Film Reviews of "Simply Raw"
 
 
 

Angela Stokes of http://rawreform.blogspot.com had this to say:

WOW – a couple of nights ago we watched the new ‘Simply Raw’ DVD, which follows 6 diabetics as they reverse this condition naturally, with raw food, at the Tree of Life centre in Arizona. I was SOOOOOOO happy to finally see this documentary – it has been a long time coming and it was definitely worth the wait ;)

I found myself nodding my head, laughing out loud, exclaiming ‘YES’, ‘WOW’ and so on countless times throughout the 90-minute presentation. It is SO gratifying and exciting to see six people who have all been told that they will be ‘on their medication for life’ not only COME OFF all allopathic meds, but also lose weight, shift through emotional stumbling blocks, get more physically active and start SHINING with healthy skin and eyes...in just 30 days...

I am very excited to see the impact this film will have in the world...diabetes is at pandemic levels now and this film clearly shows how easily it CAN be reversed, if people are willing to let go of that ever-sticky relationship to processed ‘foods’ and eat more simply, moving more into alignment with nature...

There is a fabulous part at the end of the film where one of the participants goes back to her home community and visits her doctor there, who is so bowled over by her recovery that he announces smthg along the lines of ‘wow – how do we ship ALL of my patients out to Arizona for treatment?’. LOVE it ;) I sit here grinning just relaying this story – OoooOoOooo it’s so exciting when people get the message and pass it on – love it, love it, love it... ALL blessings for the amazing, unfolding healing of all ;) 

 
 

Paulina and Leon from Calgary, AB, Canda:

"I was totally blown over on how fast the sugar levels changed with all the participants. My husband who has diabetes finally looked at it after I told him he should. We started eating more raw food but because he hasn't gone to his doctor to be checked, we do it more slowly than the dvd showed.

We noticed that his anger and anxiety has an effect on the levels, and with the raw food it is slowly changing. I do like him to come to your place one day to help him totally change his life style, since I think we should learn more about it.

Thank you again for the information and we will sent this on to other friends."

 
 

Dennis L Anderson DDS:

"I watched "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" twice and found it to be very well done. I liked that there was a variety of types of participants and the opportunity to know about their individual lives. Making a change as drastic as shown in the film is difficult for most people, and impossible for some, as shown in the film.

I have been a dentist for thirty eight years and had a time fifteen years ago when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. There were no drugs available at that time, and I probably wouldn't have taken them anyway. I studied my options and chose to do "Gerson Therapy", which is essentially
detoxification via coffee enemas and rebuilding the body via making and drinking vegetable juices. It turned out that my body was toxic with mercury from my dentistry. I had classic "Mad Hatter" symptoms including hand tremors that stopped my dental practice. After ten years of detoxification,
juicing, and establishing a strong spiritual connection I was able to heal substantially from the M S and mercury poisoning symptoms and have now been in a new dental practice in my home for two and a half years. My diet was mostly vegetarian during my healing period (with at least a pint of home
made vegetable juice a day during the first several years).

I can relate to the difficulty the participants faced - I went through all that by myself, but alone. Your film can be a source of inspiration to people with all sorts of diseases, and especially diabetes.

Thank you all for your wonderful message and the beautiful way you put it together. The film is absolutely the highest quality it could be.

"Raw for Life Encyclopedia" is also very well done and I am using it to help me incorporate moving to a higher level of eating raw foods.

I'm now in my third day of eating totally raw food, which is mostly about eliminating cooking my food and eliminating eating the small amount of flesh I have been eating (moose and fish). I will do it for thirty days and see what the benefits are for me. I will continue the coffee enemas and taking
"Standard Process" supplements.

I can't think of enough praise for what you folks are doing. As a dentist I see the body destruction daily and do my part to help people make the changes necessary to experience health through conscious personal action.

I am getting close to completing a book about my adventures during my process of healing. I hope to be able to inspire others who have become toxic and sick, especially dentists.

Thank you."

 
 

Mark Maynard:

"...Overall its a great film and I wish you the best with it. I am a doctor of Oriental Medicine in New Mexico and when I get a practice set up I hope to loan the movie to patients.

 
 

Stevie:
 
"I loved the film. I was super excited to get it and when I did I watched it twice in a row. I thought it was very moving and also quite inspiring....I having been teaching some raw food classes and I always reference the movie. I'm also contemplating doing the public viewing option and buying a bunch more copies so as to get the license.

I think this film has the potential to change so many lives and educate so many more. I look forward to exposing as many people as I can to the movie and the information in it.

Congratulations on your successful work!! Keep it up!
 
Peace and blessing."

 
 

Rae Lyn Winblad:

"Hi,  I absolutely loved the film and plan to watch it again with some friends.  Film seemed to be made well and edited well.  Very interested in the program. Results wonderful. Increasing raw food percentage. Thanks for making it."

