Testimonials

 by Alex Ortner
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As you have no doubt heard by now Paula Deen, ‘The Butter Queen’, the belle of southern cooking, has Type 2 diabetes.  And most likely, you will not be at all surprised given the type of food Paula favors (especially if you have even a basic understanding of the raw food lifestyle).

Paula actually believes the type of food she promotes is ok to eat on a regular basis!  She says ‘practice moderation’.  The thing I find funny about this term “moderation” is that NOBODY ever defines it.  If you have diabetes or envision a long, healthy, disease free life for yourself and your family where does that moderation line get drawn?

My guess is that her followers are likely to understand that to be three or four times a week.  If you’ve actually seen any of her recipes…you probably already know that eating her food regularly is asking for diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases.

The Big Controversy

But the big controversy about her coming out and saying that she has diabetes is the timing of it.  She found out she had diabetes 3 years ago!

As a professional cook and TV expert who was teaching people how to prepare their meals she had an ethical and moral responsibility to take care of her followers, be honest with them, and tell them that she had diabetes.

Someone with a following the size of hers (Facebook over 1.5 million and nearly 700,000 on Twitter plus the reach of her TV shows and books.) could have helped countless people over 3 years.  Who knows how many people out there have health issues because they followed her recipes.

Paula’s Greed

Paula, of course, hid this information because of the effect that it could have on her business.  It wasn’t until after she had become a paid spokesperson for the diabetes drug she uses that she finally decided to come out about it.

I was watching videos about her all over TV and the web yesterday and the biggest thing that I’ve gotten a kick out of has been her response to allegations that she has come out with it because she’s getting paid as a spokesperson….

She keeps responding with “I have to work just like you do” to whoever asks the question.  She makes it seem like she wouldn’t be able to pay the bills if she wasn’t getting the money from the drug company…ridiculous!

While I’m all for making as much money as you desire by providing value to other people, and celebrity endorsements are a legitimate way to make money while promoting a product you believe in, Paula Deen’s handling of her situation has been, to put it mildly, unscrupulous.

She reportedly has earned over $30 million dollars in her career, and $4.5 million last year alone!  This is a person who could have easily taken the high morale ground or at least stayed impartial. She obviously had not the slightest concern for the health and wellbeing of her numerous followers, and just went for the money, regardless of the consequences to others.

Anthony Bourdain, American chef, author and television personality (who I’ve always enjoyed watching on tv), is not a fan of Deen’s cooking. He once told TV Guide she was “the worst, most dangerous person in America.” This week in response to her news, he tweeted “Thinking of getting into the leg-breaking business, so I can profitably sell crutches later.” Very funny!

Continuing on about why she’s taken so long to come out about her diabetes… Paula has said that she took three years “to figure things out in her own head,” also saying that she didn’t come out about it sooner because “I had nothing to give.”  Most people with a diagnosis like this would maybe take 3 weeks to figure it out, not three years.

What she meant to say was that she didn’t have anything to give that would make her money.  I could have told her what to give 3 years ago…give moral support to those out there who are suffering with diabetes, give healthy recipes to help people get better, give money to school systems that need it to build healthier lunch programs.  Wow…that took me all of 20 seconds to think of things to give.  She couldn’t figure something out in 3 years! 

Paula’s “Puzzled” About Diabetes…

When asked if her high-fat recipes can lead to diabetes, she said, “That is part of the puzzle.” As we clearly know from the work we do here at rawfor30days.com, it’s simple, and not at all puzzling.  If she just watched the ‘Simply Raw’ film and followed the raw food diet explained in Dr. Gabriel Cousen’s book “There is a Cure for Diabetes” she would reversed her Type 2 diabetes easily.

Paula has also launched a new website called “Diabetes in a New Light”.  On the site she makes it seem like she wants to teach you healthier recipes but when you go to sign up it asks you “May we have your permission to call you and review the benefits of Novo Nordisk free patient support programs?”  Novo Nordisk is the drug company she’s being paid by!  The entire site is just a scam to get the contact information from diabetics so that they can get them to use diabetes drugs, rather than trying to manage or reverse their diabetes through nutrition.

Paula has also come out saying she has pledged a portion of her earnings to the American Diabetes Association (although the ADA are not aware of this) but she doesn’t at any time say what percentage or how much that is.

When our company donates money to charities we make it very clear exactly how much we’re donating.  We’ve donated as much as 20% of our income from sales promotions to charities.  For all we know she could be donating less than 1%!

Paula Deen is another example of people in power selling out to the drug companies.  The biggest sell outs we have all sit in Washington D.C., where they pass laws and legislation that allows drug companies to earn massive profits while putting the health of Americans at risk.

Now I’m not against drugs.  The truth is they absolutely have an important role in our healthcare system.  There are drugs that save the lives of countless Americans every day.  However, in my estimation, drugs cost more lives than they save because of their over use.  We could most likely wipe out 95% of all drug use if people were to change their eating habits and if doctors actually gave their patients good information (but for the most part they don’t know it themselves in the first place).

Currently struggling to be seen as credible corporate citizens, the pharmaceutical industry is approaching many celebrities for endorsement and lining their pockets in return. The popularity of celebrities allows Big Pharma to divert public attention to their charitable efforts rather than the effects their products are having on the public.

Other Sell Out Celebrities

Elliot Yamin, a singer who finished 3rd in one of the American Idol contests, is sponsored by Eli Lilly, the 10th largest pharmaceutical company in the world.

Brooke Shields endorses Latisse, an eyelash-growing drug that has risks of cornea infections.

Barry Manilow endorses the very controversial drug Multaq used for heart arrhythmia.  And the list goes on…

Many of these celebrities who support Big Pharma simply are not questioning  the messages they are promoting.

