Friday, August 27, 2010

Raw Food: Why Raw Cacao Beans Are a Super Food

raw food Raw chocolate is one of the healthiest foods on the earth. Organic food research is continually proving that raw chocolate such as raw cacao nibs, raw cacao butter, raw cacao powder and other types of raw chocolate in their natural state is a super food. The problem is that most chocolate has been highly processed and heated, throwing away all of the vital nutrients.

According to raw food expert, many ingredients are added to chocolate which have a negative impact on our health. Sugar, for example, destroys the immune system and causes diabetes, premature aging and other serious health problems. Studies also show that adding milk to chocolate cancels out all of the goodness. Raw chocolate is chocolate that hasn't gone through any sort of heating or processing, so all of the nutrients are still intact says Organic food expert.

What are Cacao beans?

Cacao beans are the seed of a fruit that grows on the cacao tree. Cacao trees originated in the Amazon basin, and they will only grow in a very warm, moist, shady environment. Cacao beans were so highly valued by ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations, they were used as money. Cacao beans are naturally sugar free and taste somewhat bitter in their raw form.They contain many nutrients that are beneficial to our health in a variety of ways. Although eating raw cacao beans would provide you with the direct benefits of pure cacao, nutritionists agree that cacao found in dark chocolate is also very beneficial.

Raw chocolate contain high amounts of:

Anti-oxidants: more than any other food and helps greatly with healing skin.

Magnesium: helps with mineral deficiency Chromium: also helps with mineral deficiency

Vitamin C: important nutrient and helps assist the body in the production of collagen

Therefore if you include these little beans in your diet, you are getting a concentrated source on anti-oxidants, magnesium, chromium and high levels of vitamin C. Also, the phenylethylamine, or PEA contained in cacao beans affects brain chemistry in a very positive way. To say you "love" chocolate may not be too far off, since PEA produces a brain chemistry that's similar to that associated with falling in love!

 

Raw Food: Why Raw Cacao Beans Are a Super Food

raw food Raw chocolate is one of the healthiest foods on the earth. Organic food research is continually proving that raw chocolate such as raw cacao nibs, raw cacao butter, raw cacao powder and other types of raw chocolate in their natural state is a super food. The problem is that most chocolate has been highly processed and heated, throwing away all of the vital nutrients.

According to raw food expert, many ingredients are added to chocolate which have a negative impact on our health. Sugar, for example, destroys the immune system and causes diabetes, premature aging and other serious health problems. Studies also show that adding milk to chocolate cancels out all of the goodness. Raw chocolate is chocolate that hasn't gone through any sort of heating or processing, so all of the nutrients are still intact says Organic food expert.

What are Cacao beans?
Cacao beans are the seed of a fruit that grows on the cacao tree. Cacao trees originated in the Amazon basin, and they will only grow in a very warm, moist, shady environment. Cacao beans were so highly valued by ancient Mayan and Aztec civilizations, they were used as money. Cacao beans are naturally sugar free and taste somewhat bitter in their raw form.They contain many nutrients that are beneficial to our health in a variety of ways. Although eating raw cacao beans would provide you with the direct benefits of pure cacao, nutritionists agree that cacao found in dark chocolate is also very beneficial.

Raw chocolate contain high amounts of:
Anti-oxidants: more than any other food and helps greatly with healing skin.
Magnesium: helps with mineral deficiency
Chromium: also helps with mineral deficiency
Vitamin C: important nutrient and helps assist the body in the production of collagen

Therefore if you include these little beans in your diet, you are getting a concentrated source on anti-oxidants, magnesium, chromium and high levels of vitamin C. Also, the phenylethylamine, or PEA contained in cacao beans affects brain chemistry in a very positive way. To say you "love" chocolate may not be too far off, since PEA produces a brain chemistry that's similar to that associated with falling in love!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Simple Steps To A Raw Food Diet

Raw food
Why Raw Food?

Raw food experts typically believe that the greater thepercentage of raw food in the diet, the greater the health benefits. A raw food diet is usually equated with only eating raw plant foods. Depending on the type of lifestyle and results desired, raw food diets may include a selection of raw fruits, goji berries, pomegranate, vegetables, nuts, seeds (including sprouted whole grains such as gaba rice), eggs, fish (such as sashimi), meat (such as Carpaccio), and non pasteurized non-homogenized dairy products (such as raw milk cheese, and raw milk yogurt).

We have a limited supply of enzymes in our body and the only way to get more is via the food we eat. Without enough enzymes to run our body as well as digest our food, the body starts to degenerate and symptoms such as arthritis and other diseases occur.

There is also the fact that organic food tastes incredible. You need less food to be satisfied because the food is very high in the nutrients you need, so you don't need to eat as much to get what your body needs. This results in your body reaching the weight it was designed to be and it also causes your body to eliminate all the toxins it's been holding on to for most of your life.

Another advantage of buying raw food is that while the preparation time is slightly longer, once the food is prepared, it's ready to be eaten! There's no cooking time and usually very little cleaning up time either.

