Radiant on Raw Blog: Raw and Living Foods, Holistic Health, Latest News and Reviews

Are You Living Your Life Purpose?

When you woke up this morning, what was your first feeling? Did you wake up happy? Impatient to begin a new day doing what you are passionate about?

Or did you wake up tired, dreading yet another day at the office doing something that doesn’t excite you?  Do you feel like your life is just one big blur of unmemorable days?

Let’s face it: most of us merely exist, doing the same stuff day in and out, allowing life pass us by as if it wasn’t meant for us.  Our lives are routine and we are not conscious of why we are doing the things we are doing. We stuff ourselves with dead food so we wouldn’t feel anything. We watch mindless television so we wouldn’t have time to think about the emptiness of our lives. 

We’ve all heard this saying: “Life is hard and then you die.” This truly summarizes how many view their life on this planet.

I used to be that way. I dreaded Mondays; Fridays were celebrated because the weekend was near. Weekends were always too short. My corporate job was monotonous: faxes, emails, files, meetings, favoritism, backbiting and office politics—I was sick of it all. Most of the time I was feeling depressed and unfulfilled.  I felt like my life was worthless and useless.

But I refused to give up. I knew there was a reason why I came into this life, a purpose bigger than just “having a job”.  But how do I find my Life Purpose?

I tried different books, courses, tests – but nothing was giving me the answer. Until one day the Universe answered my prayer.  I came across the name of Beth Davis, The Hand Analyst.

At first, I was skeptical to say the least. I knew of Palmistry and how ancient the study of hands was, but I couldn’t see how having my hand analyzed would change my life. It was also quite expensive.  And still I was curious.

I asked myself: “What would my life be like if I knew EXACTLY what I am here to do? How different my life would be if every day I were fulfilling my destiny? And how much would it be worth to me to know my Life Purpose?”

I knew I didn’t want to live a monotonous, passionless, meaningless life anymore so I took a leap of faith and booked my session with Beth.

What Beth had to tell me blew my socks off. When she showed me my Life Purpose, I could not believe what I was hearing because it was so grand, so powerful, so amazing. My first reaction was complete and utter disbelief. But then I realized that I was so used to playing small, so accustomed to feeling my life had to meaning, that having a big vision for myself was just a brand new experience.

Furthermore, Beth showed me my talents (things I was so good at when I was younger but later forgot), what kind of business I am best suited for, my life lesson (challenge that shows up in my life to propel me forward), how to bring my Life Purpose into the light. I cried, I laughed, and I felt humbled. Through Beth, the Universe showed me the way and it was magical.

Today my life is nothing like it used to be. Although I am not yet living my Life Purpose fully (it does take time to fully realize it but I’m working on it), but I have a clear understanding where I am going from here, how I want my life to unfold, and I have tools to reach my goals now.

Beth changed my life. Discovering my Life Purpose truly was my first step to starting living a life of purpose and passion. My life is very precious to me now and so is my time. Of course knowing and living my passion is an ongoing process but it’s a journey I am happy to embrace. And I am grateful that I found my answers now and not 20 years down the road.

I wish everyone could experience a hand analysis session with Beth – it’s mind-blowing and guaranteed to change anyone’s life. For me, this is the best investment I have ever made, and I invested in myself. Personally, I think nothing is more important than knowing why we are here, why we were born in this time, this place, with these looks or these talents.  Unfortunately, most of us pass our lives without ever discovering our purpose.

Because of such valuable service, Beth Davis is in high demand and her personal fees are not for everyone.  However, because Beth is so passionate about what she does (and she discovered her Life Purpose through hand analysis as well) she created a self-study course “How to Read Your Own Hands” that is affordable and will help you discover your Life Purpose on your own.

Imagine the world where everyone knew exactly what they are here to do. Imagine everyone on Earth living with passion, meaning, and purpose. What would our world be like if this were true?

I think we would have Heave on Earth.  What do you think? How would your life be different if you were living your Life Purpose?

Food Irradiation - Is FDA Really Protecting Us?

Recent approval by the government (FDA) will allow food producers/processors to use radiation for the first time to kill bacteria in spinach and iceberg lettuce.  The radiation process will zap the lettuce to kill off E. coli, salmonella, and other harmful germs to help decrease or eliminate the likelihood of ingesting potentially, life-threatening contaminated food.

FDA announced that “irradiation will not have an adverse effect” on the nutritional makeup of food.