 
 

Megan Gray:

"Simply Raw  inspired me, as a Type 1 Diabetic, to get my life back by eating more raw foods and to slowly change/take control of my diet. It brings hope to me and my family that we can heal our bodies and one day reverse my Diabetes. I hope to one day go through the the program at the Tree of Life Center myself. Thank you Dr. Cousens!!"

 
 

Arthur Sturm:

"Your documentary, 'Simply Raw' was excellent. It appears to have been very honest, interesting and most of all informative. It was nice that you showed both the problems as well as the successes. I was somewhat dismayed that one participant left and another was still taking a small amount of insulin although both showed a vast improvement.

It is an ongoing frustration with me that I live in a culture that refuses to have an open mind about subjects like this. Within a day of receiving this DVD I had been listening to a PBS TV show called "Call the Doctor" about diabetes. One of the doctors was asked if there was any cure for diabetes to which the doctor replied "I wish I knew". Unfortunately the show was prerecorded so that I could call in about this DVD. This DVD should be required viewing for all people.

I should let you know that I am about 85% raw and I had been acutely hypoglycemic before I went on a raw food diet. I no longer suffer from this. I plan to become 100% raw.
I wish to thank Dr. Cousens and all the people involved in this project."

 
 

Bijana Pantic Scholes

"I love your movie, it brought tears in my eyes and my husband's eyes. After watching your movie we went to Ottawa for Raw Food Festival. Now, my husband is eating raw and I decided to be 100 % raw. I think that your movie was his inspirational wheel that got it's speed on festival by tasting raw cuisine."

 
 

Petra and Don Cruser - Little River, CA:

"Both my husband and I like the video very much. The video created a very personal account of the participants struggles and successes. We both think of them and wonder how they are doing now.
It was so inspiring that I contacted several diabetes support groups to show them the video. I also am determined to help people with diabetes get healthy. Everyone interested in health should see this
video. Please buy the video if you know someone who has diabetes. It is also good to watch just to see the possibilities that we have in curing chronic diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and auto-immune diseases."

 
 

Mary Ann:

"I did enjoy and would love to know how the people are doing now who went through the program. i appreciated seeing the up's and down's of withdrawl process and specifically how blood levels were effected by change in eating. as i am a type 1 diabetic trying to go raw. i have been a vegetarian for 20 years but that didn't keep me from being morbidly obese. it's a real source of frustration for me trying to do this on my own. i would love to start an online support group for diabetic's who are going raw as I NEED MORE HELP TO TRANSITION INTO IT! if you have any input , that would be most welcome.i was really moved by guy who is now studying to become a doctor himself after reversing type 1 diagnosis. i am praying i can do that too."

 
 

Tacomamas:

"I love the film!  And have began to share it with my friend:-)

It would be nice to see other physical difficulties addressed such as Crone's, Lupus etc.. and how they would respond to the RAW lifestyle.

I myself am trying to go more RAW in my eating.  I feel the benefits of raw but don't have the confidence in the creation of raw/living food.  I am presently devouring raw books, web site links with video, etc...  I found the companion to the Simply Raw - "Raw for Life Encyclopedia" very encouraging both in the information shared and the viewing of how to make the different foods that were included on the disc.

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts."

 
 

Bill Mason:

"I was captivated watching 'Simply Raw.' It was exciting to see the great changes each one of those participants experienced. I say this because I went completely raw for 3 months without even so much as a crouton on my salads at night. I did not have any existing medical condition when I first decided to go raw. I simply wanted to experience all the wonderful things Dr. Walker promised in his literature. So I ate completely raw and drank powerful raw juices from the Norwalk Juicer. Rapidly my body and mind started to change. Almost immediately I started shedding unwanted fat from my body (35lbs. in 2 1/2 months). I expected the people in your video to start experiencing the same things I did, and they did! They said they had an abundant amount of energy, their minds were clearer and they were generally happier people. That is exactly what I experienced. Dr. Norman Walker's books and his Norwalk juicer changed my whole relationship with food. I don't look at food as entertainment any longer. It is a fuel for my body, and I decide what grade of fuel I will run on. The Raw for 30 Days video scientifically supported my belief in the power of raw foods."

 
 

Marty:

"I was absolutely astounded by the change in health and attitude after 30 days raw. Disease reversal, weight loss, energy, enthusiasm for life -- what other nutritional plan can claim such terrific results. I
also liked the fact that your film followed up with some of the participants after the ranch experience so I could get an idea of how hard it may be to maintain a raw diet outside of a controlled environment. Great job!"

 
 

Shannon:

"Great film. While I do not have diabetes, I felt it was important to get inspired about eating a raw diet.

It was difficult for me to see the Native American man leave the program. Especially upsetting was seeing his other family members who were also obese, and perhaps suffering from diabetes also. It brings to light the issue of indigenous peoples' health.

Sadly, in Hawai'i where I live, many people suffer from diabetes and of those, many are Native Hawaiians. There was an article on the front page of The Honolulu Advertiser, one of our local papers today (Sunday) about the disease and its reach into our community. One family of four has three people with diabetes, the father being the only one without it.

