Why Raw?

Whether this is the first raw food website you've visited, or you've been checking out raw websites and/or raw cuisine for awhile now - the question always comes up: Why raw?

I eat raw because I feel better. After years of being a carnivore, one week on raw changed my entire life. I sleep better, I feel awake and refreshed when I get up in the morning, people have stopped telling me I looked tired, and in 14 months, I lost 57 pounds. I did that without 'trying' - no food plan or exercise plan. I just switched to raw, and the pounds melted off. I struggled with my weight for decades, and I don't struggle with it anymore. I've also stopped taking thyroid medicine and my 'numbers' are in a healthy range. That's 'why raw' for me.

The theory is that when we eat "closer to the earth", there are a great many benefits. Here are some of the ones I've uncovered:

Raw vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds taste better! If you've ever enjoyed a piece of summer fruit, like a peach, in season, you know what I mean.
You don't have to cover your raw food with sweeteners, heavy sauces and dressings to have flavor. Salads really are good without dressing!
You can eat more! When I eat at least 8 cups of raw veggies in a day, I can pretty much eat anything else I want.
Raw food is full of water. It's a great way to stay hydrated.
Raw food is full of REAL vitamins and minerals. If you eat a wide variety of raw foods, you'll get the nutrition you need from your food. Cooking destroys a vast majority of the vitamins and minerals in food, creating the need for more and more supplements.
The enzymes that are in the food that help us digest it are available for use by the body. They haven't been destroyed by heat. When your raw food is digested with those enzymes working, your body has energy to do other things!
There's much less impact on the planet. When you peel and eat an avocado, that peel can be composted.
Then there's the organic factor - Organic food has been noted to have as much as 300% the nutrients in it than food that is not organic. That's a huge plus!

Many others have spent years researching the raw factor. I recommend you read everything you can get your hands on and EAT RAW!

Disclaimer: Raw foods have different effects on different people. Be sure to do plenty of research before embarking on a raw food cleanse or diet, listen to your own body when trying out any new foods, and consult with a qualified health professional if you have any questions.

Huuraw for Patti and her raw food! I know I need to eat lots of vegetables every day. However, all that shopping, chopping and eating the same ones every week was getting me down. Then I was introduced to Thrivin' Edibles. The dishes Patti delivers to my door are beautiful to look at and a treat to eat. It's a mystery how she does it but I'm not investigating, just enjoying!

—Cheryl Buck