Raw vegan food... it's changed my life.
When people first learn that I'm a Raw vegan, they usually ask Why? My initial response is always the same... "Try it and you'll see for yourself. You'll be amazed." Sometimes I follow it up with examples that I can't help but brag about...
- I have energy through the roof without caffeine.
- I have clear, soft skin that is going to age slowly and beautifully.
- I effortlessly maintain my weight.
- My previously debilitating headaches cease to exist.
- I'm helping my body prevent the common diseases afflicting our culture today.
- I'm setting myself up to win and to reach my goal of being a centenarian.
- I deserve this! My family deserves this!
- Need I go on? Because I can...
This lifestyle is awesome!
I have to laugh with pure rushing joy when people doubt, question, or dare to make negative assumptions about my lifestyle, because I have no regrets. It's like having a secret key that opens the door to life at its best, and if you don't have it... then, guess what? You can. But, if you pass it up... well, then I wish you luck (and if you come back for help later, we'll all be here cheering you on!). (I'm a brunette now, but my laughing expression is the same)
I love my relationship with Raw Vegan food.
I'm so grateful it came into my life. How could I not be? I experienced massive health changes at two levels. The first level of going vegan greatly reduced my headaches, decreased my lethargy, and gave me a beautiful purpose as I set out to save as many animals as I could, along with helping preserve our planet earth for future generations. The second level, going Raw, made me soar to new heights I had not experienced as only a vegan. I experienced life like never before. I felt energy explode in my mouth with every bite of organic raw food. I sensed the cells in my body wake and dance for the first time, and let me tell you... they love to dance!
Raw vegan food makes me feel alive, light, happy, extraordinarily vibrant - from my head to my toes.
And, that's just the beginning. With fresh, pure, plant-based foods, I'm connected to something that can be hard to describe for people who haven't shared the same experience. It's a connection to the earth. To life. To the sun. To the stars. To the moon. To animals. They are precious interconnections that are impossible to take for granted. You know that scene in Avatar where the tribe is sitting on the ground, swaying, and chanting, and they're all connected to the forest and Eywa at the tree of souls?... don't laugh, but I actually feel that way when I eat fresh, organic Raw plant-based foods. I feel like I'm experiencing -- and deeply connected to -- a planet that is alive!
I've been vegan for about 7 years, of which 5 have been either high raw or all raw at different times. I eat with purpose and I love it. Now, I sometimes find myself saying to the same people who asked questions years ago...
- Heck no, I don't miss junk food.
- Yes, it's super easy to do.
- And, no, it doesn't have to be expensive.
Some of them still don't get it. One of the fun things about it is that it can be flexible. Many of you know that I'm not a purist with my diet. Nor am I a zealot. And, I definitely don't stress about it. I do have some cooked foods and goodies on occasion, to which I usually follow it up shortly thereafter with a fresh green juice or salad. I can count on my body to direct me to what I truly crave... alkalizing foods. My body knows better. If I've traveled and eaten more cooked foods than raw for a spell, that's OK because I run back to raw. Every time. Even during the first trimester of my pregnancy when I had about 10-14 days where there wasn't much of anything that sounded good, and I ended up eating more cooked food than raw food - that didn't last long. It was an exciting day shortly thereafter when I felt the change ripple through my body, and I couldn't wait to bite into a juicy piece of organic fruit, to crunch a fresh crisp salad, and to fill my mouth with a nutrient-dense green smoothie - in spite of my all-day-morning sickness! How magnificent to share all of that pure goodness with the precious life growing inside of me.
My flexibility does not cross over into vegan-land however.
I'm not always 100% raw, but I'm always 100% vegan. I'm militant about that, and proud of it. The reason is simple... the vegan aspect of my life reaches far beyond me. It saves and respects both animals and our shared earth, which I refuse to compromise. Why would I? Check out the powerful documentary Earthlings for more information.
These past years have been amazing, and I can't wait to see how my health continues to soar year after year. What an advantage to live this way! When I look back I am thrilled about my decisions and so happy that I started when I did, but it's better late then never for those of you still debating on this lifestyle. If you're looking for more information on living a vegan and raw lifestyle, then check out the following favorite resources of mine.
The China Study
Food Revolution
Skinny Bitch
Food Matters dvd
KristensRaw.com
So... why do you love Raw vegan food? How has it changed your life? Or, what do you hope it will do for you?
I'm not always 100% raw, but I'm always 100% vegan. I'm militant about that, and proud of it. The reason is simple... the vegan aspect of my life reaches far beyond me. It saves and respects both animals and our shared earth, which I refuse to compromise. Why would I? Check out the powerful documentary Earthlings for more information.