It would be great to spread this film around Hawai'i so afflicted people can see that it is possible to live without diabetes."

 
  Dean Martens, Clinical Herbalist - President & Founder of Herbs of Light, Inc. - www.herbsoflife.com:
 
"I have seen the the film and believe it to be more important than any current information available today on getting health back from diabetes, stage 1 & 2. People need to have reflection from a respected, qualified M.D. such as Dr. Gabriel Cousins who also understands the complimentary medicine of natural law. They are the same laws I used in getting my own health back from rheumatoid and ostioarthritis. The allopathic sciences said that could not be done.
 
This film gives a true understanding both emotionally and intellectually of the discipline and courage needed for a person to succeed. My congratulations to Dr. Cousins and all the people who participated in this mile stone endeavor."
 
 

Miriam, San Diego, CA:

"I have watched your movie, and I love it! It is documented similar to the currently popular 'reality' shows on TV. This is exactly what is needed right now. My husband, who is not particularly interested in healthy food, and who never watches movies or reality shows, sat through the entire movie with interest - he even asked me to put it on 'pause' when he went to give the cat a treat!

After having one experience with angina (early 2003) my cardiologist recommended an angiogram. During this process they found a very small blocked vein near the bottom of my heart. After three tries the doctor was unable to insert a stint (Thank God!) so they pulled out the catheter and closed me up. My smiling cardiologist then gave me three prescriptions, one of which was a statin drug to lower my cholesterol. I did not take any of these drugs. Instead I immediately signed up for a three-week raw food program at Optimum Health Institute in San Diego. At the end of the program, I became a volunteer guest on the program for the next three months. At the end of that time I went for a check-up with my cardiologist. He said all of my tests were good, including lower LDL and higher HDL levels. He was very happy, and said "Keep on doing what you're doing!" - assuming I was taking the drugs. So I smiled, too, and said, "Thank you very much - I will!" He had no idea that I was not taking his drugs, and that my health had greatly improved due to a raw food diet."

 
 

Jeff Heaton of Lafayette, CA:

"Thank you for setting the record straight about healing the degenerative illness's with a raw food vegan diet. I have personally cured several major conditions with a low fat raw food vegan diet. But when I try to explain to sick friends and associates that it really does work, most people figure it
must not be true because they have never heard about it. "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" makes it very clear that the major cause of diabetes is ignorance and addiction to poor eating habits. Finally I have a movie that I can give to others who might be interested in changing their life in a significant way."

 
 

Sean:

"The movie was simply incredible. Inspiring, educational and heart warming all at the same time. For those that need "proof" that the raw food approach to nutrition is beneficial and life changing they need to watch this film.

I just recently began my own journey on the raw living lifestyle and will certainly return to this movie for continued motivation!

Looking forward to a sequel! ;)"

 
 

Martine:

"I saw the movie and thought this is amazing and all the people I know with diabetic problems should see this movie and start doing the same diet. For myself it also is interesting because I have a high bloodpressure and taking medicine for this. The other nice thing about the film was the groupdynamic
wich was a process and developed in a very stimulating way. These kind of movies maybe not directly related to all kinds of illness should be information material for schools and on television to change food behavior all over the world."

 
 

Thomas:

"I am a professioanl chef and Raw for 30 days was great. The last six months I have been researching the food suppy and production in our country and the effects on health. The film attracted me because one year ago I treated acid reflux with raw apple cider vinager, so I understood the process of the enzyme in raw food and the effect it was taking on the body. I have been telling a lot of people about this movie and the great job you guys are doing. I have family members that are diabetic so I'm encouraging and introducing raw food to them. Keep up the good work! I will check your web site for new products."

 
 

Margot Hubbard:

"Yes, I was quite inspired by the movie. I sent it straight away to a friend with type 1 diabetes. she hasnt given me her feedback yet. The ladies at the post office want to watch it also. one of them has
a sister with diabetes. i wish everyone with diabetes could watch it. it is a very well made movie. thanks for all your wonderful work."

 
 

Wanda Vest:

"Well I was very impressed with the film. I began the raw lifestyle May of this year. My family thinks I am a little nuts of course and go on eating like they always have. Although I haven't been on the RAW diet for very long, I have been eliminating certain foods for years, so it wasn't very difficult for me to switch.
 
Since May I have lost 15 pounds and seem to be able to maintain without any trouble. My weakness was bread,pasta, pizza, and bacon.  I had given up Colas of any kind 4 years ago.
 
I tried to get my husband to watch the film, but he only watched a small part of the beginning. He is a BIG cheese and cracker eater. Beer is his best bud and just can't seem to see a life without it everyday.
 
A few years ago out of the blue he developed severe Eczema and has to wear rubber gloves all the time to keep his hands from cracking open. He uses several different lotions including a steroid from the doctor also, but they don't really do much.  I keep telling him his problem is with his diet, but he just doesn't believe me, or probably doesn't want to believe me.
 