Simple Steps To Going Raw
Raw food is food that hasn't been cooked over 105F, although some foods can be cooked to slightly higher temperatures before the enzymes are destroyed.

Step 1: Make a commitment to having a go with raw food for at least 30 days. This will help you over any sticky patches in your first attempt. If you can get some support from your friends or family and support them in turn, this will help you enormously!

Step 2: One of the first things you need to do is read up about raw food. Find out exactly what you need to do to ensure the food you're eating is raw. There are loads of raw food books you can buy and there's even a list below for Amazon's top results to help your search.

Step 3: Get your kitchen kitted out with a blender, a sprouter and some receipe books. If you've got the money a dehydrator, a spiralizer and a top of the line juicer are well worth investing in. The juicer that most people love is by Greenstar because it juices very slowly so it keeps the heat down and makes sure the enzymes survive.

Step 4: Buy organic food. You'll be amazed at the difference!
Step 5: Start eating raw. To keep your interests up, try different recipes from your raw food books.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

raw foods : Discovering the Raw Foods Lifestyle!

organic goji berries On a mindful journey toward self discovery and a deep passion for health and vitality, two sisters came together and created Virgin Raw Foods.

They wanted to share their knowledge and passion for the raw foods lifestyle, and make it fully accessible to those who already know its miracles. For those who have yet to discover the power of this life-changing movement, they wanted to make it possible.

They share a story of an emotional connection during their childhood together in Poland, and a joy of newfound sisterhood here in the United States.

Growing up in Poland, the sisters had frequent access to a forest and a garden, and a lot of raw cacao nibs, fruits, organic goji berries, vegetables and other the things they ate were straight from it. They didn't have foods unatural to their climate, such as bananas and oranges. These raw food nuts and others foods were always fresh, and the sisters pride themselves on growing up with organic products. Because food was sometimes scarce, they always grew up sharing. This is part the reason Virgin Raw came about. Their kitchen was always full of people, even when food was so exclusive.

The sisters developed a passionate relationship with food, even taking part in the growing process, including planting the seeds. They would spend hours in the hot summer sun harvesting such foods like potatoes and beets. Food was a way of life for the two, and such began bonds that would spark whole new relationships.

Through their separate journeys, they had visited health spas around the world and expanded their education of nutrition and health. They then reconnected in 2008, and realized they had been together all along and united through a common goal.

Along the way they discovered the raw food lifestyle. Their sisterhood was reborn again through the self discovery of their mutual passion of helping others to live a better life by having a healthier relationship with food.

Step by step, they tried new and exciting raw foods and raw foods recipes and found great pleasure in sharing them with friends and family. In every aspect of their lives, they noticed a newfound and positive change.

Innovation and You

What's innovative today is to make a contribution to your health. If that's your new path, we feel privileged that you've chosen organic foods as part of your own personal journey of self discovery.

You're that much closer to being at your best in Wellness and Health.

By adopting a raw foods lifestyle, you may meet yourself for the very first time.

Friday, July 2, 2010

raw foods : Discovering the Raw Foods Lifestyle!

organic goji berries On a mindful journey toward self discovery and a deep passion for health and vitality, two sisters came together and created Virgin Raw Foods.

They wanted to share their knowledge and passion for the raw foods lifestyle, and make it fully accessible to those who already know its miracles. For those who have yet to discover the power of this life-changing movement, they wanted to make it possible.

They share a story of an emotional connection during their childhood together in Poland, and a joy of newfound sisterhood here in the United States.

Growing up in Poland, the sisters had frequent access to a forest and a garden, and a lot of raw cacao nibs, fruits, organic goji berries, vegetables and other the things they ate were straight from it. They didn't have foods unatural to their climate, such as bananas and oranges. These raw food nuts and others foods were always fresh, and the sisters pride themselves on growing up with organic products. Because food was sometimes scarce, they always grew up sharing. This is part the reason Virgin Raw came about. Their kitchen was always full of people, even when food was so exclusive.

The sisters developed a passionate relationship with food, even taking part in the growing process, including planting the seeds. They would spend hours in the hot summer sun harvesting such foods like potatoes and beets. Food was a way of life for the two, and such began bonds that would spark whole new relationships.

Through their separate journeys, they had visited health spas around the world and expanded their education of nutrition and health. They then reconnected in 2008, and realized they had been together all along and united through a common goal.

Along the way they discovered the raw food lifestyle. Their sisterhood was reborn again through the self discovery of their mutual passion of helping others to live a better life by having a healthier relationship with food.

Step by step, they tried new and exciting raw foods and raw foods recipes and found great pleasure in sharing them with friends and family. In every aspect of their lives, they noticed a newfound and positive change.

Innovation and You

What's innovative today is to make a contribution to your health. If that's your new path, we feel privileged that you've chosen organic foods as part of your own personal journey of self discovery.

You're that much closer to being at your best in Wellness and Health.

By adopting a raw foods lifestyle, you may meet yourself for the very first time.

