Green Vibrance

Green Vibrance

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Could You Go Raw?

Have you heard of the raw foods dietary approach? It’s a growing movement, led by many well known figures. Famous raw food enthusiasts include Donna Karen, Demi Moore, Cher, Woody Harrelson, Daryl Hannah, Susan Sarandon and Alicia Silverstone, among others. Celebs are notable in that they typically have access to the best food possible, as well as the most leading-edge health information. Given all that, these folks choose to emphasize a vibrantly nourishing, raw plant-based diet.

So, what compels one to pursue the raw foods experience? Well, some people may like the idea of a short term mini-detox or cleanse emphasizing fresh, raw foods, nut/seed milks and juices, and begin to feel so energized by the experience that they choose to continue. Others may already follow a plant-based diet of cooked foods, and decide that they want to optimize their vitality with a larger quantity of fresh, live foods offering higher levels of easily-assimilated nutrients and live enzymes.Yet other people may have serious health issues, and seek out the healthiest possible diet in an effort to salvage their wellness naturally. One retreat that has long catered to these needs is the renowned Hippocrates Institute in Florida: http://hippocratesinst.org/

A raw plant based diet includes fresh fruits and vegetables, sprouted nuts and seeds, raw nut and seed butters and milks, fermented foods, and a huge array of entrées and side dishes ingeniously crafted from these basic, highly versatile components. A food dehydrator is often used in the preparation of raw gourmet foods as it helps to approximate baked foods like chips and crackers without heating ingredients above 118 degrees, which is thought to protect vital nutrients and enzymes, and also to keep beautiful natural flavors intact.

Research suggests that cooking causes a significant decrease in the nutritional profile of most foods, with a few exceptions. Heating food beyond 118 degrees may denature important enzymes and decrease the potency of certain naturally occurring vitamins and minerals. It has been suggested that eating primarily cooked food (especially acid-producing, inflammatory animal products) can take a toll on your body’s enzyme reserves, whereas easy-digesting raw food is highly alkaline and rich in live, active enzymes, which may reserve your metabolic enzymes for detoxification, tissue growth/repair, assimilation of nutrients, cell production, growth, and rejuvenation.

It can be argued that a major key to optimal health is deriving the maximum level of nutrients possible from the foods you eat. Fresh, raw plant foods, bursting with nutrients, phytochemicals, fiber, enzymes and healthy fluids, possess undeniably cleansing and nourishing properties. And dehydrated foods offer great satiety while still delivering majestically on the nutrition front.

Despite the benefits, it's best to take a gradual approach to this way of eating, especially if you have been consuming the standard American Diet (SAD), heavy in animal protein and refined/processed foods, or even a vegetarian or vegan diet based in cooked and refined foods. This will help minimize the mild detox symptoms ranging from mild headaches to increased (cleansing) bowel movements some people experience. However, this is all part of a healthy transition. Perseverance is the key!

What if you go part raw? That’s cool too! Just bear in mind, when you do opt for cooked food, it’s wise to supplement digestive enzymes. How about this? Start with 30% raw, knowing that to obtain impressive results that you’ll feel on many levels, at least 70% raw is an ideal goal. No matter how you proceed, it’s your journey, so why not seek a beautifully healthy, radiant and energized destination?

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Kiki's Date Cream

The delicious and versatile date, often referred to as nature’s candy, is a staple for many plant-based treats. So you can imagine how much application a healthy liquid sweetener made from them could have. Date cream adds a subtle sweetness to everything from fruit salad to plant-based ice cream to biscuits. Adding the optional liquid stevia intensifies the sweet flavor. Use Medjool dates if possible here, as they are especially fleshy.

Ingredients:

2 cups pitted Medjool dates, soaked

½ tsp. Pink Himalayan rock salt

½ tsp. liquid stevia, or to taste

Soaking water for blending

Directions:

Cover pitted dates with distilled water in a glass bowl and soak overnight. In a high speed blender, puree dates with the salt, stevia if using, and enough soaking water to attain a dense cream, noting that it thickens as it chills. Keep up to a week in the fridge and use in place of maple syrup or agave nectar. Enjoy in good health!