Posted by January Harshe on January 22, 2008
This interview is was with Andy on December 21st, 2007. It was nice to have an interview with a male raw foodist. I appreciated his thoughts about how to transition to a RAW diet. Thank you Andy!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am an avid (recumbent) cyclist but not hard core enough to ride in the snow (this is Michigan ya know). I usually ride between 2 – 3000 miles a year. If you look up the personality traits of a Virgo, which I am, they pretty much fit me to a tee. I love being active, especially outdoors, and doing research on natural health type topics like those associated with being raw.
Are you male or female?
Male
What is your age?
43 going on 33 ;-})
How long have you been eating RAW?
Officially, I started consciously transitioning since March of 2007.
How did you learn about RAW?
I was surfing You Tube and came across a video of the Tyra Banks Show in which she had Alissa and a couple of other nutritionists seeing who could help two people lose weight using their preferred diet plan. Alissa’s team was second due to one of the two on her team not sticking to the diet as I remember.
What does eating RAW mean to you?
It means that as far as my health goes, I can have the ‘best day ever’, (David Wolfe) everyday of my, hopefully, prolonged life. I can eat the best foods without guilt or worry of it making me sick or unhealthy and I can do so without worrying about whether my food choices are causing a negative impact on the planet.
Why did you choose to eat RAW and why do you continue to do so?
Because after all of the things that I have experienced and learned in my 43 years on this planet it is the only logical way to eat.
How did you transition from SAD to RAW?
I have been transitioning to raw on an unconscious level most of my life. Officially, I suppose it has been since March of this year when I found Alissa’s website.
Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Why? How does that effect your RAW lifestyle?
Vegan. If you read any up to date non-bias literature on the affects of dairy on the human body, you would be too. I’ll admit that for now it is a little inconvenient until I learn to make more raw dishes but I have never been a cheese eater, other than on pizza so it wasn’t that big of a deal.
What benefits have you personally noticed from eating RAW?
I have much more energy and have gotten back into walking/jogging which I haven’t done in a number of years. My mental clarity is improving and my stamina has been steadily improving. My compost bin fills up faster than my garbage can due to my foods being encased in a natural, often edible, wrapper instead of non-biodegradable plastics and wax coated paper.
What is your favorite RAW food or recipe?
The next one that I try.
What advice do you have for others looking into eating RAW?
Start out at a level that is comfortable for you. Some people can/need to jump right in and do it 100%. Others need to transition slowly. However you can get there, do so. Yes, it does mean getting out of your comfort zone. Yes, you will have friends and family that think you are crazy. But, you will also be giving yourself, your family, your friends and the planet something great……You! The best you that you can be for a longer more enjoyable life.
Do you have a blog or website you would like to share?
I have a website but I am not currently doing anything with it. If I get the time to put some effort into it again I will let you know what the address is.
Peace,
Andy
Posted by January Harshe on January 7, 2008
With all this talk about a raw lifestyle, I think another raw foodist interview would be beneficial and interesting!
This interview is with on December 22nd, 2007 with Ginger. She is a mother who is very informative about raw food. She has helped me with deciding whether to go all raw while breastfeeding. Thank you!
Tell us a little bit about yourself (3-5 sentences).
I am a stay at home mom and I unschool my daughter who will be 5 on Christmas in a few days! I am one of those spiritual but not religious people, into astrology, numerology, meditating, LOA and all that super neat new age stuff! I have a raw website that I have big plans for in the not so distant future, I am very exited! I’m just itching to share what is in store but you won’t be getting a word out of me till it’s ready.
Are you male or female?
Female
What is your age?
I think 29?
How long have you been eating RAW?
Since the summer of 2002. I go all raw off and on.
How did you learn about RAW?