However, according to New York Times’s article “F.D.A. Allows Irradiation of Some Produce”, “Critics say that not only does radiation make food less nutritious and potentially toxic but that the process also does not eliminate the risks of food-borne illnesses. An analysis by the Centers for Science in the Public Interest found that most outbreaks of illnesses associated with salad are caused by viruses, which are not affected by the doses of radiation approved by the F.D.A.” (August 21, 2008).

Chicago Tribune reports that, "the FDA's latest irradiation decision on lettuce and spinach comes in response to the 2006 outbreak of E. coli from spinach grown in California. An FDA investigation found that the likely source of that contamination was the proximity of cattle operations to fields of produce, and the likelihood that cattle feces tainted the local water supply.

E. coli is a bacteria tolerated by cattle and found in their feces. It has been a big problem for the meat industry during the past year, triggering numerous recalls." (August 25, 2008).

Hmm, so instead of going to the meat and dairy industry, who are the REAL problem, FDA, who is basically run by the Pharma and meat industries, goes after vegetables?!

But wait, it gets better. As stated at the FDA's own website: “Irradiation labeling requirements apply only to foods sold in stores. For example, irradiated spices or fresh strawberries should be labeled. When used as ingredients in other foods, however, the label of the other food does not need to describe these ingredients as irradiated. Irradiation labeling also does not apply to restaurant foods.”

Mike Adams of Natural News, who is known as Health Ranger, wrote two thought-provoking articles on this matter.

Here’s what Mike Adams has to say about it: “The FDA does not want consumers to realize their foods are being irradiated. Consumer awareness is considered undesirable by the FDA; an agency that also works hard to censor truthful statements about nutritional supplements and functional foods. Accordingly, the FDA pursues a policy of enforced ignorance of consumers regarding irradiated foods, nutritional supplements, medicinal herbs and all sorts of natural substances. It is currently illegal in the United States to state that cherries help ease arthritis inflammation if you are selling cherries. (http://www.naturalnews.com/019366.html)

To read more please go to Natural News Website and while you there please sign up for his newsletter – Mike Adams bring you cutting edge health news and he is not afraid to speak the truth.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but I completely agree with Mike when he brings up the following valuable point:

“Destroy the food and mislead the People. And then wait for the windfall of profits at Big Pharma as the People degenerate into a mass of diseased, disoriented and desperate health patients. It's business as usual at the FDA.

Of course, the FDA says the irradiated food isn't altered by the radiation. This statement is an insult to the intelligence of anyone with a pulse. Why? Because if the radiation doesn't alter anything, then how can it kill e.coli and salmonella?

The whole point of the radiation is to kill living organisms. And it works by causing fatal damage to the tissues and DNA of those microorganisms. So guess what it does to the plants? Since radiation isn't selective, it also irradiates the plant fibers and tissues, causing DNA damage and the destruction of enzymes and phytochemicals.

Amazingly, the FDA claims this does not count as "altering" the food because these changes aren't visible.“

In addition, food that is irradiated will be required to be labeled with a Radura symbol, as seen at the beginning of this post, but who knows what that little green flower means? Or where to look for it? Doesn’t it look so nice and green and happy?

Personally, I think it’s outrageous that the government has so much control over our food and that it obviously abuses it. Food irradiation, GMOs, chemical spraying – I don’t know about you, but I feel like we all are the guinea pigs in the middle of a mass human experiment.

You be the judge, how do you feel about this?

Can Raw Foods Turn You into a Sun Worshipper?

I heard many raw foodists say this before but I was skeptical until yesterday.

I couldn’t believe this was possible…

They say when you switch to the raw food diet, sunburns become less of a problem and often become a thing of the past!

For me, this was incredible. I am naturally very pale (Morticia Adams pale) and for as long as I can remember I couldn’t spend more than 5 minutes in the sun without getting burnt quite badly.

Since I am not a huge fan on putting chemicals on my skin, I avoid using sunblocks as much as possible.  Of course I couldn’t do this during vacations or beach trips with friends, so on such occasions I would use a sunblock, but alas, I would still burn!

However, things may be changing for me now.

Having been a raw foodist for over two years now and having developed a habit of eating lots of green leafy vegetables every day I never thought the day would come when my skin would withstand the scorching rays of sun.

Until yesterday.

My husband and I went kayaking down the Delaware Water Gap. We took the longest trip, 12 miles and the sun was up and out in full force.  I put a little bit of sunblock on my shoulders but that was as far as I went in sun protection (well, plus a hat).  I decided to see if my skin got better from eating the raw food diet. Risky, I know!