Remember the “Stand Up To Cancer” telethon? Many top names in Hollywood, from Denzel Washington and George Clooney to Cindy Crawford and Katie Couric focused on raising more money for the failing cancer industry, but who stood up and talked about anti cancer nutrients like Vitamin D and selenium that can cut cancer rates by over 70%? All this is to raise money for industry that has been on the ’brink of a breakthrough’ for over 40 years!

Celebrities Managing Diabetes with Diet

To be fair there are some celebrities who have taken a positive stance but unfortunately we don’t hear about them as often…

Mike Huckabee , former Arkansas governor, had Type 2 diabetes and upgraded his diet, started running, shed 110lbs, moved his BMI from obese to normal and reversed type 2 diabetes. He wrote a book about his transformation and promotes healthy living starting in childhood, “Quit Digging Your Grave With A Knife and Fork.” This 12-stop program is a no-nonsense approach to managing one’s health through lifestyle change rather than a simple diet and exercise plan.

Halle Berry has ‘weaned herself off insulin’ by diet and exercise but the medical profession was in uproar over it, claiming she was ‘confused or misdiagnosed’!  Cured? Impossible they said! (See the short clip with Halle that I found on youtube below)

Randy Jackson, American Idol judge, has had Type 2 since 2001 when he was obese.  Diabetes ran in his family and he is African American, a group more likely to develop diabetes.  He has had gastric bypass surgery (which I’m not a fan of), lost 100lbs, made exercise a staple of his life – walking, treadmill and yoga. He’s even vegan!

Overall though, the drug industry has huge power over our society at all levels.  They have a grip on it that is literally killing people and bankrupting our economy.

And unfortunately Paula Deen is just the most recent person to be bought out by the drug industry.

Luckily though there are people and companies standing up to improve the health of Americans, mostly through the web (which is why the web censoring bill in congress that everyone has been talking about could be catastrophic).

But when it comes to Paula Deen…she is “puzzled” over diabetes.  I think that all you have to do is take a look at one of Paula’s most popular dishes to the right and you’ll see what’s causing such rampant diabetes in America.  Paula clearly hasn’t seen the light yet.  In the meantime…I’m going to go make myself a green salad. 

To your health,

Alex Ortner

 by Alex Ortner
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Vitamin B12 is one of 8 B complex vitamins.  It is found in animal products such as meat, eggs, milk and fish. Obviously a problem if you are vegetarian or vegan!

B12 is involved in the metabolism of every cell in the body and deficiencies are a bit of a hidden epidemic in society.

Deficiencies are associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers, depression, bipolar disease.

If you take drugs for diabetes, stomach acid, ulcers, blood pressure, birth control or cholesterol you are likely to be deficient too.

Many vegans and vegetarians opt to use blue-green algae to increase their B12 levels but these cannot be used effectively by the body. The best source of vitamin B12 in nature is spirulina.  The only problem with using spirulina for your B-12 is that it is hard to assimilate enough B12 from this (although I still recommend taking Spiriluna).

B12 is a large molecule compared to other vitamins and needs an enzyme called intrinsic factor to metabolize in your body. As you age you lose the ability to secret hydrochloric acid that helps to release Vitamin B12 from your food. To further exacerbate the problem it is hard to absorb through the stomach so even if you are eating foods or taking supplements that are rich in Vitamin B12 it is unlikely that you are getting enough. You would only absorb around 1% at best from a capsule supplement dose.

This is a vitamin that is known to supply us with energy but it is also good for the formation of your red blood cells and the support of your immune system. It also helps your body produce melatonin that helps you sleep so if you have difficulty sleeping you may benefit from more B12.

Other deficiency symptoms according to Dr. Gabriel Cousens, include ‘diarrhea, fever, infertility, sore tongue, enlargement of the mucous membranes of the mouth, vagina and stomach, macrocytic anemia and low white blood cells and platelet count.’ It may also be a factor in babies who show ‘failure to thrive’.  Lack of B12 can lead to children being neurologically impaired because they need B12 for the development of their neurological and hematological systems.  There are three reported cases of children dying of B12 deficiency so it’s pretty important.

Studies show that about 80% of vegans or live fooders become B12 deficient and 39% of meat-eaters are B12 deficient.  If you suspect you are deficient then get tested.  The gold standard test is a methylmalonic acid test. Standard tests may show you false results.

If you are looking for ways to increase your energy, improve your sleep, you suspect you have a deficiency or you follow a raw food or vegetarian diet it may be beneficial for you to take a B12 spray supplement.  The most effective delivery system is through microscopic droplets of B12 that come in a fine mist that gets sprayed into the mouth.

Personally both I and all of my family members take a B-12 spray called “B-12 Energy Booster” by Dr. Mercola (shown in the picture to the right).  You can learn more about it by clicking here.  There are a number of B-12 sprays available but I take this one because it seems to have a reasonable price and because I trust Dr. Mercola as the source.

To your health,

Alex Ortner

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_B12_deficiency
http://www.naturalnews.com/033596_vitamin_B12_nutrients.html
http://www.drmercola.biz/vitamin-b12/how-to-get-optimal-levels-of-vitamin-b12/

 by Alex Ortner
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When it comes to eating out or eating with friends, living the raw food lifestyle can be challenging.  You plan and prepare your healthy meals every day and then all of the sudden… there is a social event on your calendar.  You know that there will be unhealthy food at the event…so what do you do?!

It is possible to enjoy food when you go socialize, it just takes a bit of planning and some willpower. And lets face it…the main idea behind going out is meeting and interacting with friends, not the food itself, right?!

And your “special” diet isn’t as unusual as you may think.  Many people these days have allergies and special diets so you will not be that different!

How difficult it becomes for you will depend on how high a percentage of raw food you have in your diet.  If you’re a 100% raw foodist, you’ll likely have a much tougher time than somebody who is doing 50% to 80% raw.

Here are 10 tips for stress free socializing on a raw food diet…..