I was on an antibiotic daily for 7 years for chronic UTI's and had gotten my good bacteria in a mess.
I developed severe Candida and could not get rid of it.  I had taken Probiotics and used Oil of Oregano for 3 or 4 years and although it helped the Candida, it just wouldn't go away. I had the thickly coated tongue and the candida would actually come out of my left tonsil.  I had a hive like rash and could never find out why or what would trigger it.
 
Since I have been on the Raw diet, I haven't taken the probiotic or used the Oil of Oregano except for a couple of days and my tongue is clear and I have no problems with the left tonsil.  It doesn't get sore now as it would before.
 
I think the film should be an eye opener for anyone struggling with diabetes.  Why would someone rather take shots and medicine that only puts a Band-Aid on a problem rather than eliminating it? I suppose the answer is the addiction these people have to these processed foods.
 
Will power is all it takes, the will to feel better and stop dependence on medicines that create havoc on our bodies.
 
Bottom line, I really liked the film and think it should be seen by anyone who WANTS to improve their quality of living and really wants to be healthy for LIFE!!!
 
Although I don't have Diabetes, I was always a huge sugar consumer,until I started getting serious about my health. Colas are a big contributor to many health problems I believe."
 

 
 

Ivan M. Granger - Boulder, CO:

"I enthusiastically recommend "Simply Raw" to anyone seriously seeking to understand the connection between food and health. It is a documentary of more that flat facts and one line sound clips from talking heads -- it is a collection of human stories, journeys and struggles and surprising breakthroughs. The emotional impact by the end of the movie actually brought tears to my eyes."

 
 

Dr. Angela Pogioli, D.C.:

"I wish we could have this movie playing in all doctor's offices across the nation!!  Imperative information that all Americans could use immediately to improve their own health.  If you care about yourself and the health of your family, do yourself a favor and watch this movie!"

 
 

Z Smith:

"I thought the film was very interesting & inspiring,  caused my husband and me to start adding more of the raw foods to our diets for a few days & then we did a 10 day all raw just for a detox.  Now we will add more foods back into  our diet but are still aiming for at least 70% raw.  We also watched Raw for Life & found that educational as well.  The only thing that disappointed me was that there wasn't enough info on the foods,  I would have liked to have had more info on exactly what the participants were eating & more info on individual foods or food groups such as nuts, fruits,  etc.   We are passing the DVDs around to try to get more people educated."

 
 

Sarah Morie:

"I have to tell you that I first purchased the Raw For Life CD and watched the teaser about the Diabetes Documentary and could not wait to see it!

My journey with raw foods started about 7 years ago now through a detox I randomly signed up for with Karyn Calabrese in Chicago. I was a HUGE meat eater then, but after the 30 day detox I never went back to meat. My struggle has been with sugar and a definite addiction to cooked
foods.

Anyway, I can't get enough information on raw foods now and each time I read a new book or watch a CD, something sticks with me and my journey to be 100% raw gets ever closer. I think I'm about 75% to 80% raw now.

The documentary was amazing! You could not help but care for each of the characters in the movie and root for them to keep on the program.

What's even more amazing is how simple it is to heal the 'diseases' that we all experience by eating what was put on this planet for us! It's heartbreaking that whole, organic food costs more than McDonalds or the highly processed foods in the supermarkets and even more heartbreaking when you see people who have made positive change on programs like these start to slip back into their unhealthy lifestyle because of their economic condition.

I'm the first to admit that I have my own weaknesses when it comes to my health and well being, but watching movies like these only motivates me to keep going!! I have devoured books by David Wolfe and Victoria Boutenko, Victoras Kulvinskas, the list goes on. After watching the film, I signed up for a 5-day intensive training with Alyssa Cohen to teach raw food prep! So it inspired me to make change!! My journey will continue until I can maintain 100% raw lifestyle for myself, and then start to motivate others on their own journeys. I think you lead by example and while you may get slack and criticism from people who are uncomfortable with your change, if you don't preach about the lifestyle, eventually those critics become curious.

Sorry for the manifesto!! I do want to thank you and the producers and Gabriel Cousens for making a film that can only inspire positive change and bring hope to those suffering from Diabetes!

I wish you the best in bringing this fantastic information to the public and continued success in your own personal journey!!"

 
 

Bera Aksoy:

"I loved this film. It goes to the heart of the matter of how so many people are programmed to believe they are victims of their ailments when actually they can gain their health back by changing their attitudes and habits. It's not that hard, but only after deprogramming the years of brainwashing! This movie is a proof of concept of how it could happen."

 
 

David DiGiacomo:

"The Simply Raw video was amazing. I have been eating raw for about a month and a half now and feel tremendously better. I actually lent the video to a friend who's nephew has type 1 diabetes. Hopefully she will show it to his family and maybe they will consider a raw diet. I also take classes with a raw foods teacher that obtained a licence to screen the video. So she will be showing it at her meetings. I did not get a chance to look at the encyclopedia as yet. I will let you know when i do."

