The raw food movement is becoming increasingly prominent amongst health advocates, animal & planet lovers, and nutritionists alike. What’s not to love about raw natural nutritious food, right? Oh wait I almost forgot… that means no meat, no dairy, no processed sugar, no refined carbs and the list goes on! What you do get is a fridge full of fresh fruit and vege all ready to be diced, sliced, juiced, blended, fermented and dehydrated.
So what is all the fuss about?! Some friends and I headed to the Raw Food Kitchen in Fremantle Western Australia to take part in a 1 day Intro to Raw workshop… here’s what we learned:
1) Passion is the number one thing which stands out when speaking to raw foodies. Following a plant based diet is much more than just an eating plan- it’s a holistic way of living and nourishing your body. If you are going to stick to something you have to be passionate and believe in it. There is something about passionate people which is infectious, these guys were ridiculously excited about educating and enlightening others- and it was effective! I left there thinking even I could follow vegetarian and vegan principals (I’m a dairy farmers daughter so that’s saying’ something!) Safe to say after coming down from the initial raw high my opinion remains “everything in moderation”…
Passion is the key, live it- breathe it- love it!
2) Preparation is vital when taking the raw route… followers must have a high level of organisation and discipline. There are certain tools of the trade which a raw foodie couldn’t live without. Blenders, food processors, juicers and dehydrators and all handy tools when creating an efficient working environment. Combinations are also important. There is an art to raw food creations, learning which ingredients compliment each other may require a little trial and error. Certain plant-based foods offer particular benefits, understanding the alchemy of this is a whole different subject. Be sure to eat local and in season to boost the benefits of the raw lifestyle.
3) There is much more than meets the eye (or the palate) when it comes to food. Rediscover your senses by eliminating processed foods, not only will you have more energy and less cravings, food will taste better and your sense of smell will be heightened. All of this sound too good to be true? I thought so too, however after almost a month of being my own test dummy I can 100% back up these claims through my personal experience. The light bulb moment for me was understanding that everything we eat is a form of communication, eating is a 2 way relationship we have with our bodies- Make it a healthy one! Feeding our bodies with plant-based, clean natural foods encourages longevity, energy and love. Who doesn’t want to live a long, energetic, healthy and happy life? Thanking our bodies through the nourishment of wholefoods is something that will pay dividends down the track. What we leave out of our bodies is as important as what we put in… the old saying “you are what you eat” has never been more true.
4) Food can be used as a form of preventative medicine. And no, this doesn’t mean food is a way of self medicating… half a block of chocolate sound familiar anyone? I’ll admit, I have been a prime offender of using food as a way of getting a quick fix. Comfort eating is a huge issue and one which is closely related to the relationship we have with food. The short-term deliciousness and satisfaction is almost always replaced with feelings of tiredness, guilt, bloating and even nausea. Unfortunately what the mind tells us we want and what our bodies actually need are often two completely different things! When a diet of natural, nutritious wholefood is adopted there are long-term health benefits which banish nasties, such as disease and illness.
Let’s face it, the majority of us know the basic fundamentals of health. The key is to find an achievable and sustainable way to incorporate this into our everyday lives. It is fascinating and overwhelming learning all the new trends and latest diet discovery fads, and the truth is there is no one fit of all. Personally, I prefer to take bits and pieces of advice and work with what feels best for me in my lifestyle and what resonates within me. Without a doubt, raw food offers a range of benefits and many of the elements of raw are easily incorporated into daily routine. Green smoothies are a great one! What works for some of us may not work for others, listen to your body and give it what it deserves. At the end of the day it’s a personal choice, choose to be your best possible self. Here’s to optimal health and vitality!
Delicious Zucchini Pasta served up by the Raw Food Kitchen-Fremantle
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