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Tip #1 –If you’re doing the 100% raw food diet (whether it’s a permanent eating habit or you’re just doing a cleanse) it would be advisable to notify your host in advance. Most hosts are more than willing to accommodate and make sure to have food that you can enjoy.

Perhaps offer to bring something to add to the meal or ask if they could make sure there is plenty of salad or raw veggies for you. And worst case, just ask if you can bring your own food because you’d like to make it easier for them.

If you are not 100% raw but rather something in the 50% to 90% range then life is a lot easier. Simply eat raw during the day and leave your ‘allocation’ of cooked food for the event.

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Tip #2 – Eat before you go out so that you are not starving when you get there and tempted to eat something you may regret later.  Making healthy decisions is much easier on a full stomach.  You’ll find that this alone can help with 90% of the battle.

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Tip #3 – Offer to bring a dessert you have made.  Everyone in my experience, enjoys raw desserts, and people do not even consider whether the dish is raw or cooked. It can spark of conversations about healthy eating too!  And generally speaking…all of the raw desserts I have ever brought to a party have been the favorite desserts of the night!

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Tip #4 – Decide before you go out what you will eat and what you won’t. For example, decide not to eat dessert, or decide not to combine protein and carbohydrates.

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Tip #5 – If you are choosing to eat fish or meat as part of your cooked percentage then remember to ask if it is grass fed beef or wild fish.  If it’s not…I highly recommend avoiding it altogether.  Here’s an example of a non-confrontational way to ask…

You: “That beef looks delicious.  Where did you get it?”
Them: “I bought it at Big Y, the grocery store just down the street”
You: “It looks great.  Is it a special kind of beef like wild fed or organic?”
Them: “I don’t know.  I think it’s a regular piece.”
You: “Ok, thanks.”

When you approach the questions with compliments in them you’re able to ask without seeming like you’re insulting them or their food.  Once you have the answers you want you can choose to eat it or not to eat it.  And remember that any question comes across much better with a smile on your face.  ☺

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Tip #6 – Another important thing to ask is what they cooked the food in.  Again here you can use the approach of being curious simply because it looks good.  When you compliment them they’ll be excited to tell you all about it.  Try to avoid foods that are cooked with dairy products.  ☺

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Tip #7 – Ask if the party will have a sit down meal or just a buffet.  Parties can be a lot easier with the buffet style of eating as it allows you to pick and choose rather than be faced with a meal in front of you that you feel you should eat out of politeness.  If it’s going to be sit down, make sure to communicate your eating habits beforehand with the host.

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Tip #8 – If you’re cleansing or eating a very strict raw diet then you’ll want to avoid alcohol, which  can be a stumbling block.  If you are driving then you have a cast iron excuse not to drink.

One idea is to take something with you like a carafe of a non-alcoholic cocktail you have made yourself which is always a welcome gift.  Try freshly squeezed lemon, with puree of raspberries, a few drops of stevia or other plant based sweetener such as coconut palm sugar or agave topped up with sparkling water.  Add some mint leaves and put in a large glass jug and it looks amazing!

If there are cocktails just serve yourself some bubbly water in a cocktail glass with a  lemon or lime and nobody will know the difference (I’ve used that trick LOTS of times!).  ☺

Or stick to plain water and add some lemon to make it more alkaline.

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Tip #9 – Remember to monitor how you’re feeling.  Stress plays a big role in our health.  If you’re having a lot of trouble with the food then you’re not likely to have fun or be fun to be around.  If you’re stressing about the food, go to the bathroom and try something like EFT (tapping)  to get your cravings under control, then rejoin the party.

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Tip #10 – Bring a friend.  See if there’s a friend who eats like you do who can go with you.  Its easier to eat well when you have a peer who’s helping  you and making you feel like you’re doing the right thing.  It’s easier to succumb to bad eating when you’re the only one that knows it’s not good for you.  ☺

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If you have comments or questions on the above or tips you’d like to share with others that you’ve used for staying healthy while socializing please share them below.  And if you enjoyed the article please hit the Facebook “Like” button to the right.  ☺

To your health,

Alex Ortner

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 by Alex Ortner
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When you hear about “greens,” you probably think of things on a farm – kale, broccoli, peas, etc. They are the most common to find in stores and are the most visible. Well today I’d like to share with you and in-depth look at one of the best greens for you, which isn’t found on standing farms: kelp.

What is kelp?

Kelp is a large seaweed. There are about thirty different kinds of it. Kelp is very nutritional, and is technically classified as an algae. It grows in shallow oceans, creating underwater forests. Some kinds of kelp grow as fast as half a meter a day, and can reach as long as 30 to 80 meters (that’s about 260 feet). As you can see on this picture, it gets huge!

Kelp is used today all over the world. In Japan, Kombu (a species of kelp) is commonly used for flavoring broths and stews. It’s used as a vegetable, garnish, and primary ingredient for many snacks. In the U.S. and europe kelp is served in many seafood restaurants, and in larger Asia it is used for it’s many health benefits. I know people from every health community that enjoy kelp.

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How YOU can use it, and what it can do for you…

First of all, if you don’t know already, kelp is very tasty. It has a salty flavor which is a nice addition if you’re eating raw. I find kelp flakes taste great as a seasoning and love them on my salads. The seaweed has a lot of minerals, vitamins, trace elements, and amino acids.

Minerals such as iodine are vital in keeping your thyroid working. That controls your metabolism, energy, and growth in your body. The iodine also acts as an antibody to kill germs and infections. It keeps you strong. As kelp increases your metabolism it also balances your blood lipid concentrations. That’s especially good news if you’re overweight.

Kelp can aid you if you have osteoporosis, and has great anti-aging effects as you get older. If you’re looking to keep your appearance up, it helps nail growth and prevents hair loss.

Studies have been done that suggest kelp stems may have anticancer affects, preventing tumors from growing.