 
 

Kathryn Gold:

"Yes, I have watched the wonderful video of Raw for 30 days. I am so glad you have made this video available to the public. In 2001, after my having been diagnosed with Breast Ca, my husband
and I attended a workshop given by Victoria Boutenko, where we learned how to prepare our food raw. We went totally on raw food. I even gave away all my cookware. My husband committed
to do the diet for only six months, but I wanted to do it for at least a year, and make it my only way of eating.

Within four months my husband had lost 37 lbs and was off all 12 of his medications, had no sign of diabetes whatsoever, blood pressure perfect. I had lost 52 lbs. Never felt better in our lives. One would think we would have stayed raw forever, but, over the next several months we both reverted to eating as before.

We ate out a lot with friends, and at first it wasnt any big trick to stay with the raw, as we ordered salads, carpacio, tartare, and raw oysters. But then we began to backslide. We have both gained
back all the weight we lost, my husband is back on his 12 meds.

I have just ordered a new Excalibur dehydrator and when it arrives I plan to begain again making raw crackers and other foods with it.

We have moved to Arkansas and I had given almost all my equipment away, as I figured it would cost more to move it than to replace it. So, with the inspiration of your lovely film, I am now acquiring
again the equipment I need to go raw again (at least mostly).

Good job! You have done a great service."

 
 

Marina James-Galvin - www.marinajames.com:

I have watched the movie ( just last week with my husband).. I really ENJOYED it.. and hope to share it with my other nutrition friends/ health minded friends and my own clients. I am a nutritionist/personal trainer and have been incorporating more raw foods into my life.. I am still eating some cooked/ animal protein at this point but a lot less..

I found the film to be very informative and I just loved seeing all the people except for the one guy stick with the program and see amazing results.. WOW... I don't have any diabetic clients currently but this is a movie that I will love to share with them....

It has made me more aware of .. yes.. eating more life foods.. I have been having 1-2 green smoothies a day with greens/ some fruit.. And really feeling more energy... I love it..

Thank you for a powerful/ inspirational move.

 
 

Ken Ethington:

Thank you for the opportunity to review your film. I was impressed enough with the trailer, that I began a "raw for thirty days" diet on my own without any detailed information as to how to do it. The results have been remarkable. My blood sugar readings came down almost immediately (and I
have been a non-compliant diabetic with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugars for years) and I have lost over fifteen pounds in the first twenty days.

Seeing the interchange between the participants and sharing some of their trials and angst was helpful. I understand the challenge of making such a dramatic change. I decided to do this in April, but it took until August to actually acquire the mindset and personal acceptance that this was what
I wanted to do and what I was going to do.

I have been amazed at the lack of hunger or cravings that I have experienced. I drink only a fraction of the fluids that I used to. My appetite for anything but water is gone, but I have to remind myself to
drink that. I am on the road five days a week and have just started school in a degree program (at age 60) so I carry much of my food in a cooler. I eat some fruit in the morning before classes, a handful of raw nuts about mid-morning, and a giant salad for lunch. I use kale and chard and other
green or dark green lettuce, radishes, carrots, celery, grated fresh squash, frozen corn, frozen lima beans, etc. in various combinations with assorted salad dressings, avoiding the dressings that use dairy products. I stopped using insulin regularly within a few days, and completely by the end of the second week. My fasting blood sugar has generally been around 135.

Bottom line: I really appreciated being introduced to this project. I would like to understand it better. Thank you for the effort to make it available.

 
  Margaret Mastran:
 
I am overweight (5'2" and 164), 62 and on verge of diabetes (says my doctor). I went to a seminar 3 weeks ago to see about a lapascropsy (sp) where a band is put somewhere above my stomach to keep me from eating so much. For a cost of $15,000  my eating would be controlled and I would have this attachment in my body for the rest of my life. Only problem during this seminar, the people putting on the program were still a minimum of 15 pounds overweight. What was wrong with this picture?
 
The raw program is targeted for me. I watched everything offered in the films I received.  Lots of times I found myself smiling.  Everything made perfect sense.  I even did the diet for 5 days and felt a dramatic change of feeling good.  I did not feel bloated.. My joints did not ache. I want to do this the rest of my life.  I have no structure set up yet to keep myself on a shedule of raw foods. I would really appreciate a mentor of this program. I would love a food school I could attend for at least 2 weeks to figure out preparation of raw foods. I will try to find something on the internet. I made myself the collard wraps. I ate veggie salads. And, yes, they were filling.  Boy, once the sugar is cut out, the white stuff, the caffine out too,you don't have cravings. And, yes, I digested the RAW food FAST. It doesn't hang around.
 
About the films
1. The infomation was wonderful. 
2. I have a better understanding of eating greens.
3. I will watch these films again and again 'til I get it.  I need to get this information "stuck" in my brain.
 
