Interesting stuff from Wikipedia

However, archaeological evidence suggests that cooking pre-dates the anatomically modern human form.

showed that enzymes in uncooked foods are released in the mouth when vegetables are chewed. It is believed that these enzymes interact with other substances, notably the enzymes produced by the body itself, to aid the digestion process

Leslie Kenton's book, The New Raw Energy, in 1984 popularized food such as sprouts, seeds, and fresh vegetable juices, which have become staples in many different food cultures. The book brought together research into raw foodism and its support of health, citing examples such as the sprouted seed enriched diets of the long lived Himalayan Hunza people, as well as Max Gerson's claim of a raw juice-based cancer cure. The book advocates a diet of 75% raw food in order to prevent degenerative diseases, slow the effects of aging, provide enhanced energy, and boost emotional balance.

Freezing food is acceptable; some raw foodists choose to preserve nuts and seeds in a freezer. Although freezing decreases enzyme activity, the food is still raw.

The benefits of a raw food diet are said to include: a stable body mass index, clear skin, more energy, and minimising a range of common illnesses, from the flu to obesity-related illnesses.

Anthropologist Peter Lucas of George Washington University in Washington, DC, US, was reported in New Scientist magazine in 2005 as having the theory that man being the only mammal with chronic poor dentition^, and the only mammal to significantly process and cook his food, are causally linked. He believes that the adoption of food processing and cooking reduced the size of our jaw through evolutionary processes, but not the size of our teeth.

A study by the University of Toronto and another published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute suggest that ingesting cooked or pasteurized dairy products may increase risk of colon cancer. The increased risk is due to the effect of heating casein, a phosphoprotein found in dairy products.

Although research that provides a correlation between the health of an animal and the diet's proximity to vegan and raw food is essentially what is needed in order to show evidence of its impact, a large portion of the revenue brought in by a nation like the U.S. is from dairy and meat products, so the funding for this type of research may not meet the interests of today's money makers.

Some raw foodists claim that ingesting enzymes aids digestion in the mouth, stomach, and intestines.^{[citation needed]} The claim about stomach digestion, however, goes against well established knowledge regarding the biochemistry of enzymes. Enzymes are very sensitive to pH and their activity will be nullified outside a specific pH range.^[22] The digestive enzymes produced by the stomach are active in the low pH (2-4) of the stomach, whereas enzymes found in most foods will be most active at cellular pH (approximately 7).^[23]

However, some dietary enzymes such as bromelain and a protected form of SOD have been shown to be absorbed through the intestines and into the bloodstream.^{[citation needed]} Also, enzymes found in acidic plant foods, including many fruits, are active at low pH similar to that of the human stomach

A 2005 study has shown that a raw food vegetarian diet is associated with a lower bone density.^[31] This may not be a problem however, as new research appears to indicate that high bone density early in life is associated with osteoporosis, regardless of genetic variation

One study of raw veganism shows amenorrhea and underweightness in women,^[34] another one increased risk of dental erosion.^[35]

Some advocates of raw foodism claim that amenorrhea may be a normal condition of fertile women, and that indeed menstruation as most women experience is neither natural nor healthy, but a consequence of intoxication due to unnatural cooked diets

been doin some research

Well, I am in the last month of about 99% raw-ness. I leave off that last 1% for accidentally eaten cooked foods (like bottled lemon juice and twice eaten soy milk). So far I still just feel more tired than normal. Unless a large change occurs sometime this week, I think I will probably incorporate some cooked foods into my diet. This is because much of my research outside of the raw food world (which is the nutrition world) counters the very basic principles of raw-foodism (that the plant enzymes help digestion.) However, the one thing I can definitely give to raw food is that it has helped my acne on my face soo much! I think I might have a food allergy to dairy. I ate a small amount of yogurt a few days after I started on raw foods and although my skin was already clearing up that yogurt caused a breakout. So, I am planning to stay vegan for sure. I read that acne can often be caused by food allergies, and people just don't realize it because their acne is the only sign of the allergy. Therefore, I think I will slowly incorporate a few basic cooked foods such as rice, soup, tofu, soy milk, etc. IF I don't start seeing more energy etc. that raw foodism is supposed to give me.

