Welcome to the VIBRANT LIVING NEWSLETTER

The air is crisp, the trees are bursting with color, and those delicious orange globes of delight are everywhere. And no, I don’t mean pumpkins, I’m talking about persimmons. Persimmons are one of my favorite fruits, which are very reasonably priced and many times free as they grow everywhere around my local area. I hope wherever you are that you are able to take advantage of free fruits and vegetables to supplement your diet.

The raw diet has given me a renewed appreciation of the goodness in life all around me. It is the natural order of things and weaves itself throughout one’s days and life. That’s not to say nature, or man, born from nature is never harsh, but the greater good is always more abundant and always overcomes its darker counterpart. We as raw foodists are closer to nature than most and have the ability to spread natural goodness with those we come in contact throughout our days making the world a better place. I thank you now for doing your best to positively influence the outcome of each and every day. Breath deep and enjoy.

In this issue of Vibrant Living I share my thoughts on the recent supposition that the raw food diet is dead. There is a short blurb on how to read those little produce stickers you see in the markets. There are several new raw recipes for your enjoyment and rating….and of course some amusing quotes from people more knowledgeable than I. Enjoy!

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“Sufficient research on GE foods has been completed enough to conclude that GE foods are an explicit danger to human health, the living ecology of the planet and the literal survival of the species. Approximately 62 nations have already banned or mandated labeling of GE foods…wake up America…let’s take action!” ~ Gabriel Cousens M.D.


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Produce Codes Explained

Produce is marked with number codes that show what kind of produce you are purchasing.

If there is a 5 number code starting with 9 it has been grown organically.

If there is a 5 number code starting with 8 it is genetically modified. This code was used years ago, but as soon as big agriculture companies selling GMO’s found out it was detrimental to their sales they quite using it. Let’s hope we see it again one day soon.

If there is a 4 number code starting with4 it is conventionally grown.

If there is a 4 number code starting with 3 it has been irradiated.


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Is the Raw Food Diet Really Dead?

Is it really possible to eat a 100% raw food diet long term? And not just eat it, but to be healthy and thrive. These are good questions and they deserve an honest answer. But why am I, a raw food enthusiast and supporter, even asking the question?

This article is actually inspired by one written by Fredrick Patenaude a short time ago, in which he declares the raw food diet is dead. He further goes on to state that most of the raw food gurus now eat some type of cooked food. Now Frederick has always been one for shocking headlines, and he struggled on the raw diet for years before including some cooked food in his diet, so his article was no surprise to me. I felt this might be a good opportunity to discuss the issue with you.

The truth is many so called raw food gurus have gone back to eating some cooked food in their diets, and there are still many long time raw fooders who are eating a 100% raw food diet. John Kohler, Fred Bisci, Gabriel Cousens, Don Weaver, and Brian Clement are just a few of the better known individuals and there are many like myself who are just normal folk living the 100% raw lifestyle day in and day out year after year with no fanfare and no hype, just because we like it and it works for us.

When I say it works I can only really speak for myself, although I have seen firsthand the vibrancy some of these people have. I personally feel wonderful on the raw diet and can see on a daily basis what it has done and continues to do for me. I follow an all raw diet because it works for me and I think at least at this time that it is the healthiest diet for me.

So how about those leaders/gurus in the raw food movement who don’t partake of a 100% raw food diet. I say so what as long as they are honest about it. If you have been reading my articles for very long you know that I feel most people would be better eating a high raw diet. That’s about 75 to 80% raw and the rest healthy cooked food like steamed vegetables, squash, tubers, or some grains.

If at some time in the future I felt it was better and healthier for me to add some cooked food into my diet I would do it. The raw food diet is not about eating raw food, but rather about eating for health. I used to tell people that if concrete evidence came out concluding that pizza was the healthiest food on the planet I would be all over it. To me it’s about health and in this discussion what foods give me the greatest possible health. For me so far that is a total raw food diet.

So Why the High Raw Diet?