 

Wisteria Haines:

I did watch it and I LOVED IT! Finally documentation via film on how food can heal you (or kill you). There's no arguing that a raw and vegan plant based diet can heal you. I loved that you used people from different cultural backgrounds and they all had the same results.

I eat mostly raw myself and am vegan, but I was using coffee. Since seeing the film, I've decided to further tweak my diet and cut out coffee for good. I'm 44 and watching my friends and family members falling into a spiral of medications and weight gain. I'll certainly attempt to show this film to them. I don't want to end up like them and it' not pleasant seeing how they suffer from eating animal products and refined frankenfoods.

I'd love to see a part 2 to see how these folks are doing since the film! Or even more films of the same with different ailments being healed via raw/vegan eating. Great work!

 
 

Nanette Thomas:

I did have an opportunity to watch "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days" and I loved it!

Our family doesn't suffer from diabetes so much, but we do have our fair share of other degenerative diseases. My father recently died at the ripe old age of 89. He had cardiovascular problems, aortic valve replacement, triple by-pass and abdominal aortic by-pass graph surgery. My grandfathers both died of cardiovascular disease, both my grandmothers died of complications from stroke, my mother and now her sister have had strokes, and 8 of my mother's siblings had or have been diagnosed with abdominal aneurysms. I had 3 uncles, and 4 aunts die from alcoholism, 2 committed suicide.

My mother was recently hospitalized and treated for an abdominal aneurysm She had major abdominal surgery as a result and suffers from dementia. I visit my aunts on a weekly basis, taking them to various Dr.'s offices for follow up appointments, tests and procedures.

I am reminded on a daily basis just how precious our health really is. I spend days in hospitals and clinics where people my age, younger and older, are being wheeled around in wheel chairs, gurneys,
in and out of laboratories, emergency rooms and operating rooms. Many of these folks are morbidly obese or on their way to becoming so.

When I take my aunts grocery shopping I am reminded of how we all got or are getting this way. My aunts fill up 2 grocery carts loaded with packages of miniature snickers and caramel mars bars, cartons of Edy's Root Beer Float, Heath Bar Crunch, Strawberry and Neopolitan ice creams, tins of canned peas, corn and green beans, pound bags of pork spare ribs, roast beef, turkey sausages, chicken thighs and drum sticks, bottles of chicken ala king, boston baked beans, buckets of
oatmeal, lemon drops, and chocolate chip cookies. At the bottom of one of these carts is a bunch of celery, a head of ice berg lettuce and a bag of 6 nectarines. They laugh at my green and raw cacao
smoothies and salads and flatly refuse to eat like a "rabbit." It breaks my heart.

I can't decide which is more difficult, watching the people we love fall apart from degenerative diseases, popping pills that keep them in a state of repressed denial or the knowledge that the cure is simply waiting for them 2 aisles down from where we're standing, in the produce department.

Next week my Aunt Alice Ann is being admitted for angioplasty and possible stent placement. She's 78 years old. I'll be spending a couple of days with them at that time to help out. I'll have a captive audience. They're in for a real treat! A gourmet raw dinner and a premier showing of "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days." It can't hurt - and hopefully it will help!

If a picture is worth a thousand words - you've given us the most precious of novels to share. It is a message of hope and a message of choice. Choose death by pharmaceuticals painful, difficult and so
unnecessary or choose life, easy, pleasurable and sustainable. Thank you.

 
 

Nick:
 
Yes!  I have watched the film "Simply Raw" and I enjoyed it very much.  I particularly liked the way it was filmed in the style of the "reality" shows that are so popular in this day and age.  I feel that this makes it suitable for viewing by the youth of today as well as the general public.  My own 16 year old daughter even came in and watched some it after she overheard some of the dialogue from the other room...she thought her Dad was watching "Real World" or something on MTV!
 
Now, the next trick is to get it broadcast on television or at least released in the theaters!
 
Keep up the good work!
 
-Nick Perna
 
PS - Just for your information...a good friend of mine recently went raw after watching just the TRAILER of this movie!  He said it was the most "impactful" thing he had ever seen!

 
 

Mary Thomas:

The movie is absolutely wonderful; so inspiring! Gabriel Cousens is an angel in human form, I rest my case! As a raw vegan I found the information FASCINATING. Quite an emotional ride watching the individual transformations, I felt quite outraged at the "quitter" and admired the patient who strayed off the path but came back to complete the course, albeit a little sozzled! Bravo! A living testament to what is possible by adopting a raw vegan diet. CONGRATULATIONS! Wish everyone suffering from diabetes could watch it. A veritable treat for all vegan raw fooders. Enlightening, joyful and moving.
EXCELLENT!