If you’re a woman, especially if you’re pregnant, kelp can serve as a great supplement for normalizing your glands and hormones. The iron, potassium and calcium makes it good for you if you’re a woman at any age.

The bottom line is that kelp is an amazing green, and it tastes great too! If you’ve never tried kelp before, make sure to try it when you get the chance. If you’ve already tried it, then keep it up!

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Where you can get it…

You can purchase kelp in most local health foods stores.  If you’d like to get a greater variety of products with kelp  and possible get it at cheaper prices I would look online.  The place where I personally buy kelp is at the Raw Food World Store.

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We are exposed to more toxins today than people use to experience in an entire lifetime. Chemicals, pollution, processed foods, and high levels of stress build up in the body over time. The digestive system and colon are dangerously affected by toxic overload which hinders all of our organs and glands and weakens the immune system. This is the reason that cleansing the body on a regular basis is so important.

A few of the signs your body is in desperate need of internal cleaning and detoxification include disease, fatigue, headaches, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, menstrual problems, skin problems, insomnia and irritable bowel syndrome.

Problems like asthma, food allergies, depression, excess weight, bad breath and general aches and pains are a sign that the colon is toxic. When the colon is impacted and backed up it affects every organ in the body. This is why colon cleansing is so necessary to good health.

Serious health issues like cancer, diabetes and heart disease are manifested in part because of a toxic, dirty impacted colon, blood and lymphatic system. Years of eating animal and dairy products and food made with flour and water have created a layer of mucoid plaque which is so thick that it forms a barrier which inhibits your body from assimilating good nutrition. When you mix flour and water together you create glue. When you eat glue it sticks to the intestines and colon. Over time it becomes hard as a rock and even takes on the shape of the colon. Pasta, cake, cookies and bread are just a few of the foods which create this hardened mucoid plaque on the colon walls.

Meat rots and putrefies in the intestines creating uric acid, gas, bloating and becoming a breeding ground for worms and parasites. Dairy products make massive amounts of mucous and this clogs up the organs and slows down the digestion. Both meat and dairy are acidic which creates a highly acid body. You must bring back alkalinity if you want to bring back good health.

Change your diet to organic raw and living sprouted foods and eliminate animal products, sugar, chemicals, preservatives and processed dead food. You will give a powerful gift to your body. A clean, well functioning body will not manifest diseases.

Dark green leafy vegetables, celery, cucumbers, squash, sunflower sprouts, broccoli sprouts and mung bean sprouts are just a few of the many raw and living food vegetable choices that will help the body to cleanse and detoxify itself. Systematic colon cleansing with enemas and colonics will restore your body’s natural ability to heal every disease. Clean on the inside, means healthy on the outside.

Fennel Apple Slaw

1 head fennel
6 apples chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 scallions, minced
1 Tablespoons poppy seeds
4 dates (pitted)
1/2 cup lemon or lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp. Himalayan salt crystals

Use all organic ingredients. Chop the fennel, apple, celery and scallions. Put the dates, lemon juice, olive oil, poppy seeds and salt in the Vita-Mix and blend for 15 seconds. Pour the dressing over the slaw and toss until well coated.

Brenda Cobb is author of The Living Foods Lifestyle® and founder of The Living Foods Institute, an Educational Center and Therapy Spa in Atlanta offering Healthy Lifestyle Courses on Nutrition, Cleansing, Healing, Anti-Aging, Detoxification, Relaxation and Cleansing Therapies. For more information, call 404-524-4488 or
1-800-844-9876 and visit www.livingfoodsinstitute.com

Chia seeds are one of the most powerful and nutritious superfoods in the world. Chia seed is an excellent source of fiber, packed with antioxidants, full of protein, loaded with vitamins and minerals, and the richest known plant source of omega-3 essential fatty acids. Everyone from children to senior citizens can benefit from the wonderful nutritional qualities of chia seeds.

Chia seeds have more omega-3 than Atlantic salmon,

more antioxidants than fresh blueberries, more fiber than bran flakes, five times the calcium of milk, two times the amount of potassium as bananas, three times more iron than spinach and more protein, fiber and calcium than flax seed. Adding just 2 tablespoons of chia seeds to your daily diet will give you approximately 7 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 205 milligrams of calcium, and a whopping 5 grams of omega-3. Chia seeds include phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, niacin and zinc.

Chia is an ancient superfood that is very similar to flax, but without the estrogen and phytoestrogen element. It is a great source of B vitamins including folic acid.

Chia has 3 to 10 times the oil concentration of most grains and 1 ½ to 2 times the protein concentration of other grains. The oils are the essential oils the body needs to help absorb the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Chia seeds are energizing and give a boost of energy that lasts, providing stamina and endurance. A single tablespoon could sustain Aztec warriors for an entire day. Chia seeds reduce cravings. Because chia seeds absorb so much water and have high soluble 
fiber levels, they help release natural, unrefined carbohydrate energy slowly into the bloodstream.

Chia seeds are easily digestible.

Unlike flax seed, chia seeds do not have to be ground up before you ingest them. The human body can easily digest chia seeds, and with about 7 grams of fiber per serving, they actually help digestion. Chia seeds are convenient and versatile. You can eat chia seeds straight from the bag, mix them with your favorite drink, add them to your cereal or salad, and just about anything else. Chia seeds last for years in the refrigerator.

Chia seeds do good things for the body, like keeping blood pressure and blood sugar under control. The omega-3 fatty acids in chia protect against inflammation and heart disease. Chia seeds come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family that grows in southern Mexico. In pre-Columbian times, chia seeds were a component of the Aztec and Mayan diets and the basic survival ration of Aztec warriors. They even played a role in religious ceremonies. Supposedly, 1 tablespoon of the seeds could sustain a person for 24 hours. The Aztecs also used chia medicinally to relieve joint pain and skin conditions. It was a major crop in central and southern Mexico well into the 16th century, but it was banned after the Spanish conquest because of its association with the Aztec 
”pagan” religion. Over the past few decades, commercial production has resumed.