Here’s a bit of science for you.  According to Harvard Medical School research, Lutein, the antioxidant found in dark green, leafy vegetables, protects the skin against some of the damaging effects of the sun.

"Lutein has been widely recognised for its eye health benefits for several years. But our data is the first of its kind to suggest that lutein may have the potential to act as a preventative agent against UVB-induced skin cancer," said Salvador Gonzalez, leader of the research team.

Lutein is naturally present in the eyes, lungs and skin, and in women in the breasts and cervix. The body obtains lutein predominantly through consumption of dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale. Over time, as lutein performs its antioxidant function, it is depleted and must be replenished in the body.

Two studies have found that the oral consumption of carotenoids from tomatoes such as lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene helps to maintain healthy skin by protecting it against the damage induced by UV rays. It has been shown that this nutrient decreases reddening of the skin.

Ok, now, I am not going to say that I didn’t get any sunburn at all. I did, but it was minimal: my left shin and my chest got burnt (but it’s not hurting today at all and the redness is noticeably less), and I got some redness between my knuckles. My arms, my back, and my legs, however, were completely unharmed, even after 6 hours under the sun! When I came ashore, I could hear angels sing!

I totally contribute this miracle to my raw food lifestyle.  One look at my husband (not raw) could verify this theory – poor guy is lobster red and hurting all over.

It is a known fact that we need about 20 minutes of sun exposure daily for our body to develop vitamin D.  However, this no longer needs to result in unpleasant sunburns and painful experience afterwards. In addition, sunburns accelerate the skin aging, cause sunspots, and increase the probability of getting skin cancer. No, thank you!

If you want to protect your skin without missing out on the sun, eat lots of green leafy vegetables daily and eat fruit and vegetables high in lycopene including tomatoes, watermelon, red bell pepper, and pink grapefruit. With time you’ll be able to get the best of both worlds: enough sun for your health and healthy skin that can protect itself.

Guide to Self-Care – Supportive Environment

When I first went raw I didn’t know a single soul who was into this lifestyle. My family members thought I was putting my health in danger, my co-workers proclaimed me weird, I felt isolated at friends’ parties, so although I felt all the benefits of eating this way I ended up going back to cooked foods quite often.

It wasn’t until I establish a solid circle of support for myself that I was able to maintain the level of rawness I am at now.

So what are the ways of creating supportive environment for yourself that will nurture you and help you stay raw and enjoy this way of life?

Educate yourself. Read books and magazines dedicated to raw foods, attend lectures and raw food demo classes, go online – there are thousands of website that write about raw foods. The more you know, the more confident you will be in your choice and the easier it will be for you to explain why it is that you decided to go raw.  If you do not know answers to simple questions like “Where do you get your protein?” or “Don’t you need to drink milk for calcium?” it will be very easy for someone to plant a seed of doubt in your mind.

Know why you do it. Of course most of us start eating raw because we have some health challenge to overcome, but when we get rid of it, what’s next? When you are cured, do you go back to eating the old way? If you don’t create a new vision for yourself, a bigger goal, you are opening yourself up to failure.  So what would that big goal be for you?

Always be prepared.  Discover the value of menu planning on your raw food journey.  Personally, I can’t plan a whole week ahead because my moods change, but I know at least 2-3 days ahead what I would like to eat.  Why is that important? When you know what you plan on eating, you create a shopping list, go out and buy all the necessary produce. That way you never face a situation when you open a fridge and an empty shelf is staring back at you, or worse, a Chinese takeout carton (for example).

Do You Eat According to Seasons?

From Radiant on Raw eZine issue 5:

For centuries, the human kind followed a diet of seasons.  Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature eating fruit, vegetables, berries, nuts, and herbs that grew locally, harvesting them and then storing them for winter.  However, industrial and agricultural boom made it possible for us to have foods from all over the world at all times of the year. But is it really a good thing?

Save Nutrients, Flavor, and Environment

Mangoes, durian, young coconut, passion fruit - we can find almost any exotic fruit in our supermarkets these days.  They are fun to eat, but they are not typical to our environment.  To come to our table these crops were transported over thousands of miles and were harvested early and refrigerated so they wouldn't rot during transportation. As a result, these exotic foods very often they do not ripen as effectively as they would in their natural environment and lack vitamins and minerals.

Foods that are chilled and shipped also lose flavor at every step of the way - chilling cuts their flavor, transporting cuts their flavor, being held in warehouses cuts their flavor. It will be very challenging to remain a raw foodist if you eat flavorless fruit and vegetables and if your dishes taste like carton!