 
 

Annie:

Hi Alex!..... The film is 'wonderful!'..... My partner and I are raw fooders and we have ordered everything that you've put out so far.... the reason for my latest orders from you is that I buy the CDs to pass out to people that are diabetic and are interested in changing their life style to heal
themselves....... one of these people is my oldest granddaughter who is 30 and is a Down Syndrome, and has been diagnosed with Diabetes..... I sent one of my recent orders to my daughter and granddaughter because I know that it will give my granddaughter the inspiration she needs to go raw so she can heal herself.... I will keep you posted on when she starts the change over and keep you up to date on her progress.... I am also interested in finding out how a raw food life style helps developmentally challenged individuals so it should be interesting.... my partner and I have a energy healing practice and give talks about a natural, holistic way of life and loving to prepare food, give sample meals in hopes that people will come to understand how a raw food diet can change their lives...... thanks for the email, and much joy to all of you.... warm regards.

 
  Rosie:

I loved the film. I watched it straight away and I even got my parents to sit down and watch it too and they thought it was really interesting.

For me I'm trained as a nutritionist in the UK but have been over in Florida since last October. I 100% believe the way to heal yourself is through your diet, which I'm forever going on about, so it was fantastic to be able to watch the film and for my parents to see that it does work.

Not much has changed for me as it's something I already believe in but I believe it opened my parent's eyes to the fact that a diet like that can be transformational.

 
 

Carlos Martinez:

So far I thought that the documentary was simply fantastic and expire to do it with my family because my brother and my mother are diabetics. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR MAKING THAT DOCUMENTARY!!!

 
 

Kay D.:

I'm so impressed with the movie and have already started planning how I can motivate and
help my son who is diabetic, and the rest of our family who are overweight...  

 
  Kat Zuniga:

YES, I have watched the film - once by myself and once with a friend who has diabetes.  I LOVED IT!!  After I watched it, I couldn't wait for my friend to see it - I was so excited that she loved it too!!  She said she would love to eat food like they ate in the film, if she just knew how to make it.  She loves fruits and veggies but doesn't know how to prepare them.  I so wish she had been one of the participants in the program!

I can't wait to watch it again - I will probably watch it many more times.  I will definitely show it to everyone that I know who has diabetes; actually I think everyone should see it.  It's very inspiring!!  I eat a very healthy whole foods diet, but watching it has motivated me to want to do so much more to continually improve my diet and overall health, including incorporating much more raw food into my diet (I'm about 50-70% raw now).

I loved everything about the film!!  Where do I start?  I thought it was very well made and very well organized; I liked the little calendar that marked off the days.  I liked how all the participants were introduced, showing what their lives were like (and what they ate) before the program.  They cleverly showed Kirt making lasagna before and after the program - what a dramatic change in the ingredients - hehe!  I cried several times during the film (both times I watched it)...I felt their joy as their lives were literally being saved and their health transformed by the diet.  Wow, it was just absolutely amazing how quickly everyone's health completely turned around!  I loved seeing their personalities, emotions, struggles, disappointments, excitement and pure joy....it was awesome.

My friend kept asking me, "does Michelle stay?" then, "does her sugar eventually go down?"  She was so excited for her when it did.  :-)  I think she identified most with Michelle, because her sugar is always very high.

Of course, we were both very sad when Henry left, especially after his physical health had improved so drastically on the program.  My friend even commented that his cousin was very unhealthy as well and that he shouldn't leave just to return to poor health.  We both hoped he would begin to at least incorporate healthful foods into his diet, remember some of what he had learned there and keep some of the benefits he gained.  We also hoped that Austin would realize the benefits of watching his diet; it seemed like in the end he saw the big picture.

Pam was such a neat person - I loved how she had a dream to inspire others in her community (and her doctor) by introducing them to raw food.  And Kirt - how cool that he is now going to become a naturopathic physician - wow!!  I absolutely loved Bill - what a sweet, caring person.  We were both so excited for him; he changed so drastically during the program!  His skin was literally glowing by the end of the film!!  I hope he continues to make huge improvements in his health.  What great personalities the filmmakers chose for this film!

I think the movie should evolve into a primetime reality show!  Advertising dollars could provide more than just entertainment; many more lives could be changed as a result.  Of course...I'm sure there wouldn't be any pharmaceutical ads funding the show!  :-)
 
 

Lisa:

I thought the film was great. Hopefully it will get some badly needed information out in a world that needs it! I especially loved the young boy that had such an awakening at the end of the film.

The movie made me feel hopeful that things are really changing and people in general are becoming more conscious.

Keep up the good work!

 
 

Teresa Pearcey:

I loved the video!  Thanks so much for putting this out in the world.  I eat a mostly raw diet and can't believe how many people would rather be sick and take medication than enjoy good health - all for a taste sensation.  But I have to admit that the temptations are many and it was also some comfort to know that folks in danger of losing life and limb also have difficulty transitioning to raw - even when they know what is at stake.  I guess the net result for me is both feeling more committed to the raw lifestyle and more compassionate toward myself when I falter.
 
Good luck getting your message out into the mainstream.  I am sure there are many powerful food and pharmaceutical lobbies which would love to silence you.  You are doing VERY important work.  Keep it up!

