High Vibe

The Benefits of Eating Raw Foods

For the curious. Old and New.

Raw foods and raw recipes are becoming increasingly popular as more people discover the tremendous benefits of eating raw foods. In addition to the increased vitamins, minerals, and enzymes provided by all natural raw foods, many studies are showing that raw foods may help people lose weight, avoid diseases, and slow down the aging process. 

Everyone has heard of the battle against hidden sugar such as high fructose corn syrup and the unhealthy fats in processed foods. Raw foods are one area of nutrition where you will never have to worry about those harmful fats or hidden sugars again. Raw foods contain nothing harmful and instead are all natural and necessary to good health. Because raw foods are so easily digested most people can switch from eating only cooked foods, to eating mainly raw foods with no problems. Most people that eat all or mostly raw foods report that when they go back to their old way of eating the same old issues such as digestive problems and fatigue return.

Raw foods provide the tools your body needs to produce useable energy. This means you have more energy to keep up with your life and increased vitality to enjoy your activities. The most exciting benefit of eating raw foods is the healing that results. People have not only lost weight but also got rid of allergies that are caused by food sensitivities, which were difficult to pinpoint when eating only cooked food. Diabetics may find that their disease is much more manageable when eating raw foods only. Whole organic raw foods can aid those with heart problems immensely. People with high cholesterol, heart disease and other heart issues can give their body precious resources to begin the healing process. The number one benefit of raw foods is the high intake of fiber. Fiber aids digestion, the immune system and can improve overall health. Also, raw foods can slow the appearance of aging on the skin and give the skin a smoother, healthier appearance.

Some of the benefits are immediate, like increased energy, relief from constipation and other digestive troubles. While other benefits take a while to show up, but can lead to long lasting changes in health, such as a boosted immune system and younger looking skin. If you are thinking about exploring raw foods and raw recipes you can start by simply adding more raw fruits and vegetables along with raw sprouts to your daily diet. From there try to incorporate a couple of raw food meals into your diet weekly that include raw legumes and grains too. You likely will enjoy the change of pace and feel a little extra energy. Even if this is as far as you go it is still a step in the right direction for your health and overall longevity. Most likely, you will love the change in how you feel and want to eat more raw foods.

Another benefit of raw foods that most people do not realize is that the change in eating habits can help decrease your grocery bill. When you focus on eating raw foods you tend to seek farming co-ops and farmers markets you never heard of before, where your fruit and vegetables are much cheaper. There is a whole community of raw foods enthusiasts online and in most every state that can offer helpful advice on getting started. The Internet is a great resource for finding the most delicious raw recipes, from salads, appetizers and entrees to desserts and snacks. Try it! 

Chlorella and Spirulina Info

Both chlorella and spirulina are microscopic plants that grow in fresh water. They're actually called micro-algae, since they are microscopic forms of algae. (For those sticklers out there, I'm using the term "algae" to mean both "alga" and "algae" throughout this report, ignoring the proper conventions for this term.) And they've been around for quite some time: a few billion years, actually. These are some of the earliest and simplest life forms on the planet, appearing way before animals roamed these lands.

These micro-algae contain an astounding array of nutritional elements: vitamins, macrominerals, trace minerals, essential fatty acids, protein, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), chlorophyll, and a vast spectrum of phytochemicals. They are thought to contain every nutrient required by the human body. Yes, you could literally live off these micro-algae. You wouldn't need to eat much, either, since they are so nutritionally dense.

The "micro" part of their name is no joke: these superfoods range in size from 2 to 8 microns, which is about the same size as a human blood cell. They appear green due to their chlorophyll content. Harvesting them requires special centrifuge equipment, which is one reason why individuals don't grow their own micro-algae for consumption. You have to get it from commercial processors who grow these superfoods in vast water farms located in regions of the world where the climate permits (the closer to the equator, the better, since there's more sunlight).

 

Here is the general analysis of pure Spirulina Algae:

 

Protein: 55%- 70%

Carbohydrates: 15% - 25% (an excellent low ratio for fish)

Fats (lipids): 6% - 8%

Minerals: 6 -13%

Fiber: 8% - 10%

 

Natural Pigment Enhancers:

 

Phycocyanin (Blue): 14%

Chlorophyll (Green): 1%

Carotenoids (

Orange

/ Red): 47%

 

Important Trace Minerals (many of these are essential for proper electrolyte balance and osmotic function):

 

Calcium (1,315 mg/kg), Iron, Phosphorus (15,400 mg/kg), Iodine, Magnesium, Zinc, Selenium, Copper, Manganese, Chromium, Molybdenum, Sodium, Chloride, Potassium, Germanium, Boron.