Insects hate the chia plant, so it’s easy to find organic seeds.

Unlike flaxseed, chia seeds can be stored for long periods without becoming rancid and don’t require grinding. You can enjoy chia seeds’ nutlike flavor by sprinkling ground or whole chia seeds on cereal or salads, blend them in a smoothie, juice or water, or create healthy, delicious dehydrated crackers or cookies. Eat a handful of whole seeds as a snack or make your own chia smoothie.

Chia Seeds have many anti-aging properties. The seeds fight free radical damage. Aging happens when damaged cells are replicated. Chia antioxidants act to neutralize the free radicals that cause premature aging and flush out age-accelerating toxins. Chia seeds help a person regain youthful exuberance, skin elasticity, enhance hair, skin and nails, lubricate joints, reduce inflammation and muscle soreness and speed rejuvenation as well as lowering lactic acid buildup in muscles.

Chia provides 97% of its calories from high quality plant protein and lipids with very few calories from carbohydrates. The carbohydrate portion of Chia is predominantly insoluble fiber, which is beneficial to digestion in that it passes through the gastro-intestinal tract undigested resulting in a non-caloric effect to the body. Gram for gram, Chia is the highest source of protein, bar none.

Banana Coconut Chia Pudding

2 ripe bananas
1 cup fresh coconut water
2 Tbs. chia seeds

Grind the chia seeds in the Vita-Mix or other high speed blender. Add the bananas and coconut water and blend until creamy. Take the mixture out of the blender and allow it to thicken. Enjoy this nutritious, delicious and easy treat.

Brenda Cobb is author of The Living Foods Lifestyle® and founder of The Living Foods Institute, an Educational Center and Therapy Spa in Atlanta offering Healthy Lifestyle Courses on Nutrition, Cleansing, Healing, Anti-Aging, Detoxification, Relaxation and Cleansing Therapies. For more information, call 404-524-4488 or
1-800-844-9876 and visit www.livingfoodsinstitute.com

Sesame seeds are best known as a topping for rolls and bread in North America, but in other parts of the world they are an important source of high quality protein and edible oil. These tiny light beige or black seeds are made up of 55% oil and 45% protein. The long shelf life of sesame oil is most likely due to its anti-oxidant properties.

Whole sesame seeds are commonly ground into a butter, called tahini, with a consistency a bit thinner than peanut butter.

Available roasted or raw, the healthiest choice would be tahini made out of raw sesame seeds, with nothing added, subtracted or refined. Available ground from hulled or unhulled seeds; it is a matter of preference, however the unhulled variety could have more roughage than desirable for some people. If the jar does not use the word ‘raw’ then assume it is made from toasted sesame seeds.

A fascinating discovery created interest in tahini.

During both World War II and the Korean war, Turkish aviators were well known for their physical and mental endurance. Upon investigation, it was discovered that tahini was an important part of their daily diet. Since then, growing interest in ethnic foods has introduced many people to hummus, a chick-pea-tahini spread or dip that is a staple in the mid-east, and baba-gannouj, which contains eggplant and tahini.

A nutritional powerhouse, tahini contains all the essential amino acids,

making it a high quality protein, plus it is rich in lecithin, vitamin E and calcium. It is easily digestible because its high alkaline mineral content neutralizes the acid end products of the protein. Because of its non-acid nature, tahini is an ideal protein source for people with weak digestive systems, invalids and young children, and is an excellent source of quick energy for active people and athletes.

Raw tahini can be purchased from several mail order sources, usually at great savings over health food store prices.

Many health food stores carry only roasted sesame tahini, but if you ask them to carry raw tahini they may comply, because the same sources that manufacture the roasted tahini also make raw tahini.

In the process of grinding the whole raw seeds into tahini, reputable companies keep the temperature from the friction in the grinding mechanism right around 100 ° degrees Fahrenheit, which is well below the 118 ° it takes to kill enzymes. The jars are then immediately capped with a special lid that creates a vacuum in the jar.

There is no need for pasteurization, or for the manufacturer to immerse the bottled raw tahini into boiling liquids or steam. You should be getting raw tahini that really is a raw food product. (This same information also applies to raw nut butters and is based on a conversation with a manufacturer. Hopefully it is true but unfortunately there are no guarantees.)

Tahini is a useful food because of its healthful properties, pleasant taste and adaptability in recipes. At this point in time, it is also very economical. However, being a labor-intensive crop, as its popularity in the West increases, so probably will the price. Currently tahini is a third of the price of almond butter. If you’ve never used it, now would be a good time to begin. You will be able to make many dressings, soups and main courses that take advantage of all tahini has to offer.

Recipes made with Tahini

(from The Raw Gourmet (©Books Alive) by Nomi Shannon)

Frozen Vanilla Bliss

This tastes very much like dairy soft serve ice cream, only better. Not only is it a great way to start your day but it also makes a healthy snack. Use more tahini if you are a bodybuilder or are trying to increase your (good) fat, protein and calorie intake. Bodybuilders might try 1 cup of water, 4 tablespoons of tahini and 2 frozen bananas. The addition of carob or other fruit works very well in this recipe–let your imagination run wild! If you prefer a sweeter drink, add one or two soaked dates, or a bit of maple syrup (which is not raw).

• 3/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons raw tahini, or more to taste
• 1-2 frozen bananas, cut in chunks
• Dash vanilla (optional)

In blender, combine water, tahini, banana and vanilla. Blend until thick and smooth. Serve immediately. Serves 1.

Creamy Carrot Asparagus Soup

This could be called the king of soups. The fiber in the asparagus creates a delightful texture, and the tahini gives the soup a smooth quality. Do not use the woody ends of the asparagus; chop only the most tender part, about two inches from the end. (Vegetarian dogs are known to love the woody ends of the asparagus; they chew on them like a bone!)

