Raw 101

Raw 101 - Learn to Surf

Our generation has an unprecedented advantage when it comes to communications and information sharing. Thanks to the Internet, all that you want to know, learn, understand, you can have at your fingertips, in the comfort of your own home. No need to face winter woes, fall rains, spring slush or summer heat: two clicks of a mouse and three or four words entered into a search engine and you are deluged with information! There are more and more resources in raw and living foods. Healthy Crusine shines in its little corner of cyberspace as a place of information sharing, both in English and in French. There are way more English sites out there, now. But more is not necessarily equal to better! So be careful while researching and always ensure that the information you gather on the Internet is applicable to you and appropriate in your particular case. There is nothing like the wisdom of your own body, combined with the experience of others, generously seasoned with good old fashion common sense, to ensure your success on the live food journey, no matter what language.

It's as if we all had, in our own home, a virtual instructor to explain to us what we are seeking. From the most efficient way to make a batch of nut milk, all the way to how to daze the crowds, you will find treasures of instructive and entertaining information on the Internet.

Raw 101 - Finding Support

So... You've decided to go raw? You're jumping into living foods, head first? Congratulations!!!

Before going further, I'd like to suggest some *raw* food for thought (pardon the pun) that will make the transition that much easier for you. You'll see, you won't regret taking the time to think about these things before finding yourself in the heat of the action!!! 

Whenever we undertake a major shift in our lives, we have this notion that everyone else will follow along. Well, we know deep down, that's just not the way it goes. Each of us follows his (or her) own path. Choice is an integral part of life. And we must assume the consequences of OUR choices, not of that of others. This being said, you will no doubt encounter situations that are far from pleasant, as you transition to raw and living foods. The rolling of the eyes. The question avalanche. The emotional blackmail. And others... Who would torture you in this manner? Your worse enemy? You wish! Your parents, your friends, your co-workers, your kids, your life-partner... The intentions underlying such behaviours are mostly well intentioned, but can prove desastrous in the end. Unless... you are equiped with just the right tools to face such situations!

Raw 101 - Jump Right In!

A Good Day to You!

Now is the time. There will never be another moment like this one. Once the decision is made to choose the living food lifestyle, why waste time? Just jump right in!

You won't know everything right from the start. So why wait until you do? You can't possibly foresee all the situations that you will encounter on your journey. So why try to? Think of it as a leap of faith - except this one is any educated leap of faith. You have read up on raw food, haven't you? You have spotted some mouth-watering recipes, no? You've made a few rawbie friends, online or in your community, haven't you?

So go for it!

Now having set that forth, understand that there are some "natural places" to jump onto the living food lifestyle. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, please refer to my previous post, and also consult David Rainoshek's The Spectrum of Diet. These articles should give you some guidance.

Let's examine some steps you can take now, to jump right into the raw and living food lifestyle.

Raw 101 - Evolution in living food

One of the most important aspect of the raw and living food lifestyle is the evolution it sets in motion. Some might try to resist it. Some might try to direct it where it does not want to go. Some may even try to hinder the evolution of others (to suit their own agendas). None of this serves any greater purpose. It is all ego.

Being non-judgmental of one's self and particularly of others, constitute the basis of all forward evolution. Criticism, condemnation: these two have never brought anything of worth to the world. The raw and living food community tries to embody higher and better values.

In the same order of things, it would be unkind to assess another person's commitment to health by ascribing them value based on that person's degree of rawness (100% raw being the top for such people). Nor would it be wise to judge of a person's character based on their willingness to be 100% raw. "It's not just about the food..." comes down to being in harmony with one's eating habits, one's environment and living naturally. This means that each person is allowed (and even encouraged) to journey on his or her own path, at the speed that make them comfortable and happy.