GO RAW!!

I am really into "raw foods" and it's amazing benefits to the body inside and out! People boast about amazing results from eating raw such as weight loss, energy and a clearer complexion. I've been reading my book " The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw" and really am starting to understand that raw foods contain lots of powerful ingredients that are lost when food is cooked above 116 degrees. Raw foods have high levels of enzymes and vital nutrients. One of the most important part of raw foods are the enzymes they contain. Enzymes are the life force in all living things. They are responsible for building, detoxifying and healing the body and help with digestion and metabolism. Enzymes basically are responsible for regulating tens of thousands of other biochemical functions in the body. Raw foods are also filled with Phytonutrients which prevent certain diseases as well as have a high water content which fills you up quicker and helps you loose weight. Raw foods are also jammed packed with antioxidents which help prevent free radical damage by stabilizing the free radicals formed by the body and also help slow the aging process as well as help give you glowing skin (SOLD)! Raw foods are also high in fiber which helps lower cholesterol and helps you loose weight as well.

These uncooked foods also have essential fatty acids (EFA) which are linoleic and linolenic acid. Our bodies need EFA for blood clotting, brain development and controlling inflammation.

I talked about the myth of protein and how so many of us think we need it from animal meat. We now know there are many foods other than meat that will give us more than enough protein our bodies need, and the "raw foods" advocates suggest that the proteins in raw foods is easier for the body to absorb than the protein in cooked foods.

Here is a list of protein rich raw foods from "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw":

• NUTS: almonds, brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, coconut, cashews and walnuts
• SEEDS: pumpkin, sesame, flax, hemp and sunflower
• VEGETABLES: spinach, kale, peppers, shitake mushrooms, garlic and sea vegetables
• FRUITS: apricots, peaches, currants, prunes, raisins, figs, dates, avocados
• SPROUTED GRAINS (they have a section on how to sprout foods to make them "living") such as quinoa, buckwheat, and wheat berries
• SPROUTED LEGUMES such as lentils and garbanzo beans

Most of the foods listed above are also high in calcium, but they tout sesame seeds as being one of THE best sources of calcium. I have been drinking rice milk and almond milk (which my kids now drink - no more cow's milk in this house) but their recipe for Sesame Milk looks good and it provides 70% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for calcium. The recipe is to take 1/2 cup unhulled sesame seeds and put in blender with 1/2 cup water and blend until paste starts to form. Slowly add 1 1/2 cups water while blending. Add 1TB maple syrup or agave nectar and blend for 10 more seconds. Strain through fine mesh strainer. - store in airtight glass container in fridge for 3 or 4 days.

I bought my sesame seeds today at Whole Foods and will let you know how it turns out!

TAKE AWAY:

Going to watch Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - which I Tivoed (is that a word?). It's about his journey to Huntington West, VA, which has a high percentage of overweight, obese and generally unhealthy people. His quest is to teach them simple ways to eat healthier and loose weight.

Also, my friend Ellen, who is also a follower of this blog, has really changed the way she eats and is a fan of the "green smoothie". She added a banana to the green smoothie recipe I gave ya'll a week or so ago, and she said it made all the difference in the world! I then read in my "Idiot's Guide..." a similar recipe. It called for Kale, fresh lime juice, pineapple and banana - YUM - I'm making it in the morning - ain't no better way to get that amazingly healthy kale!