• 1 cup carrot juice
• 1 cup coarsely chopped asparagus, or more to taste
• 2 heaping tablespoons raw tahini or almond butter
• 1 teaspoon chopped onion, or more to taste
• Nama Shoyu (a raw soy sauce) or celtic sea salt, to taste
• Dulse flakes, to taste

In a blender, combine the carrot juice, asparagus, tahini, onion, nama shoyu and dulse flakes.  Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Yields approximately 1 1/2 cups. Serves 1.

Variation: Heat soup in the top of a double boiler or over very low heat until it is warm to the touch. For extra spice, stir in 1/2 teaspoon wasabi powder. Or try it with a dash of curry powder or for a nice East Indian flair, use some garam masala.

Orange Tahini Dressing 

This delightful light dressing only takes a few minutes to make. Its simplicity invites variation. Try adding 1-2 teaspoons tamari (a soy sauce made without wheat), or 2 teaspoons poppy seeds and 1/4 teaspoon Chinese 5-spice powder.

• 2 tablespoons raw tahini
• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
• 1 teaspoon dulse flakes
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger root
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon curry powder
• Pinch sea salt

In a small bowl, place the tahini. Add the orange juice gradually, blending it with the tahini. Add the dulse, ginger, cinnamon, curry, and salt. Yields approximately 1/2 cup.

Halvah

Halvah is a candy popular in the Middle East, where it is made from ground sesame seeds. This is far superior to the store bought variety. For a lighter version, make this recipe with the almond pulp leftover from making almond milk. (Use the almond pulp the day you make it.)

• 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
• 1/2 cup raw tahini
• 3 tablespoons honey (or 3-4 soaked dates)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a food processor, place almonds and process until finely ground. Add the tahini, honey and vanilla, and process thoroughly. Press the mixture onto a plate or pan until it is 1/2″ (1 cm) thick (don’t worry about filling the pan, just press the mixture to the correct thickness). Chill the halvah in the refrigerator for 1 hour or more, then cut it into bite-sized pieces and roll into little balls. Yields 20-24 pieces.

Variation: Add 3 tablespoons carob to mixture.

*DISCLAIMER – The content found here is for informational purposes only, and is in no way intended as medical advice, as a substitute for medical counseling, or as a treatment/cure for any disease or health condition and nor should it be construed as such. Always work with a qualified health professional before making any changes to your diet, prescription drug use, lifestyle, or exercise activities. This information is provided as-is, and the reader/viewer assumes all risks from the use, non-use, or misuse of this information.

I discovered after six years of veganism that I do much better with a bit of meat and eggs. However, I do think there are some who have successfully adapted to this restricted diet which we did not evolve on. The following is an excerpt from my new book, Beyond Broccoli, and details some of the research I found on how one can supplement a vegan diet.

If You’re Vegan, Consider Vegetarianism

In the raw food movement, people are mostly raw vegans. This is because many people who are already vegan naturally decide that eating raw is the next step to taking it further. Others come to the raw food movement directly from a standard American diet, and they become vegan because “everyone else is.”

Another reason most raw fooders are vegan is that raw dairy is unavailable in most states, and the thought of eating raw meat or eggs can seem rather unappetizing. Why? Because we were not brought up eating it raw culturally, and our ancestors have likely been cooking animal foods longer than anything else.

Where in the raw food movement are the raw vegetarians? I think they are more than might be imagined. I know there are some out there. Three people — Frédéric Patenaude, Bob Avery, and Victoria Boutenko — who are even well known in the raw movement have been open about the fact that they sometimes eat raw eggs.

David Jubb lists raw goat cheese in one of the recipes in his book. Kevin Gianni now eats krill oil. Brother Nazariah eats dairy and eggs. There are probably some who don’t make it public or put it in their books because they don’t want to be ostracized by zealots. I know; I was one of them!

Every time there is a raw food event, it nearly always has in the title vegan after raw. I would like sometime to see an event that says “raw vegetarian.”

What would raw vegetarians eat that a raw vegan wouldn’t? They could add eggs and some dairy (preferably fermented) to their diet to gain valuable nutrients. If they were sensitive to dairy, they could enjoy two or three raw egg yolks a day. This would give them vitamins A, D, and B12, and brain-specific minerals. Providing the eggs come from chickens fed flax seeds, chia seeds, or fish meal, the eggs would also provide DHA and EPA.

Clean Yourself Out

Whenever someone fails at a vegan diet, other vegans rarely blame vegan diets per se for possible nutrient deficiencies. They speculate instead, “He wasn’t eating the correct kind of vegan diet,” or “Well, he just wasn’t cleaned out enough.”

Yet this certainly doesn’t apply to everyone. There have been plenty of people who have tried every kind of vegan diet but failed. There are also those who practiced fasting and have gone 100 percent raw (which is a cleansing diet) for years but nonetheless found their vegan diets inadequate. Examples already mentioned include the Westbrook family, who were raw vegans for 6 years, and Aajonus Vonderplanitz, who was a raw vegan for 11 years.

Nonetheless, it does help to take purification measures periodically. Toxic accumulations increase our need for various nutrients and also may inhibit absorption of new ones. So, if you fast periodically and eat at least 80 percent of your calories raw, it will indeed help with micronutrient absorption and lower your dietary need for them. For example, vitamin D status improved after weight loss, which involves a loss of toxins, in one study.6 Another example is that toxic antinutrients in some plant foods increase the need for iodine.7

Start Young but Not Too Young

It also helps to be young when you start, but not too young, as these diets are not best for all growing children. Those who start in their 20s or 30s seem to have, on the average, better success rates than those who start later in life. They haven’t usually accumulated as many toxins. To be a successful vegan, your body must be good at nutrient conversions and synthesizing nutritional elements.8 These conversions are often inefficient even in the healthiest person and are often impossible in the sick, elderly, toxic, or very young.