Transporting fruit and vegetables from other countries also takes its toll on the environment.  Pollution from planes and long-hall trucks is undeniable so by eating locally we are significantly lowering our environmental footprint.

Easting in Season - Herbs

We’ve certainly been enjoying abundance of fruit and vegetables this summer, but let’s not forget that herbs are also in season and are widely available at farmers’ markets.

So here are some “heavy weights” in the world of herbs:

Cilantro

Cilantro truly is nature's superfood (not those bottled, expensive ones). Also known as a Chinese parsley, it contains iron, magnesium, and the manganese, a trace mineral used by our bodies for detoxification.

It has been shown to help the body eliminate heavy metals, including mercury. The heavy metals are dangerous to a human body but unfortunately we get them on a regular basis - through our tap water, food we consume, and products we use on our body. The heavy metals interfere with our thyroid function and metabolic enzymes and also cause a lot of radical damage.

Parsley

It is rich in chlorophyll and iron, which builds blood, beta-carotene, it contains three times more vitamin C than citrus; parsley is a great source of vitamin A, calcium, sodium, and magnesium.

According to Chinese medicine, parsley can be used to detoxify meat and fish poisonings – in general, people who eat animal flesh would be wise to eat parsley with it (in salad or by itself).

Parsley is an excellent remedy for arthritis, edema, nearly all kidney and urinary difficulties, kidney, bladder and gall bladder stones, and swollen glands. Parsley counteracts poor digestions and is beneficial for obesity. Parsney tea strengthens the teeth and can also be used as facial lotion.

A word of caution: breastfeeding mothers should not eat parsley because it dries up milk.

Thyme

Thyme is pungent, mildly bitter, warm, and drying. It is a powerful antiseptic with activity against bacteria, fungi, molds, and parasites. Thyme is excellent for treating respiratory infections, colds, and coughs.

Thyme tea is best taken before meals to stimulate gastric secretions.  To make a tea, use two teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water and steep for ten minutes. The Food and Drug Administration includes thyme on its list of herbs generally regarded as safe, but if you experience diarrhea or bloating, cut back on the amount you're using. A stronger tea is useful as a mouthwash or rinse to treat sore gums.

Basil

Basil is pungent, warm and dry. Using basil in food benefits the lungs, spleen, stomach, and large intestines. It helps improve digestion and circulation. It is used to treat colds, coughs, headache, and nausea. In Chinese medicine, basil is used for calming the mind, along with dill.

Of course there are many more herbs available to us. My raw food coach challenge to you to go to a local farmers’ market or a supermarket and discover a new herb you’ve never tried before and taste it.  The raw food diet will never be boring if you open your mind and be open to exploration of new possibilities!

Raw Food for Beginners Class

Past Saturday I taught my first ever Raw Food for Beginners class.  Created and taught by Karen Knowler (UK), this was the first time this class has been taught in the US.

Having experienced this class first hand during my raw food coach training, I knew it was very informative and full of fantastic recipes. However, what I didn't realize is how much fun I would have teaching it.

Of course teaching this class is no easy task. First, it takes a lot of time to get ready for it - administrative stuff, purchasing food (and since all of it is raw and organic it was hard to find everything in one place so I spent one day just doing shopping), plus at least half a day to dehydrate pizza, flax crackers, and mushrooms for the class. Then the class itself is 6.5 hours long - frankly, I think it's the longest raw food class you can find. Most raw food demo classes are 2-4 hours, so Raw Food for Beginners is really quite an event.

And yet, I couldn't be happier teaching it. It was amazing to see how people soak up the information, how many questions I got asked, the reactions my students had to food (especially deserts, they were a huge success!), and the feedback I got after the class.

Here are some comments:

"Alina makes the raw experience very tangible. She has helped me become committed to raw foods as a lifestyle again. Thank you!"  Amy Chou, student, New York

"Alina, you covered a lot. I was really satisfied with all the answers to my questions. I never thought raw food could be so zesty and diverse. This class opened my eyes to healthier choices and there are so many! I thank you for sharing your knowledge with us."  Chenay I., RN, Brooklyn

"I was really impressed how delicious all the food was. The meals were done exceptionally well and I did not get tired of tasting everything.  I would recommend this class to my friends who are interested in healthier lifestyle. Alina is a great source of information and a wonderful example".  Maksim R., RN, Staten Island

What really impressed me is that one of my students, Amy, came from upstate NY and she drove 2 hours just to get to the class - now that's commitment!