 
 

Mary:

I was very impressed.  I liked that it was very direct and forthright. I have type 2 diabetes  and  insulin dependent.  It is under control but I am tired of taking insulin and I am unable to lose wieght.  A freind started on a whole food diet during his fight with colon cancer.  When I saw him I could not believe how healthy he looked, he was just rediant.  Although he did have to have some surgery, he sailed right through it and did not require additional care (as in Chemo)  and follow up tests show no cancer or cancer cells.  He, his wife and I started talking about how they were eating and what I was looking for.  They went on line and started research and found out about the film  and Dr. Cousens.  I talked it over with my doctor and I'm getting set to start on the whole food deit.  Am all ready doing some things while I wait for my jusier to arrive.  I ordered a Vita Mix.  I know this is a long answer to email but wanted fill you in.  I feel good about this and will keep you informed please continue to keep me informed.  I think both sets of DVDs are great and think this will be a new way of life.

 
 

Suzanne:

I actually purchased the DVD for my parents - my father is a diabetic. I personally have been eating a 100% raw food diet for over a year. I recently read Gabriel Cousins book on curing diabetes and thought that the film might be useful for my parents to watch as it might get my father to be
more enthusiastic about adding more live foods to his diet. I liked the film - the results were amazing. It made me very happy to see that the program had such a deep and life changing impact on the people involved in the film. My parents, unfortunately, haven't watched the film yet. Maybe soon!

Thanks for a wonderful film!

 
 

Victoria Bell:

I'd like to say thank you first of all. I was so inspired by the film. I'm a 45 yr. old type II diabetic with two young sons and tremendous stress in my life. After watching your film I realized that I'm not treating myself well and how horrible I feel most of the time eating the standard american diet that I eat.

I'm also terrified for my children to develop these lifestyle illness' we have today and I'm educating myself further on living a vegan/raw lifestyle.

Once you view the film it is really difficult to continue eating unhealthy because you know there is another positive way to eat and live.

I've sent the film to my father and mother who are also Type II diabetics and they were very inspired with the film.

One area that I'm struggling with is how to change my children's diet to a more vegetarian diet. There are not many cookbooks or information out there for children specifically. I'd love to see more information in that area.

 
 

Tahnee Woolf - Melbourne, Australia:

Hi, I thought your film was fantastic. Very inspiring. One of the characters in the film reminded me of my father, who has type 2 diabetes, eats a really typical Australian diet, and never exercises. I'm going to watch the film with my Dad and see if I can convince him to do a 30 day raw challenge with
me over summer. Fingers crossed!

 
 

Grace:

I have three daughters - one is at boarding school eating a vegan - mostly raw diet - My other two daughters aged 12 and 14 ( at home with me) watched the dvd with me and  re-watched the dvd several times.  We are motivated to eat raw at least 80%.  We are not sick or physically challenged with respect to health or weight but we want to be the best.

Interestingly (more than interesting - meant to be is more like it), your dvd came on the last Friday in August - the day after a dear friend spent all day at the hospital with her 10 year old son - he was diagnosed that Thursday with  Type One diabetes - he is rapidly losing his islet cells.  I told her about the dvd over the weekend.  She has been very busy so I have not handed her the dvd as yet.  But I will tomorrow...  she watched the trailer on UTube today and I am not sure what she thinks... this is very difficult - you know - scary - she probably just wants helpful people like me to go away and do whatever the doctor tells her because this is serious... but she will watch the dvd and we shall see...  It was very inspiring to know that Kirt (from the dvd) was a Type One diabetic as my friend's son is type one...   it is probably the only reason she is wiling to watch it... it has just been exhausting and after watching the dvd I know why... I appreciated the education provided in the dvd on diabetes so that I could be understanding with my friend...

Other thoughts:

My daughters and I thought that the dvd editing was done exceptionally well - it is one of the best  - most engaging -  documentaries that I have ever seen...

I am about 80% raw right now - and feel better than I did before I watched the dvd.

Final thoughts:

Thank you again, I appreciated the gentle kindness of the host with respect to the young chap - the 25 year old -  type one diabetic... Austin... I appreciated the professional manner and compassion shown by the doctors - Dr. Cousins and the other one - I forget her name but I really appreciated her as well...

 
 

Kathleen Jacoby:

Just wanted to let you know that I have watched the Simply Raw Movie and found it to be a riveting exploration of diet and illness. The case studies you presented were balanced and full of emotional connection to the viewer, making us want to see each person succeed. I am not a diabetic, and bought the movie to show to several friends who are. After viewing the movie, however, my husband and I are considering a raw food diet as a supplement to our normal eating habits.
 
I would recommend this movie to anyone in a body, because there are many medical issues that arise because of the foods we eat. So much of what passes for food is little more than cardboard, and the closer we come to eating natural unprocessed foods that are light filled, the sooner we will be able to heal the many disorders that are plaguing our country.
 
I plan to do a review of the movie for my BLOG newsletter, so within the next week, I'll have it on KathleenJacoby.blogs.com
 
Many thanks for presenting this very important video!