Cheat with Super Foods

Do as the Muslims advise: “Pray to Allah, but tie up your camel.” Be 90-95 percent vegan, but take a few raw animal super foods for insurance: a tablespoon or two of cod liver oil, a couple of sardines, a few egg yolks, a tablespoon of powdered raw beef liver from Argentina. Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation, said not to eat anything with a face. Even a “faceless” diet could include super foods like eggs, clams, and oysters.

Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid

- The two plant sources highest in zinc are wheat germ and pumpkin seeds, but the phytates in wheat germ make much of it unavailable to the body. Since a plant diet is high in copper, you need a lot of zinc to balance out the copper. The catch is that if you eat a lot of pumpkin seeds or wheat germ, you may also be overdosing on omega-6 fatty acids, so you will also need to eat a lot of walnuts and chia seeds. Or take flax oil for balance.

- Your brain needs DHA, which you can get from the purslane weed or from algal supplements — some of which can be neurotoxic, however. Blue-green algae are rich in DHA, but since they contain neurotoxins, this should be proof positive that that we didn’t evolve as vegans, as algae are the only significant plant sources known to have this crucial brain nutrient fully formed.

- If you are vegetarian, you can instead consume eggs labeled high omega-3 or DHA. Some vegans can synthesize enough DHA and EPA from omega-3 plant sources.

- Brazil nuts are the most significant vegan source of selenium, unless the soil where you live happens to be high in selenium.

- Hemp seed is the most complete plant protein and one of the few with proper omega-3 to omega-6 ratios.1

- A common mistake in raw veganism is assuming nuts and seeds have sufficient quantities of all the amino acids you need. The truth is that a few do, but since they are 70-90 percent fat, you would have to eat a great deal of them to get sufficient amino acids. It might be wise to do what cooked vegetarians and vegans do — add legumes, which contain lysine.

- Nuts and seeds are relatively low in this essential amino acid. The two complementary proteins (legumes with nuts and/or seeds and/or sprouted grains) should be eaten.

- Be sure to eat nuts and seeds for methionine, an amino acid found primarily in flesh foods. Sesame seeds and Brazil nuts are adequate in methionine, as is soy protein.

- Do some research, as certain legumes, such as red kidney beans, are considered to be toxic when eaten raw. But most legumes, such as peas, lentils, and garbanzo beans, can be soaked, rinsed, and sprouted to get rid of antinutrients. It is hard to overeat them so much raw as when cooked. Legume sprouts may be bloating for some people. For this reason, some raw fooders will steam the sprouted lentils just three to five minutes to break down their cellulose walls. This can make a huge difference in digestibility, even though many enzymes perish.

- A great source of protein is hemp seed (found online if not locally), perhaps as much as half a cup (80 grams hulled) a day. It isn’t cheap, but if you want to depend on plants to stay healthy, your diet should be composed of mostly super foods that are amino-acid balanced, omega-6/3 balanced, and mineral rich.

- Your body needs saturated fat. Your liver makes it, but you may need to supplement that with dietary saturated fat as well. The chief plant sources with significant amounts are coconuts, palm nuts, and cacao butter, some of which should be staples in vegan diets. Vegetarians can get these fats from eggs and dairy.

- Eat sea vegetables to get adequate iodine and some calcium. Seek out natto, as it is the only known plant source of vitamin K2.

- Remember that Dr. Price found that people with truly robust health consumed ten times the amount of vitamins A and D eaten by Americans of his day. If you forgo the cod liver oil or other animal source rich in vitamin D (like liver), you would probably have to sunbathe for hours in a swimsuit, several times a week if not daily. I lived in sunny San Diego with year round temperatures of about 70° F, yet I knew no one who had time to do that.

- I also know no one who has time to juice the amount of produce needed to get ten times the RDA of vitamin A. You need loads of beta-carotene, precursor to vitamin A. Remember that Dr. Price found we need much more for robust health. You may need to consume the equivalent of three pounds of carrots a day to get enough vitamin A for robust health. You can buy dehydrated carrot juice, however.

- I highly recommend that your “cheat” be a tablespoon or two of cod liver oil. Be sure to compare brands to find one that contains a significant amount of D. Some people feel it’s best to get the same ratios as those found naturally in the cod fish, as excesses can be toxic. Even raw vegan leader Rev. George Malkmus, founder of the raw vegan Hallelujah Acres program, recognizes the value of fish liver oil. He allows cod liver oil for those following his diet, although he himself takes a daily 5,000 IU vitamin D3 supplement instead.

- Sunflower seeds also have some vitamin D2, though they are overloaded in omega-6 fats. The vitamin D2 from plants is not efficiently converted to D3 either.

- Otherwise, try eating plenty of sundried shiitake or reiki mushrooms, which tend to be expensive, two of the only known plant sources of vitamin D. But you would have to eat about 13 ounces (400 grams) a day to get just the minimum RDA of 400 IU.23

- If vegan, you may need to take B12 sublingual lozenges or other B12 supplement, preferably in methylcobalamin form. You may need injections if the B12 doesn’t absorb (determined with blood tests). The injections contain toxic preservatives, so they should be a last-ditch resort. I would advise giving up veganism if you get to that point; I did!

- If vegetarian, simply eat three egg yolks a day to satisfy B12 requirements. Fortified yeast is another option, but be aware that it is not raw and not advisable for anyone fighting a candida overgrowth.

- Avoid most grains, cereals, soy, and starchy vegetables. Eat legumes and a few nongluten grains, such as wild rice, corn, buckwheat, millet, and quinoa,4 but only after soaking them overnight, rinsing them, and sprouting them. If you insist on eating cooked legumes, soak the beans two days like traditional Indians, or at least overnight. Then cook them in a pressure cooker to deactivate most of the remaining lectins. A study on Turkish beans found this helpful, but be aware that pressure cooking also destroys nutrients because of its high heat.5

- Unless you are a carb type and you know you can get fruit that has been picked ripe, minimize fruit intake. Eat mainly apples, plums, and berries, which don’t stimulate insulin secretion as much as sweeter fruits.

