One way to get fresher and more nutritious produce is to shop locally. Not your local grocery store :), but local farms, co-ops and farmers markets if available in your area.

Here in Arizona we’re in the midst of citrus season (among other crops) and it’s easy to find plentiful oranges, grapefruits, tangerines and lemons. We recently had the opportunity to visit a friend near Phoenix that grows all the above and it was a memorable visit. Our friend informed us that he fertilizes the trees with an organic compost every season and waters regularly. We tasted most of the fruit and noticed how dramatically different it was from even the organic produce at our local co-op. Fresh off the tree taste can’t be duplicated.. just delicious! We went home with bags full of fresh fruits and have enjoyed them for weeks.

Our friend’s dogs are also vegetarian… they eat all the fruits off the trees and any other vegetable growing in the garden. The neighboring mule ‘Burrito’ also enjoys the grapefruits and oranges. It’s amazing how animals thrive eating what nature has to offer instead of man-made ‘byproducts’ and other animal products that give them ‘man-made’ diseases just like humans get. Coincidence?

Enjoying the tastes of local produce, I also found a nearby farm that is currently growing a mixture of green vegetables, including green onions, mixed greens, brocolli and assorted green lettuce. The tastes are equally fresher and it’s a pleasure to support local farms in growing sustainable, organic and fresh fruits and vegetables. With the massive proliferation of factory farming, it’s more important now than ever before to support your local farmers and keep them growing!

To find a farm or farmers market near you, visit LocalHarvest.org

To your best health!

Mark

The raw vegan diet was recently featured on E! Entertainment television interviewing raw food chefs and speakers including David Wolfe, Juliano and Gabrielle Brick among others. This video gives a good explanation of the different versions of the raw lifestyle,
Read more…

As one transitions to the raw/vegan lifestyle, the tendency to overeat fats, mostly in the form of nuts is quite common.

It’s understandable to eat large amounts of nuts when transitioning… they are more “filling” than fruits and vegetables and satisfy the hunger as your body adjusts.

In the long term, this can lead to many problems. In his book, The Raw Secrets, Frederic Patenaude describes this in detail and offers alternatives to avoid the difficulties and make the necessary adjustments. A full review of his book is coming up.

Many leading raw food proponents recommend a 80/10/10 ratio… 80% carbs, 10% protein and 10% fats.

In my experience, the urge to eat larger amounts of fat diminishes over time. Eating an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables along with seeds makes up most of your daily intake, satisfies you and lets you happily keep your intake of nuts to a minimum.

Keep it healthy and raw!

Mark
The Vegan / Raw Diet

For some time I’ve been researching the role the sun plays in our life and how it relates to our diet and health. It’s been fascinating to say the least what’s been revealed to me.

Here’s the story…

Nothing in our world could live without the sun. Can you imagine living in total and constant darkness? There would be no food, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds… any living food requires the sun to grow and mature. There would be no animals since animals need to eat the foods that grow from the sun’s energy.

And humans would most likely become extinct since we need the suns energy to live. Those that live on a raw and living foods diet get the most vitality from the sun since they’re getting it from every fruit, vegetable, nut and seed they eat. Do you notice that most of those around you that eat processed and ‘junk’ foods (the SAD diet) look less lively, are paler, normally heavier and don’t have the best attitude?

Animals require it also and get the sun’s energy in the plants, fruits, nuts and seeds they eat as well.

Do you see the importance, no, the vitality of the sun in our world?

I’ve also researched and interviewed those that ‘sun gaze’. They gaze directly at the sun (during the early sunrise or late sunset when UV rays are lower) and enrich their bodies with the sun’s energy. They’ve experienced tremendous benefits, including lowering your irritability, anger, frustration at first, then later a more peaceful approach towards living, less of a need for food (you’re getting the sun’s energy directly, rather than from the produce you eat), increased self-confidence, reduction or elimination of diseases and ailments (including depression) and much more. I have friends that sun gaze and have seen these benefits evolve over time as they increased their sun gazing. (For your reference, I strongly encourage you to visit these sites – and others – if you are interested in learning more about sun gazing and the power of the sun: www.SolarHealing.com and www.SunGazing.com)

Unfortunately most in our world today believe the sun is ‘evil’ and we need ‘protection’ from it, in the form of sunscreens and lotions. Interestingly, it’s the sunscreen and other protection systems that are actually causing many diseases and ailments since the sun provides so many benefits, staying away from it and lathering up with chemicals only enhances the level of toxins in our bodies that lead to disease.

Our bodies need the energy of the sun, the Vitamin D that only the sun can provide which has now been a proven disease fighter and can prevent 77% of all cancers, as recent scientific studies have shown in women.

Why would the establishment want to keep us away from the solution to 77% of all cancer?