I liked the way you made the point you are not worried if you eat some cooked food, as your body swings you back to raw foods as your preferred eating choice.
ReplyDeleteI see a lot of folk with the "zealot" element, that defeats the purpose,in so much a large part of the raw food lifestyle offers the opportunity to educate fellow human beings that killing other inhabitants of this planet is not necessary for your survival.
I have to admit to wondering what sort of mushroom you had been eating when you were describing your connection to the earth whilst eating organic raw produce :-)
Russell
Loverly post. Earthlings was one of the most powerful documentaries I have ever seen. I mean, watching those PETA videos and what not is what really solidified my decision to go vegan in the first place, so it wasn't like I hadn't seen that stuff before. Still, I used to be able to watch shows on Food Network and not be grossed out by the meat. After that movie I never saw meat the same way again. I'm reading John Robbin's "Diet for a New America" right now and at some points I just have to put the book down because I get so upset. It is hard for me to grasp the fact that we live in a world that treats living beings with such blatant disregard. It really is a shame that there doesn't seem to be an end in sight despite obvious evidence that the factory farming industry is perhaps one the largest contributors to global warming. Glad we are at least doing our part!
ReplyDeleteLol Whatzzupsport - no mushroom, just some deep thinking and appreciation. :)
ReplyDeleteHey RawFoodNerd, great comment. Thanks for sharing your story. Love it! Diet for a New America is what I read first, having no idea what I was in for, and I went completely vegan in the week I read it. I remember reading the book at cafes and people would come up to me and say, "That book will take you from one extreme to the other, from one side (meat) to the other (plants)." It's had such a profound impact on people. I also loved Food Revolution. Have you read that yet?
Kristen I LOVE YOU - you rock!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I think you are such an amazing inspiration and I ADORE this post. I'm right with you about healthy, raw food, vegan food. Especially with the raw part being flexible (for me it is VERY flexible!) but militant about veganism. Veganism is the only right thing to do when it comes to the animals and our planet. LOVE IT!
You are MY inspiration!
ReplyDeleteRight on! I love your attitude towards food. I've been vegan for over 3 years now and I absolutely adore it. It was actually a random encounter with a Buddhist book in which the monks wouldn't even kill a bug because of a deep compassion for all living beings. That blew me away and changed my entire outlook on life. Fast forward three months later and I was vegan! I've been eating more raw foods lately and I truly do feel awesome. I'd say I eat raw until dinner most days - smoothie, salad, nuts, and fruit all day, then cooked vegan food at night. Thanks for your blog, your delicious recipes, and your uncompromising position as a vegan!!! :)
ReplyDeleteI totally get the Avatar reference. :)
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way.
My problem is my energy level. I am very tired some days....and then there are days where I literally CRAVE meat. I LOVE meat. :( I don't want to eat it and I really need to get some energy back.
Any ideas on what I might be doing wrong? Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting a big enough variety. I'm just on a sort of plateau right now. Maybe it's the season, the foot of snow we just got, the lack of sunshine?
I'm just tired. Could take a nap every day....
I look forward to your posts every single day. Thank you for sharing your favorite sites and I understand completely your feelings of every cell in your body responding to what you eat. Since I've started having brown rice and hemp protein shakes (following your advice!), I can't explain how my cells respond to this. It is as if they have been needing this protein for years. They all wake up and become alive. I continue to make the mistake of having them before bed (because they are so good and I can't resist!) and I find myself lying in bed completely awake, my mind utterly clear and focused and my body completely alive. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and wisdom with us.
ReplyDeleteYour chocolate cherry bomb shake sounds really really good! I love making healthy shakes/smoothies for breakfast that I can drink in the car on my way to work & I'd like in incorporate more raw foods into my diet.
ReplyDeleteDo you buy your chia seeds from chia seeds direct or somewhere else?
You mentioned Manitoba Harvest was the hemp protein powder you use, what brand of hemp seeds do you use? Do you order them online & where from?
What kind of raw chocolate powder do you use & where do you get that from?
This may be a silly question, but I have never froze a banana before. Do you freeze it whole & then remove the skin & chop it when your ready to use it?
Also, I love reading your blog & following your pregnancy journal. You're inspirational!
Sorry about all the questions.
Thanks! Selina
It's funny because when I am sick (and nausea is a big crohn's thing), I don't eat very raw, but always vegan. But I always go back to eating high raw in the end. You are right, our bodies crave it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, thanks for sharing! XO!
