Around
mid-summer I sometimes take a month or two and eat a raw food diet.
It's
pretty simple. You just eat raw food.
Nature's First Law: the Raw Food Diet
For
some reason, the first thing people ask is: "Is it OK to eat raw
meat?" I didn't know that so many people were so anxious to eat raw
meat. I eat some occasional raw fish and shellfish, but not more than once or
twice a week. Otherwise, it's all fruit, vegetables and nuts.
You
can eat whatever you want, as much as you want. It just has to be raw.
This
is, by far, the most fabulous diet ever. If you want to lose weight, it is
common to drop 10-20 lbs a month on a raw food diet -- but you can eat
whatever you want, as much as you want. However, it's not just about weight
loss, but detoxification and re-energization on many levels. Eating a raw
food diet for an extended period (six months) has been shown to clear out the
colon, and also clears out arteriosclerosis. I would suggest it for most any
chronic health condition, such as diabetes for example.
Unfortunately,
we live in a rather toxic environment, including toxic food. Pretty much any
processed food -- anything with a list of ingredients -- is likely to be
stuffed full of chemicals these days, including chemicals that they are not
required to list. There are a few exceptions, but you would have to search
them out.
Also,
by eating raw food, you avoid meat. And, you avoid the "white
foods": processed grains, dairy, salt and sugar. Of course, no beer or
hard liquor. Wine is apparently raw, although I wouldn't drink very much of
it and it would be better to avoid it altogether. No coffee or tea.
There
is considerable evidence that forms of cooking are not so good for food. Even
very mild "cooking," such as pasteurization. In experiments, it was
found that 90% of baby cows will die if their mother's milk is pasteurized.
Ideally,
I would avoid all pasteurized food, including pasteurized fruit juices. It is
best to make your own juices, with a squeezer and juicer. However, in
practice I am often a little lazy, and buy pasteurized juice at the store.
What
you can eat:
All
fruits and vegetables in their natural state
Fruit and vegetable juices (be creative)
Raw nuts (not roasted)
Raw nut oils (olive oil, sesame oil, walnut oil, etc.)
Herbs and spices
Certain condiments including vinegar and soy sauce
Certain pickled items including olives and cucumbers
Sun-dried fruit and vegetables
You
can make a variety of salad dressings, which is important because you eat a
lot of salad. I would make my own, rather than buying anything in a store.
You
can buy raw food "cookbooks," but they aren't very helpful. Mostly,
they are a good source of salad dressing recipes.
Many
people seem to make the mistake that "raw food" means nothing but
apples, bananas and iceberg lettuce. Variety is important! You will find that
there are so many fruits and vegetables out there that you will never be
bored. Figs, currants, dates, avocados, cantaloupes, mangos, kiwis,
watermelons, goji berries, cherries, cranberries, grapes, dozens of varieties
of leafy vegetables including kale, chard, bok choy, arugula, napa cabbage,
peppers, olives (many varieties!), parsley, dill, cilantro, basil, pine nuts,
cashews, brazil nuts, and on and on. I would also look into juices made from
carrots, beets, celery, ginger, garlic, etc. etc.
By
now, all of this probably sounds rather difficult. But, actually this is
about the easiest diet you can have, once you get started. You will find that
you have few "cravings" with a raw food diet. For example, even if
you used to drink coffee every day, you will probably find that you don't
have any coffee cravings, and also no withdrawal symptoms either. I would
suggest it for strong addictions as well, such as narcotics or certain
prescription drugs.
One
thing that makes the raw food diet easy to "stick to" is that you
don't have to think very much. No counting "points" or calories,
planning meals, reading ingredient lists, and so forth. If it's raw, then go
right ahead and eat it.
Also,
there are no recipes to adhere to, and actually not much planning at all.
There isn't much work involved, and very little cleanup. You can just cut
open a watermelon and start eating.
It it
especially effective to combine a raw food diet with some exercise.
