. :D

I am going to trust you are well and have been busy playing lots of music gigs.

Glad you've resurfaced in the land of raw foods.

xo!

Re: 9 Essential Superfoods for Optimum Health

Alexwebmaster — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:19:38 -0000

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Re: Zen and the Art of Salad Presentation

Tainuki Girl — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 15:25:08 -0000

I find your food diary to be *very* interesting, and your photos to be incredibly inspirational. I am just starting out with raw food and watching your progress is helpful. Your presentation is just gorgeous. Friends ask "why bother?" when it's just for me, but when my meal is aesthetically beautiful, it lends another dimension of satisfaction. Thanks for your amazing site!

Re: Day 75 of My 100% Raw Food Journey

Wendi Dee — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:54:17 -0000

You are doing so wonderful with your raw food journey/goal, Carlos! Congratulations!!

I want to eat at your home--the food pics are beautiful and I love your daily menu!

Lots of love to you,

Wendi
XOXOXO

Re: A 2009 Start: Around The Rawgosphere!

Debbie — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 12:05:08 -0000

Carlos!
love that salad, how beautiful it looks, must have tasted great!
deb xoxo

Re: Day 75 of My 100% Raw Food Journey

randomguru — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:20:44 -0000

Eva: thank you! i will definitely post more up for sure.

yes, i don't weigh myself, and i just watched something on youtube that recommended the same thing. it's just too hard. and what would happen if i gained a little weight one day? i'd just get depressed and thinking that the raw food diet isn't working.

anyway, it's all about eating super healthy raw foods. the body weight will naturally find its ideal. the main think is how one looks, feels and transforms on this raw foods diet.

my clothes are definitely getting looser, i'm feeling better, and have more energy. i think that if one keeps feeling that way then they're on the right track...

Re: Day 75 of My 100% Raw Food Journey

randomguru — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:16:22 -0000

Earthmother: thank you! i appreciate the kind words. well, the rest of the family isn't eating the meals i prepare. just myself. but, i've been so busy lately i've had no time to prepare or take photos lately of the food i eat.

the clincher is i still prepare the foods my family eats. the cooked stuff. it's strange but i can do it. i just have to distance myself from the cravings. i think all that yoga and meditation has helped. :o)

Re: Day 75 of My 100% Raw Food Journey

Eva — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 21:11:45 -0000

Well done on making it to day 75! I am glad that the raw food is working so well for you. Good on you for not looking at the scales. I have made the same experience that the scales and how you feel in your clothes sometimes don't add up, so it's better to go by you intuition.

Great photos as always. Love the crackers!
Eva

Re: Day 75 of My 100% Raw Food Journey

earthmother — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:38:22 -0000

Congratulations on Day 75. Woo Hoo!

Tell me, does the rest of the family sit down to such gorgeous looking meals and snacks too? Just beautiful, Carlos.

Re: Zen and the Art of Making Almond Milk

annie — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:17:22 -0000

oh that actually sounds really yummy! i love this site carlos, you're really teaching me a lot of healthy alternatives to things i love :) ie: almond... helllllloooooooo i have been munching on them all day :D i just have to find some unsalted ones. the ones i have are roasted with seasalt.

Re: Zen and the Art of Making Almond Milk

randomguru — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 03:36:24 -0000

Hi Annie!

I didn't include this, but you can mix in a little raw honey or agave nectar (to taste) with the almond milk.

I usually don't because I make a smoothie with the almond milk, anyway.

Also, I've been making cashew milk and love the flavor and aroma of this nut milk. It really makes a difference when making a chocolate (raw cacao) smoothie.

Re: Zen and the Art of Making Almond Milk

annie — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:22:37 -0000

i have got to try this as i LOVE almonds and i can't drink regular milk cuz it makes me feel sick. how do you make the almond cheese? will you post a recipe? :)

Re: Day 69 – The Challenges of Being Raw

randomguru — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 15:51:32 -0000

Hi earthmother!

Thanks so much! That sandwich was yummy and I wanted to get a closer shot of it for the details. Yes, that bread by Lydia's Organics is nice, if a bit small and interesting. It's recommended that you soak the bread in water for a split second to soften it up. Otherwise, it's too hard for the teeth. (I learned the hard way)

Well thanks for empathy. I'll have to check out that book you recommend by the Boutenko children? I'm familiar with their story from youtube videos, but I should start reading their books as well.

Thanks for the recommendation and your moral support! :o)

Re: Day 69 – The Challenges of Being Raw

earthmother — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 13:32:05 -0000

What time is lunch being served? ;) Your sandwich looks divine. Next time I'm at Whole Foods, I'm looking for that bread (Lydia's) you mentioned in your previous post. You know, I have yet to try any raw bread or crackers. I think it's about time.

I am so sorry you are not feeling supported in your chosen lifestyle, Carlos. I just finished a wonderful book you might want to check out – Fresh by Sergei and Valya Boutenko. Besides being chock full of wonderful recipes, these two amazing young adults offer profound insights from their own journey toward health and healing. Now in their twenties, both adopted a raw foods lifestyle when they were still in grade school. They talk about what it's like to stay with the raw diet even when friends and medical doctors were advising them otherwise. I was just blown away by them. Very inspirational read.