Thanks for such a great post, Kristen! I agree with and feel the same way about everything you shared, except for the pregnancy stuff of course. :)
ReplyDeleteBeing raw and vegan for me has helped me feel better and experience life in a different way. I have had a lot of chronic issues and I find that the more I change my lifestyle, the more these issues just disappear. For example, I used to get cluster headaches (a type of migraine) and I used to take medication and drugs to survive through that hell. I'm happy to say that after becoming vegan and raw, I haven't had a single migraine and luckily haven't had to take any more poisonous drugs.
Not only that, but these things have led me to other areas of enlightenment and improvement. Three years ago, I would have laughed at the though of where I am today. I didn't even know it was possible. Now, I feel like I'm on a path that will help me to continue to heal and act that will act as a catalyst for personal development.
I am trying once more to get back into the raw foods lifestyle. I feel so much better when I eat this way, excess weight just comes off naturally and effortlessly, too! One thing I have never stopped doing is drinking heavy amounts of coffee. Today is day 2 without it, and so far I am doing okay. I plan on drinking lots of green shakes today and going on a long walk. Just have to say that I love your blog and miss sunny AZ! (I'm in the Pacific Northwest now after having lived in AZ for 15 years) :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome Kristen - great post! Unfortunately, some people just don't get it and don't want to but hopefully with people like you around them they'll think twice about it and try it. You could rewrite the Dr. Seuss book "Green Eggs and Ham" to fit the raw vegan lifestyle: try it and you will see... :D
ReplyDeleteWonderfully inspiring post.....I think it will help me make that small leap from 98% vegan to 100%!! Thank you! Deb
ReplyDeleteI've noticed, by dramatically upping my intake of raw and cutting back on processed food and meat somewhat, big changes! This is without even becoming completely raw or vegan. I believe that is what I'd like to strive for, but even without going 100%, my body and health are improving! Reading the China Study (thanks to your suggestion) has been life changing. I'm so thrilled to have lost those last few pounds, to have healthier skin, to have more energy, and to feel good after eating, to name a few. The next step is bringing my hubby and 3 kids along on this healthier way of life. We've made some progress, but old habits are hard to break. Thanks for your inspiration! Tomorrow I'm planning my first trip to Whole Foods (there are only 2 in all of Ontario, plus a few in BC and that's IT for all of Canada) and I'm looking forward to seeing what treasures I'll find! Esp. looking forward to making your chocolate cherry bomb!
ReplyDeleteEAT LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN is RIGHT!!! What do you eat for it it doesn't mean anything? obviously not for health... or anything else for that matter! We eat Vegan for more reasons than ONE! we're benefiting our health, benefiting the ones around us, saving animals, saving the planet and we're just down right NICER people :))
ReplyDeleteRAW is a perk to all of it!! it's like a major bonus!! And I've noticed that while being 100% Vegan and eating for a REASON... I WANT to eat more RAW foods to take my health to an all new level.
THanks for the post Kristen!! I love that picture of you laughing!! you're a gorgeous person inside and out!!
LOVE YOU!!!!!!!
Malynda
I really couldn't agree with you more. Your example only encourages me MORE to put in the little extra effort for my raw foods. But I'm ALWAYS vegan and will never cross that line either. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteOh, and the scene from Avatar...you are totally right. :)
I LOVE everyone's stories! Thank you for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy,
Whoo hoo for Avatar reference. :) Let me give you some hope... sometimes when I have a dip in energy it can be for various reasons:
1) not enough fresh air and sunshine (your vitamin D levels might need help. There are some supplements out there to help if you're not getting it naturally. Vitamin Code has D3, supposedly vegan, but that's debatable since it's synthesized using lanolin. Or, I've heard of a good vegan D vitamin supplement that you can get from Veganessentials.com (http://store.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegane&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=206768214&Count2=123908638&CategoryID=43&Target=products.asp)
2) not eating balanced (are you getting enough greens? Variety can be important, so you might consider some frozen berries since the fresh ones aren't in season blended into green smoothies. Take your time walking around the produce department and make it a point to pick out different things every two weeks.
You might also consider taking a food based multi-vitamin to ensure you're getting enough nutrients on a regular basis.
3) I never crave meat, but perhaps you are craving iron... get more greens and make sure you have vitamin C when consuming iron-rich foods to help the iron absorb better. This can be, for example, a kale salad with lemon juice as part of the dressing, or a green smoothie with some orange in it, or a green juice with lime or a green smoothie with kiwi. You also might be craving some heavier protein, so try some nuts or hemp seeds. Or, have some cooked vegan proteins to satisfy you... perhaps lentils, black beans, tofu (non-gmo), etc. You could also try some protein powders, drinking it with water or in a smoothie. I have a great post coming up in a week of so about the different protein powders I've tried, liked, and not liked. Meat is shown to be energy draining because it's so hard to digest, so I don't think that's the answer for your energy issues.