One word: MONEY

You see, there is significantly less amount of money to be made from prevention. By encouraging the use of sunscreens and other ‘protection’ the medical and related industries (health care, cosmetics, lotions, pharmaceuticals, etc) are guaranteed long term profits by treating those with one form of cancer or another. We see health care and treatment costs skyrocketing every day with the increase in diseases and ailments we are experiencing as a nation. Who benefits from this?

It’s incredible to believe that this is happening to you and I, but nonetheless it’s true.

I encourage you to take responsibility for your own health, to do your own research and do what you think is right for you and your family.

The sun has incredible energy, healing energy that we can’t live without.

To your best health!

Mark

Recently, the only co-op in the Phoenix area, Gentle Strength, and a leader in locally grown, organic produce, went out of business.

Why?

Bottom line… not enough shoppers.

Sure there were probably a few other reasons, but the main one was lack of business.

It’s funny, though, everyone I talk to in the area is disappointed and saddened by the closing (as I was). However, I believe there was too much talk and not enough action.

If we want to have better, fresher, organic and locally grown choices, we have to support those organizations. Support them with our shopping dollars and with our help in letting others know about the organizations.

Personally, I’ll miss the co-op and the friends I’ve made there. They were the -only- central place to get fresh, locally grown greens and other produce. All the produce sold was organic and as much as possible was sourced locally. The only choices now are the national chains including Whole Foods and Wild Oats (now owned by Whole Foods), a few smaller chains and some traditional grocery chains that now carry some organic produce. I’m happy that they’re all carrying more organic foods, although little, if any, is locally grown. Whole Foods advertises ‘local’ although a quick walk through shows just a few locally grown out of over 200 produce items.

Alternative sources include farmers markets and visiting farms directly. I’ve found a few farms and frequent farmers markets on weekends and can find some of the same items. Although not as convenient, it’s a solution for now.

Find the local co-ops in your area and support them. It’s a fact, traditional companies will continue to market non-organic products and source all over the world unless we ‘vote’ with our dollars. Using as much locally grown organic produce not only supports your community and the environment, the food is also more nutritious and benefits your health.

We can make a difference.. just do it!

To your best health!

Mark

I’m often asked… where do you buy healthy, organic, vegan food?

That’s a good question, because many people aren’t familiar with the growing number of stores, both online and off that offer a large selection.

Here are a few of my favorites (and some recommendations from friends):

Wild Oats – www.WildOats.com
Stores in most cities throughout US. Not everything is organic or vegan, but they carry an excellent selection. Has better vegan baked goods selection than most others.

Whole Foods – www.WholeFoods.com
Stores in most cities throughout the US. Not everything is organic or vegan, but they carry an excellent selection.

Trader Joes – www.TraderJoes.com
Stores in many cities, expanding quickly. Need to look closely at labels, not all products are healthy, but they carry many healthy brand lines and low prices.

Natures First Law – RawFood.com
Large selection of raw/living foods, beauty, supplements, books, videos, events and appliances. Run by well known raw food advocate, author and speaker David Wolfe. Has low price guarantee. Staff is mostly raw.

NaturalZing – NaturalZing.com
Offers large selection of raw, vegan and organic foods, cooking supplies, personal care, and supplements. Staff is mostly raw.

Oraganic – Oraganic.com
Large selection of organic foods and sweets, vegan, raw foods, health and beauty, food bars and home and garden. Well priced, excellent customer service.

VeganEssentials – VeganEssentials.com
Large selection of vegan foods, snacks, clothes, personal care, accessories, supplements and more.

Vegan Store – VeganStore.com
Top rated veggie store with large selection of foods, clothes, personal care, gifts, accessories, pet and related products.

Many towns now have local co-ops, buying groups, farms or clubs that purchase organic foods in bulk for their members. Check your local natural or health magazines, newspapers or local organizations to find one near you or visit: Find A CSA Near You

Let me know if you have others to add, along with your experiences.

To your best health!

Mark
vegandiet.blogspot.com

Much debate normally surrounds children and eating a raw food diet.

In my research and experience, children thrive. They rarely, if ever, get sick, they have more energy, they have more control of their minds and bodies and in turn are much more well behaved, and overall are happier.

In today’s world of processed foods and junk food marketing aimed at children, it’s a bit foreign to a child that isn’t used to eating a raw food diet to eat that way. The best way I’ve found is to be a great example. Children, especially younger ones, look for direction and like to mimic their parents. If you’re eating a raw diet, they’ll slowly try what you are eating and want to learn more. Over time and trying different foods, they’ll start integrating more raw foods into their diet, as long as the foods are available and they have a consistent example… you!

Here are two videos of children explaining their experience on a raw diet. Inspiring! Enjoy.

To your best health!

Mark