Get Blood Tests

Finally: Always, always get that annual blood test done, including a check of all your vitamin and mineral levels. Be aware that it may take years for certain deficiencies to show up. Stay on top of it with periodic blood tests — at least yearly for vitamins B12 and D. Your body can store B12 and fat-soluble vitamins for many years.

*DISCLAIMER – The content found here is for informational purposes only, and is in no way intended as medical advice, as a substitute for medical counseling, or as a treatment/cure for any disease or health condition and nor should it be construed as such. Always work with a qualified health professional before making any changes to your diet, prescription drug use, lifestyle, or exercise activities. This information is provided as-is, and the reader/viewer assumes all risks from the use, non-use, or misuse of this information.

…. Published Friday, September 16th, 2011
…. By Alex Ortner

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The hospitals are full. Think about your family alone, and you can probably recall someone who’s had surgery or is on medication. Maybe you have yourself. I personally don’t like going to hospitals and avoid them at all costs. And how do I avoid them…with preventative health care.

People sometimes talk about “preventative health care” on the news when talking about our health care system but don’t often go into what it actual means.  According to wikipedia “Preventive medicine or preventive care refers to measures taken to prevent diseases, (or injuries) rather than curing them or treating their symptoms.”

So to better explain “preventative medicine” or “preventative care” here are some simple tips for staying healthy…

1. Add More Raw Foods To Your Diet

Eating primarily raw food is a known way to improve your health and fight against diseases.  This is where preventative care begins.

Even if you aren’t 100% raw, moving towards a 50% – 80% raw diet can be drastically improving. Mixed with whole foods, a largely raw diet can give your body the nutrients it needs to fight the harmful agents constantly coming in.

2. Take Care of Your Colon

This seems like an unattractive topic to talk about, but it could be one of the most important to your overall health. I’ve heard it said many times that sickness starts in the colon. As your body digests and processes foods, unwanted and unused waste gets left in your colon. And if your body isn’t able to clear toxins and other unwanted foods from your body and colon…they can be reintroduced into your system, causing sickness and disease.

It’s always helpful to think of your insides as a system of pipes…and like any system of pipes, you want to make sure there’s a healthy flow where things aren’t getting stuck!    And that means keeping your colon clean.

Keeping your colon clean boils down to two things – 1) Not putting junk into your body that is hard to get out.  Any foods that are harder to break down and eliminate like red meat and heavy carbs should be reduced or eliminated.  2) Taking measures to clear out your colon like eating lots of green leafy vegetables, eating herbs that help to flush our your colon and doing colonics.

3. Move from an Acidic Diet to Akaline Diet

Scientists have found that healthy people have systems that are more alkaline and less acidic. When your body is more acidic and the pH is unbalanced, it increases the risk for infections from bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses. Cancer thrives on acidic conditions as well. Your body fluid pH level should be between 7.1 and 7.5.

The standard American diet of meat, pasta and fast foods is extremely acidic and should be avoided as much as possible, if not altogether.

Many raw foods however, are extremely alkaline forming, but be aware that not all raw foods are alkalizing.  As a general rule, raw foods that are high in sugar such as bananas, apples and oranges can raise the pH of the body where as vegetables that are low in sugar such as green leafy vegetables are alkalizing.  That doesn’t mean you want to avoid all sugary fruit, it just means that you want to minimize them and eat a diet that is alkalizing.

4. Add Enzyme Supplements

Enzymes are catalysts. They carry out biochemical processes that fight infections. You need enzymes for healing, but you don’t get them from the cooked and baked foods you eat. The heat destroys the enzymes. This is yet another reason why eating raw is good for you, because you actually get enzymes from raw food. Today, enzyme supplements have been developed, and are a great way to obtain the enzymes you don’t get from your food. They can be found in natural health stores, or even in the organic sections of some grocery stores. Enzymes truly enable your body to run at peak performance, which is vital to both preventing disease and beating it.

To your health,

Alex Ortner

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*DISCLAIMER – The content found here is for informational purposes only, and is in no way intended as medical advice, as a substitute for medical counseling, or as a treatment/cure for any disease or health condition and nor should it be construed as such. Always work with a qualified health professional before making any changes to your diet, prescription drug use, lifestyle, or exercise activities. This information is provided as-is, and the reader/viewer assumes all risks from the use, non-use, or misuse of this information.

Do you think that being healthy or raw means giving up great tastes? I know when I first started looking at all this “healthy living” stuff, I thought I was going to have to give up EVERYTHING tasty. Over time though, I’ve come to find that some of the healthiest choices for me, are also the yummiest.

What’s the secret? Well raw food, like any other food, needs to be prepared right if it’s going to taste awesome! That means putting the right ingredients together.

One of the best ways to pack everything in you need for your body is with juices.

But let’s be honest, some juices taste GROSS, right? I know.

Well what if they didn’t have to be? What if your juices were inviting, enjoyable, even mouthwatering?

That’s why I have some great juice recipes for you to try out right away! Part 1 of this e-book from Philip McClusky, “RAW FOOD JUICE BAR” is absolutely free and available for you to download now! These juices don’t just taste good, they taste great! Take a look:

To your health,

Alex Ortner

*DISCLAIMER – The content found here is for informational purposes only, and is in no way intended as medical advice, as a substitute for medical counseling, or as a treatment/cure for any disease or health condition and nor should it be construed as such. Always work with a qualified health professional before making any changes to your diet, prescription drug use, lifestyle, or exercise activities. This information is provided as-is, and the reader/viewer assumes all risks from the use, non-use, or misuse of this information.