4) Lastly, if you're tired... make sure you take care to rest your self. Take naps when you can to rejuvenate. Get to bed early. Stay hydrated.
5) Exercise can help get your circulation pumping, oxygen through your body and help overall.
Hope those ideas help. :)
Cheers XOXO,
Kristen
Hi Selena,
ReplyDeleteI always link to the companies I buy right in the posts where you see the recipes. It's usually through Amazon because I love ordering through them - I have Prime and it rocks for 2-day free shipping. Sometimes I list other sources because they're great, too. Yes for Manitoba Harvest for all of my hemp needs. They have consistently been the freshest and their company is amazing! I love supporting them. Navitas Naturals is good Raw chocolate powder and products - I usually use them. I've been using their chia seeds too lately because they offer organic chia seeds.
Frozen bananas: wait until they're ripe (with brown freckles). Peel them and put them in a container (chopped or whole, up to you) or a ziploc baggie tightly secured with as much air pushed out as you can. And, freeze. My personal preference for freezing bananas is using my FoodSaver because it sucks out ALL of the air and they never get ice crystals on them as a result.
You are a stronger woman than I! I'm admire your devotion to the raw life. I recently learned after a 22-day cleanse that I'm unhappy without my coffee, wine, sweets, and junk food. But I am trying to incorporate more raw for better balance.
ReplyDeleteI like how it feels because I am more in touch with myself, more honest in life. I want to be nice and selfless. I don't need to pretend to be happy. I just am. Each day that I stick to my raw vegan-ness I feel exultant, like a warrior princess. A lot of times I just want to run around my neighborhood hugging everyone. I don't do this though because who knows what the HOA might say...
ReplyDeleteGreat post! So encouraging! Thank you =)
ReplyDeleteNope, I haven't read Food Revolution. Who's the author? I'll have to pick it up. I have heard the The Animal Vegetable Miracle is a great one too. I haven't read that one yet, but a lot of people keep telling me how wonderful and powerful it is.
ReplyDeleteIt's John Robbins' follow up book to Diet For A New America ;)
ReplyDeleteKristen-
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing and so inspirational. Your little baby will be so proud to have such great parents that really care about their bodies and what goes into them. I give you huge props!! Im new to your blog but learn from it every time i read. Thank you!!
What a great, heartfelt post! I love your positivity. I transitioned to a raw diet a year and a half ago for health reasons, but as time goes on (and I become more informed)I find myself feeling stronger about the way my diet impacts animals and the earth. I really can't imagine consuming animal products anymore. The health benefits have been amazing too. But most of all I love the new clarity and sensitivity that I have gained by eating clean, living food.
ReplyDeleteLove your post as usual!
ReplyDeleteI have been about 70-80% Raw for over three months and I love it! and although I am not 100% Raw or vegan is my final goal.
However, I am trying to loose weight and also get fitter. I recently started P90X and starting inputing my food intake at myfitnesspal.com, I dont seem to be able to get enough protein thought, I used hemp and brown rice protein but still the ratio that I have is 40 Protein / 40 Carbs and 20 Fat...Raw foods that are high in protein are also high in Fat and high in calories...Help? Thanks! :)
Hi Cinnamon Girl,
ReplyDeleteDid you happen to see my recent post about my husband and raw vegan protein? http://kristensraw.blogspot.com/2010/02/raw-vegan-protein-grenades-help-keep-my.html
If you want extra protein (more than just greens will provide and you don't want it in the form of nuts and fats), then protein powders can help.
Cheers,
Kristen
Reading your posts always leave me feeling so inspired and hopeful. Your positivity for the life you've chosen jumps off the page. I imagine you giddy, unable to sit still, and bouncing around while writing it, haha.
ReplyDeleteIt's a tribute to you that it doesn't turn me off that I'm just not as far along in the journey yet. I know I'll get there, and I hope I'll be just as excited to share how much I love it!
Kristen, after my husband saw your husband's pic., he announced that he wants to go RAW. So, for Valentine's day, I just ordered your KRISTEN'S RAW:THE EASY WAYS TO GET STARTED AND SUCCEED WITH RAW FOOD.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Vegan Tickles! Keep me posted!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Kristen
Hi Kristen,
ReplyDeleteYes I did see it! and I loved it! I actually when to the store right away to buy a lot of the stuff but when I enter the foods in the food tracker. Ie: Amazing Grass (wheat grass) only has 1 gram of protein,
Since I am in Canada I could not find a lot of your products which I will have to order through your links on the internet. One more question? How much protein powder is too much per day? Thanks!