If you
have a typical U.S. diet, including lots of processed foods like soft drinks,
snack foods, meat every day, etc., I think it would be good to have a few
weeks of transition period where you eat more like a "19th century"
diet. You can cook and eat meat, but stay away from anything that you can't
make in your own kitchen. No Gatorade, Cheez Wiz, Pop Tarts or Diet Coke. Eat
some salad and fruit every day.
In
practice, the first week can be rather difficult. Some people have reported
strong "detox" symptoms including flu-like symptoms. Also, you are
going to be changing your habits rather dramatically, which is a bit jarring.
During the first week, it is common to want to eat A LOT. If you want to eat
... then eat! People are often "afraid" (???) that they will
"feel hungry." You are going to feel hungry. Go eat a watermelon.
You won't feel hungry after that.
In the
second week, it is still a little difficult, but it gets easier.
By the
third week, you should be cruising along pretty comfortably. The urge to eat
all the time fades away. By the fourth week, you probably feel really good,
and you are 10-20 lbs lighter too. The idea of continuing for another month
probably doesn't seem difficult at all. I would, especially if it is your
first time on raw food. Three months is a good goal.
For
some reason, people are always concerned about "nutrition" when
eating raw food. They should be more concerned about nutrition when they are
eating Coke and potato chips! A raw food diet will flood your body with
nutrients. You will be naturally attracted to foods which have nutrients you
require. They will taste good. Nuts provide plenty of protein.
Some
additional advice:
Summer
is a good season for raw food, because there is more local produce. Eat
what's in season. When the supermarket is selling grapes for $0.99 a pound,
take advantage!
Organic
is good. Local is good. Organic and local is the best.
Wash
your salad and get a salad spinner. After you add dressing, toss your salad.
Get a
blender for "fruit smoothies," and a juicer for carrot/apple/beet
type stuff. If you live in a place where citrus is plentiful, such as
California or Florida, I'd get a citrus squeezer.
Variety
is key! If you get tired of grapes, look for something different, like an
avocado/tomato salad. Also, you can olives for a whole day, if you want to.
Concentrated foods like nuts and dried fruit should be under 10% of your
diet, however.
It
would be particularly effective to combine a raw food diet with a colon
cleansing program like Dr. Natura:
Dr. Natura herbal cleansing
This
stuff works great. I would wait until at least the third week of raw food
before starting a program like this, however.
You
will probably spend more money at the supermarket when eating raw food. However,
you will spend less at bars and restaurants. On balance, it is usually a
money-saver.
There
you go. If you want to lose weight, or have chronic issues like high blood
pressure or diabetes, or just want to avoid today's toxic food supply, this
is by far the easiest, fastest, and most effective method.
If you
are overweight, have chronic health issues, continue to eat poisonous
processed foods, and don't do anything about it, well, you get what you get.
You had your chance.
* * *
The
rationalizations start to pile up for higher taxes. I
suspect we might be in a long-term tax hike cycle.
FT: Why Obama Will Have to Raise Taxes
* * *
Who
owns your stocks? Remember that series by John Harris about
your legal standing? Pretty weird, right?
April 19, 2009: Let's Kick Around Those "Sustainability"
Types (scroll down)
Much
the same is the case for the stocks you "own." Here's a good
description of who really owns what.
Barbara Cohen: Who Really Owns Your Stocks?
Nathan
Lewis
Nathan
Lewis was formerly the chief international economist of a leading economic
forecasting firm. He now works in asset management. Lewis has written for the
Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal Asia, the Japan Times, Pravda, and
other publications. He has appeared on financial television in the United
States, Japan, and the Middle East. About the Book: Gold: The Once and Future
Money (Wiley, 2007, ISBN: 978-0-470-04766-8, $27.95) is available at
bookstores nationwide, from all major online booksellers, and direct from the
publisher at www.wileyfinance.com or 800-225-5945. In Canada, call
800-567-4797.
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