I am a bit disappointed in this. Perhaps raw foods are more suited to some people and not everyone. I am just tired of being so low on energy. I like the philosophy that everyone is different in our nutrient needs and no one diet can be perfect for everyone. I am glad that I venture into new diets and experience what they are like. I think through this experimentation, I am creating the perfect diet for me as a unique individual.

As far as raw diet is going, I made it through Thanksgiving very well. The hardest part was answering all of my families questions and concerns. The only thing I cheated on was eating soy milk with my gRAWnola for breakfast. Granted that I did strongly want some of my grandmas oreo ring pudding cake thing, my cravings for cooked food that isn't sitting right in front of me have diminished.

I feel good that if I do stop being completely raw it isn't because I wasn't able to stop the cravings or that it was too hard, but that I don't feel good while on it and I think it isn't the best diet for me. Still waiting for that fuzzy feeling in my head to go away that has been with me since the first week on raw foods. I think it's like I constantly feel as if my blood sugar is low (like when I haven't eaten in a long time), but I don't think that is it because I have been eating enough and well.

One thing is for sure though, I will always love my green smoothies!

Notes to self:

from vita-mix website

To preserve its nutrients, spinach must not be simmered for more than 2-3 minutes. Kale, on the other hand, needs to steam for 6-8 minutes for maximum nutrient availability.

The longer a food is exposed to heat, the greater its nutrient loss. Being submersed in hot water (boiling) creates more nutrient loss than steaming (surrounding with steam rather than water) if all other factors are equal.

When a food is not cooked, the body depends much more heavily upon chewing to help prepare the vegetable for digestion. Cooking a vegetable, even for a very short period like one minute, can be a way of enhancing its digestibility.

The enzymes needed for proper digestion is supplied by our body, not by the food eaten. Our body has the ability to analyze the food and secrete the precise proportion and amount of enzyme needed for that particular food. We have to rely on the body’s genius to get just the right amount, not too much and not too little. Enzymes in plants are put there for the plants needs, not ours, but some plant enzymes do have nutritive benefits, not functional benefits. To fear eating a steamed vegetable, or vegetable/bean soup is entirely unfounded and without scientific support.

In matters of dietary reform, we would do well to carefully avoid extreme positions. Health reform can be brought into disrepute by extreme views, and that narrow ideas can bring injury to the cause of health reform. Health reform may actually become health “deform” when it is carried to extremes.

From the American Dietetic Association:

The “Raw Food Diet”

Raw foods provide fiber, which is important to our overall health. But is it really better to eat only raw foods?

The premise of the raw food diet is to cook foods below 160 degrees Fahrenheit to keep food enzymes intact so that the body can better absorb nutrients in the food. The problem with this theory is that the body already makes the enzymes needed to digest and absorb foods.

The raw foods diet encourages you to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, which is a definite nutritional plus. But there are real food safety risks. The diet calls for eating a variety of sprouts, many of which grow in environments that can promote harmful bacterial growth. And cooking foods below 160 degrees Fahrenheit can lead to food-borne illness.

As with any diet, when evaluating the “raw foods” approach, ask questions. If you think “This sounds too good to be true,” it probably is.

Produced by ADA’s Public Relations Team

Turkey day worries

Things are getting better and better. Except I think I am going to go broke if I keep going to Native Sun twice a week. I need to go to the flea market on the weekends (even if it's not organic, at least it is semi-local) then supplement that produce with Native Sun stuff. But as far as cravings and stuff, much better. I don't get as hungry at night and if so, I can usually eat a small piece of raw fruit pate cake stuff and then go to bed. I figured out why I have been tired during this time, 2 reasons: 1) it was the week before my period so of course I was going to be tired, duh, and 2) I read the section of 12 Steps to Raw Foods about detox and have many of the symptoms Victoria describes (mouth sores, fever, weakness.) I am now glad that I experienced these symptoms because Victoria writes that if one doesn't then it means their body is too weak to try to heal itself and get all of the toxins out. So, although I was feeling bad I am glad I stayed on raw foods because now I know it was just part of detox.

