Ok so I am on a bit of a focused health kick at the moment. It all started when I decided to undergo a bit of an internal body cleanse with the help of Dr Schulze’s intestinal formulas. To maximise the effect, I ate mainly vegetarian with the occasional bit of fish for a month whilst taking the intestinal formula one. Then followed it by a really strict fruit and veg only diet, for the week I took the intestinal formula two tablets.
The majority of the strict week was just juicing with a little solid raw food on the first and last day, the upshot of it all was I found a decidedly increase in energy levels. I was like a different person, gaily delving into all manner of past ignored, but much needed activities, like finally getting around to sorting out my personal admin, re-vamping my wardrobe, cleaning out the cupboards etc. It became a highly productive period for me.
Since then I have re-introduced some meat, albeit rather minimal, as I’ve discovered too much makes me sooooooooooooooo sleepy, like natural knock out drops – bit weird I know, but nevertheless, true. So I am experimenting to find the perfect balance and ratio of raw, steamed veg and protein, as every now and then I get a big craving for meat.
I totally get the importance of feeding your body with raw food, as its deemed live food, as opposed to meat which is dead, and of course I can feel a significant improvement. BUT the weather is now turning, and the thought of eating a salad when the wind and rain lash outside and the temperatures drop, is not filling me with joy and enthusiasm to continue, despite the benefits.
So I called a previous MBS workshop presenter – Saskia Fraser, a raw foodie to see what she had to say and gleam some tips and suggestions as to how to proceed.
First off, Saskia said one of the reasons people give up going raw in winter is they think they will miss hot food, but more to the point is that most people generally just don’t like cold food.
Here are some really useful tips Saskia gave me on maintaining a good raw food routine in winter.
- To avoid going from one extreme to another, just allow yourself some healthy cooked foods alongside your raw foods, look towards a 75/25 ratio of raw/cooked if possible.
- Include warm soups and sauces by introducing any liquids with half boiling water and half cold. Make sure you warm your bowl or plate with boiling water before serving.
- Eat some spelt toast if you want with your soup or food.
- Eat cooked brown rice but make a raw warm sauce (as above) to go over it rather than a cooked one.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself; just focus on the benefits that you are feeling of keeping as raw as possible.
To remind you of those benefits here are Saskia’a top 5…
- Increases energy, balances the emotions and helps with mental clarity.
- Strengthens the immune system – good in winter with all those colds about!
- Helps you attain your perfect weight naturally, whatever your size and without counting calories.
- Makes your skin radiant and clear.
- Gives you a deeper sense of peace and inner connection.
If you fancy trying raw yourself try this easy recipe from Saskia or visit her website http://www.rawfreedom.co.uk/ there is all manner of information on there to help you.
Warm Creamy Parsnip Soup
Warm Creamy Parsnip Soup (makes for 2- use organic ingredients)
250g of parsnips
2 sticks of celery
2 spring onions
1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
1 teaspoon of Himalayan salt
1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon of green chilli (optional)
2 tablespoons of coconut oil
1 pint of water made up of 1/2 boiling water, 1/2 cold water
pour boiling water into your bowl to warm before serving
Then place all the ingredients in a blender and voilà – tasty warm and creamy parsnip soup
Enjoy!
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Hi Jan, I am glad you like it and it proved helpful for you..
This is an interesting post. I, too, have abandoned the juicer because I feel the cold… . But I have a friend who only eats raw foods and just slightly warms them up in winter – I like your recommendation of combining raw and cooked foods. In Chinese medicine they don’t seem to be so, pardon the pun, ‘hot’ on raw foods, especially if we have low kidney energy and feel the cold, this, too makes sense to me.
What seems the strangest to me, is that I recently heard from a number of reputable sources that uncooked foods can transmit parasites (including worms specific to pigs!). I love raw foods, really, so there might be a question of how to wash them best. Any suggestions?
Hi Madeleine,
Thanks for you comments. I rang Saskia and asked her about raw food and parasites and what she said was generally speaking there are more parasites found in flesh foods ie fish and meat than any raw fruit and veg . That the only reason you would get parasites on veg is if they have been contaminated by being around bad water or soil that had equally been contaminated. Just to be sure though the best idea is to wash your fruit and veg thoroughly.
I think you can get a specific veggie wash if you are really concerned and your local health store could probably advise you on the different types.
I hope that helps you Madeleine
Hi Sharon,
Thank you – that is very kind of you.
).
I quite like raw food and juices, but have been advised for the reasons I mentioned to soak everything in vinegar or a vitamin C solution for 20 minutes before eating or juicing it (which is rather laborious and vinegar is not really delicious with raspberries
Well, maybe I’ll relax that routine, though it might be good for all of us when our immune system is a bit low.
Thanks again to you both.
Hi Madeleine
No problem on getting back to you. Well its probably best to go with what you have been advised especially if it is a professional and they have your individual background notes and history etc. Otherwise I guess it might be worth emailing a raw expert from their individual website if you felt it would benefit you further.
In any event good luck with everything.
Sharon
The forum is a brighter place thakns to your posts. Thanks!
Kudos to you! I hadn’t thuohgt of that!
Big help, big help. And spuerltaive news of course.
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Hello Way cool stuff, will have to try it. Just wanted to let you know, the link does not work. Can you please help? Thanks once more for putting this online. I certainly enjoyed every part of it.
Hi Meggan, thanks for the comment. I tried the link from my end and it worked so maybe it was just some weird glitch at the time.
Super excited to see more of this kind of stuff oninle.
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Today, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!