That wheat grass is quality protein though. So, even though it's "1 gram" it's high quality and should be revered as such. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say how much is needed. As you can see from the blog post, my husband's body needs higher levels of protein to achieve his goals, so he drinks more shakes. So, it's an individual thing. You'll have to experiment with different amounts to see what works best for you.
Good luck!
Kristen
Hi LC,
ReplyDeleteYour comment is AWESOME! Thank you so much. :)
Cheers,
Kristen
Believe me--- I didn't laugh when you said that the Tree of Life connection in Avatar is how you feel... I teared up during that part, because I feel like that is what I am fighting for and striving towards in my life. I know I can never be an Avatar, but I am going to do my damnest to live the best life that I can on this planet. Thanks for the great post Kristen!!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am drinking one of he protein grenades right now and I almost can't get it down.. I have no idea how your husband gets five of those down in a day. Major kudos to him. I have to plug my nose and everything, so I may consider making them more like a shot. I added 16 oz. of water and I'm dying. lol Any suggestions would be great!
--manda
Lol Manda, I don't think I mentioned anywhere in the post that they were tasty, did I? Personally, when I have protein powder like that and water, I drink them fast without breathing, but would you believe that my husband actually takes his time drinking them. He's hardcore like that. :) But also, he's been drinking them for a while, so he's also just used to them. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers to plugging and chugging, girl! :)
Kristen
I love this post. I read it the other day, and I can't stop thinking about it! I really believe there's a strong connection not only to our physical well being but to our mental, spiritual, and emotional well being to what we eat!
ReplyDeleteHi Tess,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by and writing your comment. I'm grateful that my post moved you the way it did. Thank you again for coming back and letting me know. :)
Cheers XOXO,
Kristen
You are an inspiration! I wish I had taken so much time and care when I was pregnant, I confess to eating alot of french fries and junk food vegetarian. My son is 3 now, and I try alot harder to feed us healthy things so he will make good choices for the future. Your posts are inspiring! I am not raw, (or even vegan yet) just vegetarian. I have some trouble with raw foods and my colitis. I don't know if you have any knowledge of this condition, but it makes fiber digestion very difficult. I find most of my raw foods have to be ground into smoothies.
ReplyDeleteWow SS, I adored this post and completely agree with you 150%. Although I am totally not as far down the road as you, I completely relate to everything you have said. This just confirms it for me :)
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing :)
BTW thanks for your super cute comment on my video. I only just saw the comment now. I've been flying like a crazy lady.
Hugs lady xxxx
A few months ago I read a blog post from a raw vegan who I will not name that was someone who I had previously greatly admired. She talked about how she's flexible with her diet...that she sometimes eats cooked food, and she eats animal products occasionally for "cultural" experiences! And everyone was applauding her for her flexibility. This is why I admire you, Kristen...you're flexible without compromising your values!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this post. It is always nice to feel like there are other people in the world who really understand your point of you. I appreciate knowing you are there.
ReplyDeleteHi VeganLisa,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your comment and letting me know that you're out there with me, too. :)
I've been eating more raw foods lately because it seems to help my allergies!
ReplyDeleteBest post ever!!! Seriously, I don't think that you and I could agree more about all of these feelings. I'm about to retweet this :)
ReplyDeleteLove this.
ReplyDeleteMy mom always complains of ailments that she has "had since a little girl." All of which could be significantly alleviated through a diet richer in wholesome foods, raw foods, juicing, etc.
There have been a handful of occasions where I mention this to her... only to hear, "Ew! I have no interest in eating _____. You can eat that if you like, but I personally like to enjoy life."
To which I respond, so similarly to what you mentioned...
I DO enjoy life!!!
I love no longer feeling tied to calorie counting, and/or a # of a scale. I love that I wake up with energy! I love that my skin is so much more clear and healthy! I feel GREAT after I eat my raw salads, and amazing green juices. It is so nice to ALIVE!
Food definitely has positive and negative energy. Sure a slice of pizza may "taste" good... but it leaves you feeling... blah. I am often asked how I am so "controlled" of my eating... and then told how sad it is that I gave up _____. My gosh! If only people knew how wonderful a high raw diet is... they would never think twice about making negative comments.
Awesome post.
Lauren