I am glad I read up to the step about living harmoniously with cooked food eaters. Thanksgiving is coming up and I am apprehensive not about being tempted to eat cooked food, but about talking about eating raw foods to my family or explaining about it. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about explaining raw foods in a simple, quick no-argument way? I don't want to ruin Thanksgiving. Victoria's suggestion is to say, "I am glad you are concerned about me, but I feel fine and you can eat what's on your plate and I'll have mine." I think that is good. She also says not to pressure anyone in your family to go raw. Actually she says to just put that out there up front. When you tell them you're raw go ahead and say that you don't expect anything but support from them and that they can continue to enjoy their turkey and stuffing. I need to do some patching. I told my dad I thought he might like to read Green for Life. I don't want him to take it as pressure for him to go raw though. I guess I'll bring it and let him look at it, but if he doesn't seem interested, I'll just bring it home. I need to remember not to even ask them to try my food. But let them ask to try my food if they wish to.

So here's what it looks like is on the menu for my thanksgiving. I think it's going to be carrot pecan sunburger with candied yams and some kind of fruit pate. And of course salad veggies etc. I am just going to try to not get angry at my family if they give me a hard time for eating raw foods. Peace.

Cravings

I get the most cravings at night when I'm tired. It's definitely like an emotional craving rather than a tummy craving. It's thinking about a nice soft, warm rice dish or toast that gets me. I feel sad that I won't eat those foods again (at least in the near future). I just try to tell myself I'll be feeling much healthier soon from eating raw foods and pop a date in my mouth. (My current comfort food.) In my nutrition classes I've learned that one shouldn't use food as a reward or an emotional support. Yeah right, everyone does that. Even if it's something as innocent as a date. Maybe one shouldn't do that, but it's only natural I think.

I think I am going to a raw potluck tomorrow night. I am a little apprehensive because it looks like I am going alone and won't know anyone there. I will just have to put my best raw foot forward and hope that they like whatever dish I bring. I think I might try the coconut macaroons that I made for my raw potluck not too long ago. They were delicious. Wish me luck!

Veterans' Day

Oofh. Man, I was so good all day until my after-nap cravings just a minute ago. I’m writing just to remind myself never to do this again. Background info: I always get huge cravings for sweets and/or fats after I wake up from a nap. So I had the idea of eating a few dates to satisfy my sweet tooth. Innocent enough, right. I remembered Ian and Jenn’s pecan butter covered dates with a raspberry on top from the potluck. I thought I could substitute with some ingredients I have on hand: peanut butter (not raw, left over from before raw week) and coconut shreds. Should have known better than to trust myself opening the peanut butter jar during a craving. I ate right out of the jar. A lot. Now my stomach hurts. A lot. I can’t find the coconut shreds and I don’t even want to eat my peanut butter covered dates any more. Blah. Note to self: GIVE AWAY PEANUT BUTTER! IT IS DANGEROUS!

Other than that mishap, it was a good day. A relaxing Veterans-no school-no work day. I began the day with a spinach and banana green smoothie as I finished reading Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko. I loved green smoothies since the first time I had one. I think I first read about them on the internet. I’m going to make them more often now that I know how good they are for me. I always stuck to the old spinach and banana. It is so good though! I make everyone taste it. I got some good recipes from the book to try though. Hopefully they will measure up to spinach and banana. They had a section called “savory smoothies” which I am a bit leery of. They have things like avocado and tomatoes in them. Scary. Then I made enough raw hummus to last me all week. It was from Ian’s recipe in the V.E.G.A.N.S. cookbook. I hadn’t ever made hummus from zucchini before and I was pleasantly surprised. I dipped my veggies in it and had some cantaloupe with it for lunch. I think I am getting to the point where I don’t need a ton of food to last me throughout the day because I couldn’t even finish that small lunch. And, god those heavy spoonfuls of peanut butter really did me in. I think I’m going to go for a bike ride to try to lighten up my tummy. Bye!

Raw Winter?

Well, it has been a long time since I have written and likewise, a long time since I have tried to eat a lot of raw foods. Until last week. Daisy and I decided to do a raw week. It is going pretty well. I realized that cold turkey is the only way to go because before I would always just forget that I was supposed to be eating raw, and revert back to my regular diet. I am armed now with much more knowledge and support than I was over the summer. I know a lot more raw recipes too. So, I am telling myself that it's for a month, but trying to trick myself into just being a raw food eater. Maybe the time frame will help me to measure my progress. Makes sense to me. To my observations!