So if the raw diet is so great why do I think most people would be best on a high raw diet? Mainly because long term it would be easier for most. And if it’s easier then perhaps people will stick with it long term. Most people who try a 100% raw diet and can’t maintain it for whatever reason tend to throw it all away and retreat back to what they are comfortable with, and over time they are living in a sick and tired state saying the raw diet didn’t work for them.

My vision is to have hundreds of thousands of people thrive on a high raw diet and to be able to share their success with others, if only through modeling. Success in anything breeds success. What this world really needs right now is a track record of success for a really healthy diet that others can follow. High raw, 100% raw, to me it’s nearly the same anyway, and there may not be that much of a difference between the all raw and high raw diet in terms of health benefits.

If after following the high raw diet for some time a person wants to go the extra mile and be 100% raw then fine. They will have cleaned out their body quite a bit and have a better understanding of the challenges that can present themselves along the raw journey. And at this point if they want to fall back they can comfortably go back to their successful high raw diet.

Perhaps right now you are in a quandary over your raw diet and are searching for solutions. Well then just maybe the high raw diet is your solution. You can start with one raw salad a day and work your way up to high raw at a comfortable rate for you. If you stumble over the holidays get right back up and on your plan. No worries, just pick up and keep following your raw plan. People will respect you for your success in the long run and not care about your stumbles along the way. With continued healthy eating, that which you do most of the time, your body will respond in kind with the gift of good health and vitality.

In answer to the question “Is the Raw Food Diet Really Dead?” I would reply with an emphatic and resounding NO! Not in the least because the benefits are too great and the movement to strong and widespread. As they say, the genie is out of the bottle and there’s no going back now.

Whether it’s high raw or 100%, I’ll see you at the top of the heap.

Be Well and Wonderful, Hugh

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“One of the most important thoughts I want to impart to you is to be an independent researcher and independent thinker.” ~ John Kohler, Raw Foods Enthusiast


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There are a number of new raw recipes on the website, here are several that I think you will really enjoy.

Parsnip and Greens


Health Elixir


Cranberry-Pumkin-Surprise

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“Love cures people - both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.” ~ Dr.Karl Menninger


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Most days I’m posting health information, recipes, testimonies, etc on the facebook page of RAW-FOODS-DIET-CENTER.COM, so if you’re interesting in checking that out you can do that here.


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Discount Super Foods and Such

Although I believe strongly in a diet comprised mostly of fresh raw foods, I do supplement with super green powders, nuts, seeds, sea vegetables, and the occasional dried fruit such as goji berries. If you’re like me you’re always looking for a good deal on quality food whether it’s fresh from the farmers market or purchased online, so I thought I would share with you where I make most of my online purchases.

You may already be aware of the Raw Food World and their “at cost” specials, but if not here you go. When you go to purchase supportive foods like those listed above you can save money and get “at cost” special pricing by going to the link below and clicking on the “at cost” specials tab. This also allows you to save up to 14% on every order of their already good deals. The important thing to remember is that fresh is best and these products are supportive and should not be your mainstay. Enjoy!

Enter Here

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Continuously Updated Web Pages:

There are a number of new testimonies at the website which I hope you will read and pass on to others when you feel they would benefit. And please feel free to leave your own story if you feel moved to do so.

You need not be 100% raw to share a testimony; the fact is most people on the raw diet are not 100% anyway. Your story may inspire someone else, perhaps from the other side of the globe, to give the raw food diet a try.

Success stories.


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Please send me your health questions, they can be submitted anonymously if you prefer, and you may help someone else improve their health and quality life. Your questions.


Please contact me with other questions, feedback and comments here.

Be Well and Wonderful, Hugh

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https://www.raw-foods-diet-center.com

hugh@raw-foods-diet-center.com

MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The contents of my website and my newsletter are gleaned from my experiences and observations, meant only for educational purposes and not intended to replace medical advice, consultations, or treatment of any kind. I recommend you see your professional health care provider if you suspect you have an illness or disease of any kind. I'm not medically trained, and I would never suggest or imply that I know what is best for someone else's body or overall health, ultimately each of us is the only one who knows what's best for us.