 

Essential Amino Acids:

 

• ISOLEUCINE (4.130/o): Required for optimal growth, nitrogen equilibrium in the body Used to synthesize other non-essential amino acids.

• LEUCINE (5.8001o): increases muscular energy levels.

• LYSINE (4.000/o): Building block of blood antibodies, strengthens circulatory system and maintains normal growth of cells.

• METHIONINE (2.170/o): Vital lipotropic (fat and lipid metabolizing) amino acid that maintains liver health. An anti-stress factor.

• PHENYLALANINE (3.950/o): Stimulates metabolic rate.

• THREONINE (4.170/o): Improves intestinal competence and digestive assimilation.

• TRYPTOPHANE (1.1301o): Increases utilization of B vitamins, improves nerve health.

• VALINE (6.0001o): Stimulates muscle coordination.

 Suggested Chlorella from HighVibe.com

Raw Chocolate 101 and Recipe

Raw Chocolate 101 By Bob Dagger

Raw Cacao

Unprocessed Cocoa

 

Q.) What is Raw Cacao?

 

A.)Raw Cacao comes from the Theobroma Cacao Tree that grows Large Fruit Pods, which house what look like almond sized coffee beans that are Cacao Beans.

 

Q.)What is the difference between Raw Cacao and Cocoa?

 

A.) Cocoa is the term coined for the post-processed Cacao Bean. Alkaloids and other substances are added to the Raw Cacao Beans, and heat is used to process them into the powder we call cocoa powder. Unfortunately this process eliminates most of the nutritious properties, which are inherent to Cacao in its natural form. Therefore Cacao is the title for the Raw and unprocessed chocolate –cacao” Bean that comes straight from the pod in the tree!

 

Q.) What forms does it come in?

 

A.) In comes in whole beans, crushed up –NIBS”, Cacao Butter, and Cacao Powder, which is non-alkalized and has no additives.

 

Q.) What do I do with it?

 

A.) The possibilities are endless! You can eat the beans or nibs whole, straight from a spoon, with raw honey or raw agave cactus nectar on a spoon, put them in shakes, drinks, soups, make candy from the butter, add the butter to smoothies, add the powder to smoothies, freeze or refrigerate it in ice cube trays with other ingredients to make candy, make raw ice cream, make your favorite desserts, add it to trail mixes and the list goes on and on.

 

Q.) What are some of the health benefits of eating cacao in its unprocessed from?

 

A.) It is extremely high in antioxidants, and is also known as an aphrodisiac! Cacao is a superfood, and contains an exorbitant amount of minerals, essential and fatty acids; polyphenolês (anti-oxidants), there are tocos or tocotrienols (Vitamin E, antioxidants) in the cacao butter and a massive list more of components that can be found in cacao and its many forms.

* Cornell University food scientists say that cocoa has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times those found in green tea. With Raw Cacao Powder, it would be 14 times more than Red Wine and 21 times more than Green Tea!

 

 

* In trials, doctors at Harvard found that Antioxidant compounds called Flavonols  in chocolate help the body to produce nitric oxide, a compound essential for proper heart function. (Nitric oxide is also believed by pro bodybuilders to help increase muscularity.) Again, with Raw Cacao Powder, this effect could easily be multiplied.

* The amino acid Tryptophan is found naturally in cacao. Tryptophan enhances relaxation and promotes better sleep.

 

* Researchers have discovered that phenylethylamine (PEA) has a positive effect in enhancing feelings of love. Now you can love at least 33% more with Raw Cacao Powder!

 

 

* Raw Cacao Powder has at least 33% more Arginine, the aphrodisiac-like amino acid believed by body builders to build muscle and aid in recovery.

 

 

Chocolate Nut-Milk Recipe

 

1 liter (4 cups) of coconut water

20 cacao beans (peeled)

3-5 tablespoons of carob powder and/or maca powder (maca is a powdered root from Peru that is an amazing high-protein superfood aphrodisiac, strengthener, and fertility enhancer)

3-5 tablespoons of raw honey and/or agave cactus nectar

2 tablespoons of hempseed oil

2 tablespoons of coconut oil/butter

2-3 pinches of sea salt (preferably Celtic sea salt or Himalayan pink rock salt)

2-3 sprinkles of cinnamon

 

Blend all ingredients, drink, and arrive back on Earth in about 2 hours!

Highvibe.com and High Vibe retail has all ingredients and many more recipe ideas! H V also has many Raw chocolate bars!