Avocados still make me gag. Day two or three I made guacamole and I was nauseated all day. But things are better now, except I think I have an ear infection. Is this part of the cleansing process? I haven't had an ear infection since I was like 4. I'm not sure that's what it is though.

I had a raw potluck last Friday night. It was such a success! Lots of good raw food and friends from all over the place. I got to talk to Ian and Jenn who are so knowledgeable about everything raw foods.

One would expect that trying to convert to raw foods over the holiday season would be difficult. I know it will be but I am sort of looking forward to being raw during this time to avoid eating all of that unhealthy holiday food. Besides, it's not like I can't have a taste of this and that. Another reason I am excited is because I will be around my family who I am always trying to get to be vegetarian. Maybe making them delicious raw dishes will help? I hope so. I think I could get my dad to read Green for Life or Raw Family (he read Raw Power, which I think probably isn't as interesting.) He has had a chronic throat irritation for the past about 5 or 6 years that the doctors keep calling reflux. But he doesn't have heartburn often at all. If raw food is really all it's cracked up to be, I'm sure it could heal him.

I went out to eat with the raw food gurus Saturday night. It was definitely some good encouragement. I learned that while Ezekiel bread is sprouted, it is not raw. I think I'll keep it around for a while anyways until I get good at preparing raw meals. I learned that I need to read Jerry Mander. I also realized something about raw eating from my body. I always thought that I didn't get full after eating a raw meal, or if I did it didn't last long. I read that because raw food is alive, it doesn't put you to sleep like cooked food. I think over the years I have learned to associate fullness with a sense of finality and drowsiness. When I think about how I feel after a raw meal, it's not that I still feel hungry but that I don't feel tired. Yeah, I'm full, but I'm ready to go!

i aint no goddamn son of a bitch

Today was good. I started off the day raw. I made a green smoothie with spinach, 1 banana, and some strawberries. I also finished off the last of the cran-grape juice and white grape juice of which there was only about a cup in all. It really sweetened up the smoothie. I put a fruit popcicle in a smoothie the other day because I was low on fruit; it was good. The other raw foods I had today were salad (Romaine lettuce and red onion with some nutritional yeast and wheat germ sprinkled on top, balsamic vinegar dressing), green grapes, and the veggies Chris brought me in a Subway sandwich. I also ate a veggie dog. And I spooned some peanut butter out of the jar, mmm. Overall, this was a good day for me. Bad side, Daisy my roommate gave me some clothes. They were well needed tanks for summer. In fall I'll get rid of some (exuses, excuses). Another good point of the day was that my friend, Jen, let me borrow THREE raw food books! I already started one called Rawsome! and it is so interesting. I think I still have a lot to learn. Also my 100% raw friend Ian told me that this summer there will be a few gatherings for raw food education/potlucks. I am so excited about these.

Note: I am going to start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier. I love the morning time. Fresh and succulent! Tonight I manage to get to bed by 11. This is a good start I think!

Raw Summer

May 6, 2007 2:56am

A minute ago I was brushing my teeth after helping move my boyfriend from one dorm room to another. As always, it was a lot of work, and he expressed the same thoughts as many college kids do these days (as is evident by the amount of usable items one can find in the trash on moving day). He said, “Tonight I realized how much shit I actually have.”

I came to the same conclusion when it came time to move my stuff from my dorm room into my first apartment. I had been moving in slowly for a few weeks already and invited my parents up to help me finish things up and to see my new place. I thought I just had a few things left over to move, but it ended up being, you know, a whole lot of shit. Shit I didn’t realize I even had. Shit I didn’t really need. But once I saw it, shit I new I couldn’t part with. So as I am brushing my teeth I make a connection. This summer is going to be an experiment in minimalism.

I am in a new home; I have just finished a year of school that marks my halfway point through college. I feel I have grown so much in the past two years. I feel like I have been a sponge absorbing information: from reading, from watching people, from talking to people, from library videos. Now, I feel like I have absorbed enough information so that I am ready for some big changes in my life. I don’t want to be materialistic in the least. I already buy all of my clothes at thrift stores or come across them for free; I am not a mall go-er. I tried to work in a mall store recently and could barely stand it for two weeks before abruptly quitting.

