Embracing My Health

I picked up The Raw Food Detox Diet from the library. Truthfully, the primary reason I chose this book was because it was the only raw food book in the library at the time.  Turned out to be the right first book for me.  It gave me a starting place to investigate raw food.  Over the last several months, I’ve been increasingly curious about eating raw food and its benefits.  I actually started in on eating some raw food in my day before I read this book.  As I read the book, I found out (lucky me!) that I started as I should… not too fast.  For most people, it’s wise to have raw food be a journey and not something you dive in, head first, into the deep end.  For most, it’s too much of a shock to the system and you’ll end up feeling sick, unhealthy and running away from anything resembling raw food.

Raw food is exceptionally good for you.  But when eating the Standard American Diet (SAD), our bodies are ready for the powerful nutrition, enzymes and detoxifying effects that raw food provides. My biggest take-away from this book: Green Lemonade! I start my day with by juicing a head of romaine, 5-6 leaves of dark green leaves like kale, collards spinach, or wild greens, 2 apples (usually Fuji), and a whole lemon. I vary the combination of these, mostly in what dark greens I use… but follow the general recipe. It is certainly unlike anything you’ve had before, but surprisingly tasty and addicting. And Natalia Rose asserts that you may feel the impact of drinking this on your health from the first day. I would agree. I did!

What I appreciate most about this book is a sense of rationality, of prudence and moderation.  She gets that moving towards our own individual personal health is a personal process.  What one person is ready for, another is not.  She’s gracious and flexible.  Exactly what anyone who is interested in raw food needs to hear.  For a long time, there were many who were not and militancy ruled.  The problem with militancy, it doesn’t woo or invite.   Most often, it sends people running the other direction.

There are times where her regimen for “quit exit” foods, what to combine and don’t combine, and when and how to eat your food throughout the day are daunting.  Don’t let that slow you done.   I’m still learning and I’m not doing everything she outlines to do… and I’m experiencing detoxification, increased health and energy and weight loss.  Every step we take toward more health, is just that… taking us to a place of increased health and well-being.  Our bodies are wonderful that way!

A quick mention regarding the recipes:  I do like the recipes in this book, although if you are going to be eating a fair number of raw meals… don’t plan on this being enough recipes to your menu diverse.

Overall, this is worth reading.  Pick it up at your library.  I checked it out, extended my check out period and then ultimately decided to buy it.  There are big chunks of this book that I’m not sure I agree with.  But, that said, it was a great first book for me to take me further into my raw food journey.

Recommendation: 4 out of 5 stars.