Discovering the Raw Foods Lifestyle!

organic goji berries
On a mindful journey toward self discovery and a deep passion for health and vitality, two sisters came together and created Virgin Raw Foods.
They wanted to share their knowledge and passion for the raw foods lifestyle, and make it fully accessible to those who already know its miracles. For those who have yet to discover the power of this life-changing movement, they wanted to make it possible.

They share a story of an emotional connection during their childhood together in Poland, and a joy of newfound sisterhood here in the United States.

Growing up in Poland, the sisters had frequent access to a forest and a garden, and a lot of raw cacao nibs, fruits, organic goji berries, vegetables and other the things they ate were straight from it. They didn't have foods unatural to their climate, such as bananas and oranges. These raw food nuts and others foods were always fresh, and the sisters pride themselves on growing up with organic products. Because food was sometimes scarce, they always grew up sharing. This is part the reason Virgin Raw came about. Their kitchen was always full of people, even when food was so exclusive.

The sisters developed a passionate relationship with food, even taking part in the growing process, including planting the seeds. They would spend hours in the hot summer sun harvesting such foods like potatoes and beets. Food was a way of life for the two, and such began bonds that would spark whole new relationships.

Through their separate journeys, they had visited health spas around the world and expanded their education of nutrition and health. They then reconnected in 2008, and realized they had been together all along and united through a common goal.

Along the way they discovered the raw food lifestyle. Their sisterhood was reborn again through the self discovery of their mutual passion of helping others to live a better life by having a healthier relationship with food.

Step by step, they tried new and exciting raw foods and raw foods recipes and found great pleasure in sharing them with friends and family. In every aspect of their lives, they noticed a newfound and positive change.

Innovation and You
What's innovative today is to make a contribution to your health.
If that's your new path, we feel privileged that you've chosen organic foods as part of your own personal journey of self discovery.

You're that much closer to being at your best in Wellness and Health.

By adopting a raw foods lifestyle, you may meet yourself for the very first time.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Raw foods: Can You Really Eat Raw & Work Out?

raw foods
If you’ve been thinking of starting up on a raw foods diet, it’s important that you carefully plan out this diet approach in accordance with your workouts. Those who are very involved in their workout program have specific nutrient requirements and if these requirements are not met, problems can and will likely arise. Consequences can be high levels of fatigue, muscle mass loss, decreased strength and muscular endurance. You don’t want to take a blind approach here as the consequences can be high levels of fatigue, muscle mass loss, decreased strength and muscular endurance, as well as poor sports performance if you happen to be involved in athletic events.

Here are some of the most important things to remember if you’re planning on starting up a raw foods diet.

Get Complex Carbohydrates Before The Workout
The first thing that you must make sure you do is get enough complex carbohydrates in your diet before you head out to do your workout. These complex carbohydrates are what will provide the fuel your body needs to get through those gruelling workout sessions, so without them, you’re going to sputter out quickly.One of the simplest complex carbohydrates to have before a workout is raw unprocessed oats. Mix these with a small amount of dried fruit, organic raw nuts and some honey for added sweetness. Then form into tiny balls that can easily be consumed before you head off to the gym.

Finish The Workout With Fast-Acting Carbohydrates
Second, you also must make sure you get a head start on proper recovery by including a fast acting carbohydrate source immediately following your workout. This is when the muscles are most likely to suck this glucose up instantly, helping to regenerate the muscle glycogen that powers you through your exercise session. Sugars will be broken down faster in the body than a grain source which requires more reactions to take place. Fresh fruit or dried fruit works great in this case as the sugars will be broken down faster in the body than a grain source which requires more reactions to take place.
Juice also works well so if you’re not in the mood to consume solid foods after a hard workout, that’s a good option to turn to.

Do Not Neglect Protein
Protein is a nutrient that is often quite low in those practicing a raw food diet because unlike typical diets, you will not consume any cooked meat. Instead, turn to raw hemp seeds, nuts, as well as beans to get as much dietary protein in as possible. Beans, also mentioned as a good pre-workout carb, are really ideal for before your workout as long as you don’t find them so heavy that you cannot workout.

You should aim to get one gram per pound of body weight if you can, however you may find this increasingly difficult, especially if you choose not to incorporate a form of protein powder in with your diet. Just be sure you don’t go below half a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight or you may risk losing muscle mass while exercising. Being sure to get in enough carbohydrates will also help to eliminate the risk of this occurring as well since that will help prevent incoming protein being utilized as a primary fuel source.

Take In Enough Calories Total
Finally, the last thing that you must be sure to be on the lookout for is total calorie intake. If you’re meal plan on your raw food diet contains mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, your calorie intake is going to end up being very low and this can make it incredibly hard to get enough energy in to get you through your activities. Active individuals who exercise three to five times a week should aim to eat at fourteen calories per pound of body weight, so do a quick calculation for yourself.

If you’re aiming to lose weight you will want to eat slightly less than this but do remember that there is definitely a limit as to how low you can take your calories. If you bring them too low you risk your metabolism slowing down, preventing further fat loss from taking place.So be sure you keep these tips in mind if you’re starting up on a raw food diet and are an active individual. You want to be extra sure you’re getting the right foods at the right times of the day because this is what will help you see optimal results from your workout plan