But this morning I woke up, looked around my bedroom and felt cramped in all of my stuff – and guilty for it. This summer things are going to change, but junk and stuff isn’t the only part. I am going to change my surroundings, but I am also going to change my body. It too is going to go through a minimalist summer (and beyond). I am going to try my best to eat raw foods only. I am going to record daily as best I can a food and activity log. I am going to be riding my bike about 3 miles to school and work (school library) every day and shopping at the nearby flea market for locally grown produce for my meals. I will record how I feel each day and note changes in my moods, feelings, digestion, sleep, energy levels, and physical appearance. I will also record any interesting outside influences I encounter during this summer. Tonight I finish with the lyrics to The Broadways song “25 Degrees North":

"My friend gave everything he owns away
and my friend says he's happier that way.
He says, 'Did you ever notice the more you own,
the more worries you have?'
I thought about my rent check and my bank account
and couldn't help but understand.
He told me that he's going back to Santa Cruz to live on a boat
without a phone or a thing in his hands,
and I'm staying in Chicago to work and go to school
and fuck off with my shitty fucking band.
And he said, "Brendan you should try it. It makes you feel so good.
Brendan you should try it, it makes you feel so good."
So I threw away a stereo and some clothes to show I understood.
Down on the gold coast the people look so happy.
Money gets you laid, I saw it on tv.
A brand new car, vcr, a satellite dish,
and a 6 pack are just a few parts of this American dream.
Well my friend had a dream to be free.
He made it come true by giving away his tv.
Yeah my friend had a dream to be free.
He made it come true with a backpack and his feet.
When I walk along the city streets no one smiles or talks to me.
I've seen possessions that run people's lives.
Everything we own makes us afraid to be friends,
sharing used to be natural, it'll never be that way again.
My friend relearned to be a human being,
how to stop and talk to people on the streets.
He gave everything he owns away,
and lives his dream with a backpack and his feet."

When I look around my room now, I think of how hard this is going to be. Mostly because of the things I have that have sentimental value or things I can see myself using in the future… just not right now, or things that are just pretty to look at. But I have noticed that some things I have give me a bad feeling when I see them. It’s a sort of guilty feeling. It’s very subtle, and I only realize it when I think about it. And it does feel good to put it in the give-away pile. For now I just tell myself everything will find a home somewhere: just not with me. I want to be free. More tomorrow.

Peas Please

So, it has been a while since I wrote. Like I wrote to my feminist friend Alex on a postcard, I’ve been busy doing a whole lot of nothing. As far as relevance to Raw Summer I would like to point out that I had two good choices recently: 1. I went to the store the other day and did not buy cereal or bread, two of my most commonly eaten cooked foods, and 2. I made a delicious, big, raw salad for lunch today with red romaine lettuce, cucumbers, onions, and nutritional yeast with my roommate's ginger salad dressing. It was great. Except I think I put too much nutritional yeast on, it was cheesy tasting.

I also transplanted some of the pea plants (which are growing swimmingly by the way) because Chris planted them too close together. So now we have three rows of cute green little pea plants with their little curly spindly vines starting to feel out into the world. I then finished reading a zine which is really a copy of a chapter of the book Cunt by Igna Musico. It’s about being proud as a woman and the history of the word "cunt"; which my spell check isn’t even recognizing right now. I got the idea of collecting my period blood in a jar, mixing it with a little water and feeding it to my plants. Supposedly plants love it.

Salad!

Yesterday I made a great salad with red romaine lettuce, red onion, avocado, cucumber, and sprinkled some nutritional yeast onto it. I felt really good about such a nutrition and raw dinner. Chris sauteed some peppers and onions with brown rice to go with the meal. It was a great dinner. I think I hate avocados though. They make me nauseous. Today I had to throw away the extra avocado because it made me feel like puking every time I saw it or thought about it. Today I sliced some cucumber for lunch along with 2 veggie chicken nuggets and a P.B.J. The problem I have with raw food is that I need to learn how to make meals with it besides salad and just pieces of fruit or veggies. I need to mix it up and make it seem like more than just a snack. Research is required.