A friend who came to support me and couldn't stay for more than 2 hours due to heavy workload, ended up staying for the entire time. She said that she was having so much fun and the food was so amazing no work was worth missing it!  That is the best compliment!

By the end of the class I could feel my energy pumping and I was feeling energized, happy, and blessed for being able to share my knowledge and help others renew their commitment to the raw food diet and learn easy ways to diversify their menus.

Here are some pictures from the class:

 

I hope to teach this class again in the near future, hopefully late September or early October. So if you are in the New York City area, I would be delighted to share this amazing class with you. Just send me a quick e-mail and I will keep you posted on upcoming dates.

To Your Radiant Health!

Peaches for Peachy Skin

Since peaches are in season, here are a few simple masks that any woman can do.

For sensitive skin:  peel and pit one medium size ripe peach and mash it well. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil (cold pressed). Spread it on your face and lie down and relax. Keep the mask on your skin for 15 minutes and then wash with warm water.

For normal skin:  peel and pit one peach and mash it well. Add 1 teaspoon of warm honey, mix it up, and put on your face. Leave it on for 20-25 minutes and then wash off with warm water.

For dry skin:  mash one peace really well, put on your skin, and wash off after 20 minutes. How simple is that? 

And if you want to improve your skin color, refresh and add more elasticity to your skin, just wipe your face with a cotton ball soaked in peach juice (freshly squeezed of course).

What woman doesn’t want to look beautiful, youthful, and radiant? The secret is it doesn’t take tremendous effort or thousands of dollars, just some maintenance and commitment to yourself.

I hope you enjoy my little tips and if you want to hear more or have a specific question in mind, just drop me a line.

To Your Radiant Beauty!

Raw Food for Beginners Class - Are You Coming?

I can't stop smiling and feeling excited - my Raw Food for Beginners class is just a couple of days away!

Little wheat berries are already showing signs of little sprouts coming out (I will use them to make a delicious pizza and will also demonstrate how easy it is to sprout). A huge box of raw organic nuts has just been delivered to my door (on time for scrumptious mushroom pate, nut mylk, raw meusli, and nut loaf). I am happily humming away getting everything ready for a fun day.

This is such a terrific class, I cannot wait to share it with everyone who signed up for it. 

So if you are ready to:

* explore the raw food diet or get back on track

* taste a wide selection of easy, delicious, and quick recipes

* want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your life

* want to meet new people and make new friends

* want to spend a day having fun, learning, and eating great food

then register for Raw Food for Beginners class right now!

All the ingredients I use are raw and organic (whenever possible) and I also serve ionized alkaline water in abundance.

Because I teach at my home, I can only accommodate 10 people - and 3 seats are already gone!  Don't miss this terrific opportunity to experience the Raw Food for Beginners Class for yourself.

Hope to see you there!

Eating in Season - Crunchy, Juicy, Sweet Bell Peppers

Bell peppers belong to the nightshade family, which includes eggplant, tomatoes and white potatoes. Although available throughout the year, they are most abundant during the months of August and September. Bell peppers come in different colors, ranging from green to purple, however, green peppers are unripe.

High in Vitamin C (134% of Daily Value) and Vitamin A (104%), one cup of raw, chopped bell peppers is enough to meet your daily requirement for both these Vitamins.  Peppers also contain a range of B vitamins (except B12), Vitamin K, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, phosphorus. In addition, red peppers contain the beneficial lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin.  Bell peppers, however, are very low in calories so use them in salads or with nut dips to add caloric value to your meals.

According to Chinese medicine, bell peppers have cooling qualities and can aggravate rheumatic and arthritic conditions due to solanine, a calcium inhibitor they contain. However, some scientists disagree and studies showed these conditions to be under control when patients ate peppers among other Vitamin C rich foods.

Peppers are super fighters against free radicals (Vitamins C and A are both powerful antioxidants), cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, prostate cancer, cervix, bladder and pancreas cancers, as well as colon and lung cancers.

A study conducted at Kansas State University suggests that people who smoke or live with someone who smokes may greatly benefit from consuming vitamin A-rich foods, such as bell peppers, to prevent lung inflammation and emphasema. Smoke (even secondhand) causes vitamin A deficiency in the body so diet rich in Vitamin A could help counter this effect.

According to the Environmental Working Group's 2006 report "Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce," bell peppers are among the 12 foods on which pesticide residues have been most frequently found. Therefore, always buy them organic or at least use a vegetable wash and give the peppers a good scrub before serving them on your dinner table.

Eat in season, enjoy the abundance of Mother Nature, and be healthy!