Along with a diet rich in fresh, organically grown foods, consideration should be given to the clothes you wear as well. Not only for the fact that your skin is in constant contact with your clothing, but also for the way certain fabrics are made and their impact on our environment.
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During the winter months, some on a raw diet look for warming foods. Normally after some time on the raw food diet, the want for physically heated foods diminishes for most.

For those looking to 'warm' up in the colder months, here's a list of warming foods from raw food coach Karen Knowler:
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I often get questions about whether I recommend the Hallelujah Diet (also known as the Adam and Eve Diet) since it appears to be related closely to the raw vegan diet.

First, let's define the Hallelujah Diet. Here's what the official Hallelujah Acres website at HAcres.com says about the diet:

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The raw-foods lifestyle is becoming more accepted thanks to not only the obvious health benefits, but also the press celebrities are getting when talking about their experiences. High profile chefs have also created menus and restaurants around the concept of raw foods.

A raw foods diet, basically anything that's not heated over 118 degrees, has been reported to clear your skin, reduce risks of disease, increase energy, improve moods, drop excess weight, eliminate headaches, sinus problems and heartburn, and clear your mind among other benefits.

Eating vegan and mostly raw, I've experienced all the benefits mentioned above and more. Before becoming vegan, I would regularly feel exhausted after a meal (consisting of meat, dairy or processed foods) feeling like I needed a nap, had low energy levels, mood swings, and was overweight.

Some of the benefits I noticed most were almost boundless energy, weight loss, a consistently "good feeling" and an incredibly clear and vivid "mental clarity". It's hard to explain the "clear thinking" because I didn't feel "fuzzy" before, but in comparison, there is a distinctly clear difference in being able to focus with a clear mind.

I now taste the difference between fresh, organic foods and regular produce easily (organic tastes fresher, live and much better) and am able to notice the negative impacts of processed foods, meat, dairy, additives and preservatives clearly. I feel blessed to rarely get sick, don't worry about my weight, rarely get tired and have seen improvements in almost every area of my life.

Now over 12 years into my vegan lifestyle, to say I feel great is an understatement! A true blessing.

Read more at: In the Raw - Newsweek Health Beat - MSNBC.com

BTW, the article above quotes some research that indicates vegans may have low bone denisty and a nutritionist that believes the USDA food guidelines are sufficient. As well meaning as that may be, the research doesn't support those assertions. The study they refer to indicated that vegans has a lower bone density because they are lighter and consume less calories, not that they have risks of osteoperosis. In fact, the study mentions they will follow the subjects in the study to see if those risks develop. Also, USDA guidelines in the past have lead to our current health crisis and to say they are sufficient is careless and not founded in fact, in my opinion. Follow the links here in previous posts for more details. Of course, research well and make informed decisions.

What are your experiences?

To your best health!

Mark
http://vegandiet.blogspot.com

Here's a brilliant example of what happens when you've been eating healthy, choosing a vegan raw lifestyle and then decide to eat 'normal', like most of America does.

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A truly inspiring video of an interview with long term raw vegan Storm Talifero and his brother Mike Talifero who recovered from cancer by switching his eating habits to a completely raw vegan diet. What you'll find interesting
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Those that eat legumes live longest reports a study by the National Aging Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia.

"There is a 7% - 8% reduction in mortality hazard ratio for every 20g increase in daily legume intake"

The study showed that legume consumption is the most protective dietary predictor of survival regardless of their ethnicity.

Legumes have long been associated with good health, and are a staple among vegetarians and vegans. Legumes include soy, tofu, natto, miso, brown beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, white beans among others.

Read more of the study at PubMed.

To your best health!

Mark
http://vegandiet.blogspot.com