Day 1

Today isn’t going so well for my first day of raw summer. First of all, I realized I can’t do this cold tofurkey. I have a lot of food in the house that is canned or cereal and stuff that I don’t want to waste. So I figured it might be better for my body anyway if I gradually go more and more into raw only. So, this morning I had a banana and 2 packets of Nutrition for Women instant oatmeal. Then I went and helped Chris move the rest of his stuff that we couldn’t finish moving last night. He saw what I was writing last night and decided to do raw summer with me. At least the getting-rid-of-stuff part. I don’t think he knows about the food cleansing part. He said a few times today again how he needs to get rid of all of his stuff. He said he wants to only have enough stuff to live out of his backpack. I found that funny because just a few days ago I wanted to go through his massive selection of T-shirts and get rid of a few and he refused me. He later said that he just didn’t want to take the time to go through the stuff.

I found a priceless quotation by Carol J. Adams in her book Neither Man Nor Beast about the stuff you just have to do: “The moment when I realized that maintenance must be valued as productive was while I was cooking vegetarian food; thus I was doing what we generally consider to be maintenance. The problem is to escape from maintenance to produce these or any ‘productive’ thoughts. Seeing maintenance as productive is the other side of recognizing the ethical importance of the consequences of our actions.” I often think of her words when I am doing chores or errands or things I don’t want to do or I feel don’t make a difference, but must be done anyway. Another thing I kind of feel bad for doing on the first day of raw summer is getting a couch. I do give myself some credit however since it was free and would have gone to the landfill if I hadn’t saved it. It was by the dumpsters in the dorm parking lot. It is a small couch and very comfy which makes me feel better too. I also decided that since I got it, I am going to give my folding chair to my mom for her classroom. I feel that is a good trade. Today I am going to take all of the clothes and things that I sorted out during move-in to the thrift store as well as a couch Chris decided to part with (and also didn’t have room for).

I also decided to make a few rules for my minimalism. I think books should be excluded. Not all books of course. I have a pile to trade on a paperback book swap website. I think books supply knowledge that can help me in this endeavor as well as through life. I will, however, get rid of books that I’ll never use or which are not good references. I think a good way for me to get rid of things with sentimental value might be to give them as gifts to people I know will appreciate them.

For lunch I had some left over Japanese food: rice noodles with steamed veggies. Not raw, but vegetables nonetheless. I really need to go to the store and get some fruit. I start school tomorrow already, unfortunately. I guess that is the price of graduating in four years these days. At least it will be new classes. I am taking anatomy and physiology one and two at the same time this summer as well as microeconomics. I digress.

For dinner I had some dark vegan chocolate (2 pieces) and the rest of my Japanese and more oatmeal (2 packets. I am trying to use it up.) I just ordered two books off of paperback swap. One is called Communion: The Female Search for Love by bell hooks. I like this part of the description: “as feminists of hooks' generation reach midlife, they may find it easier to rethink these terms of engagement, to risk changing things. The first step, she says, is self-love accepting one's body and soul just the way it is. Without such acceptance, women cannot escape the domination-submission dynamic. Even then, in this patriarchal universe finding love with another person may require some creativity. Hooks explores romantic friendships, lesbian loves and "circles of love" (which allow for committed bonds that extend beyond one partnership). A life with no coupling, but "a more authentic relationship between self and world," may also be satisfying. Twenty-something women who've embraced the highly problematic "bitch persona" Elizabeth Wurtzel has written of may sneer at hooks's affirming style, but older women, particularly those raising girls themselves, will find much to ponder here." Although I am only 20 I feel like I am not of the “bitch persona” and I enjoy reading about older women, not the typical chick flick novels. Older women are so much more interesting and deep and comfy. Like SARK.

The other book I ordered I have been meaning to read for a while. I have had it checked out from the library but now I will own it. The Sexual Politics of Meat: A Feminist-Vegetarian Critical Theory by Carol J. Adams. I read her other book Neither Man Nor Beast and it was very good and informative. I liked how she wouldn’t use the term “meat” because it was a “mass term” meaning that it ignored the individuality of the animals and didn’t recognize the amount or source of the “meat.” So instead she would say "dead flesh" or call it the "corpse production industry". It was full of sarcasm and wit. She used it at every opportunity so one could tell that she was stubborn and strong-willed. Reading time and then bed.