Why Living Raw Vegan Foods?

I get this question a lot already. First of all, the way I feel eating more live raw foods is SO much different. When I eat meat, or even just cooked foods now, I feel bloated, sluggish, and at times, really ill. I really don't need any other reason to eat raw. However, I will give some.

If you are what you eat, I really don't want to be a gooey, doughy pizza. Or processed food. Or a dead animal. I'd rather be alive, fresh, and, um, crisp.

Where do you get protein? Many people think you have to consume animal products or soy animal-imitator products to get your protein. The truth is, your body forms protein from amino acids. The protein found in animals is in a different order than the protein your body needs. If you eat a steak or chicken, your body must work hard to disassemble the protein into the essential amino acids. Then it works to put those building blocks back together to form the type of protein human bodies need. If you eat plants and living raw foods, they contain amino acids. Your body can take the amino acids and, like building blocks, put them in the order it needs to form protein - a lot less work! Fruits and vegetables (especially dark, green leafy vegetables) have high concentrates of amino acids.

When you eat cooked foods, your body sends out white blood cells to attack it - just like it does when you have a cold or a virus. No wonder people feel so bad after a big, heavy, cooked meal!

There is less waste when eating raw. I don't have cardboard or plastic containers to throw away. Most of the waste can be composted.

I can grow a lot of my own food when eating raw. When I get my garden in better order, I hope to grow about 70% of my own food for more than half of the year. The savings on groceries will be phenomenal!

Speaking of groceries, I can buy a lot of veggies for the same amount of money I would have spent on steak or chicken.

I don't have to worry about allergies or health concerns. Many people are allergic to wheat, dairy, MSG, and all sorts of processed things. There are very few things that cause issues on a raw diet. People who do have allergies (I know people who are allergic to nuts, tomatoes, and cilantro) have an easy time deciding what to eat, as they know exactly what is in their food. Many people who are on a gluten-free, soy-free, wheat-free, dairy-free, or diabetic diet will have no trouble on a raw food plan.

I don't have to learn how to pronounce things like ethoxylated mono- and diglycerides sodium stearoyl lactylate, or carrageenan. All I know is I certainly don't want that type of stuff going into my body. I also tend to stay away from flour, sugar, and butter. When I give people my Coconut Banana Cream Pie, they always ask, "But what's in it?" Here's the answer: almonds, bananas, coconut (whole and shredded), Medjool dates, and a teaspoon of vanilla. That's it. (I'll put the recipe on here another day).

There are no artificial anything, so sweeteners (except for the dates), no colors, no chemicals. Just real food. People are dying for real food. Literally. Most people in the US are at least a little overweight, and obesity has become a world-wide epidemic. Yet most people aren't getting the basic nutrients they need. They are literally starving to death. When I give someone raw food I have made, they almost always eat it right up and ask tons of questions about it. They can't believe how good it tastes - or how good they feel. We can all eat these great, healthy dishes all the time. You won't believe how much better you'll feel. I didn't at first.

That's why I eat Living Raw Vegan foods.