I was 5 months pregnant with my daughter in the summer of 02. Drove by a place here in Las Vegas called The Raw Truth cafe and juice bar. Decided to check it out and as soon as Bob (owner) told me what it was all about it was like a big light came on in my head and I realized I had finally figured out what was wrong with the world. It just instantly clicked for me the moment I heard it. Like common sense. I was struck by the fact that I had never stopped to think about it on my own all my life. It’s strange how something so obvious could be so effectively hidden right in front of us.
What does eating RAW mean to you?
Lifeforce. Capable of producing and sustaining life. Just can’t do that eating dead and altered stuff.
Why did you choose to eat RAW and why do you continue to do so?
It just makes sense. Eating cooked food is totally absurd and very extreme if you stop to think about it. Just because something is common does not mean it’s normal. Like that saying.. If 10,000 men do a stupid thing, it is still a stupid thing.
How did you transition from SAD to RAW?
I didn’t. The day I learned of raw I went totally fully raw on the spot. Stayed that way until a month later when my life was totally unstable and I had to move 4 times in only a few months. I was pregnant and working a full shift plus taking on extra hours when I could. Life was quite challenging between being so busy and ending a relationship and moving so much and I ended up falling back into eating standard food. Shortly after my daughter was born I went vegetarian and I was vegan before she was 3 months old because my eating dairy was causing her problems. I decided to go raw again when I could and have been all raw off and on since. Hope to stay raw eventually.
Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Why? How does that effect your RAW lifestyle?
Vegan now although on two occasions now I let some things creep back in for awhile. I grew up eating standard foods but mostly junk food and fast food. A home cooked meal in my house was usually just as processed and almost as bad. I always liked salad though. With croutons and bleu cheese and ham or shrimp.. yeah I was never into health until I was pregnant! Never crossed my mind until then. Weird huh? Why am I vegan? Pick a reason! There is no valid reason not to be. Mostly health reasons though for me.
What benefits have you personally noticed from eating RAW?
The cloud lifts, everything heals, and the world is a better place. I have never had another abscessed tooth since changing my diet, and I used to get them constantly like every few months. My period is the complete opposite of what it used to be, it’s now hardly even noticeable, it’s very light, lasts only 3 days tops and no cramping no emotional stuff no nothing. The only way I know when I’m about to get it is that my body wants to fast the day before and the first day I have it. I totally lose my appetite. I lost all my pregnancy weight in 3 months raw eating whatever and whenever I wanted so long as it was raw. Later gained it all back and for some reason I now have to watch my fat intake even when I’m all raw but that’s another story. I never get sick anymore AT ALL. I could go on & on about all the benefits I notice, I notice with my child and my mother (she healed her cancer) but let me just mention one last thing! I had a neat thing happen, totally unexpected. My tooth that I had chipped when I was a kid GREW BACK! My self my family and my friends were floored. Didn’t know it was even possible, it just happened when I was eating all raw for about 6 months. I gave up using toothpaste because turns out it is harmful to teeth. I started using toothsoap instead or just water and a natural bristle toothbrush.
What is your favorite RAW food or recipe?
Soooo many! I love food! It is always changing so I’m going to say salad because I could eat a different salad every day and be perfectly happy the rest of my life.
What advice do you have for others looking into eating RAW?
Try it. Really. Just try it and if something isn’t working your body will tell you so you can adjust things to make it work for you. Raw works for everyone, it is just not true that not everybody can eat raw. Some people just don’t want to eat raw and that is fine, but it’s not because they can’t- it’s that they choose not to. You may have to get creative depending on your diseases or allergies etc but it can be done and you will benefit. It is the way we are all designed to live.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about eating RAW?
There is a saying that totally fits here.. You don’t have to change your life to eat raw, but eating raw will definitely change your life!
Do you have a blog or website you would like to share?
My main site: http://therawpath.com/
Read more interviews.
Posted by January Harshe on December 28, 2007
I interviewed people who eat mostly or all raw diets. This is to give you an insight on why and how they live this lifestyle. I will be posting them periodically for you to enjoy and will also have an interview category so you won’t miss any! These are obviously the opinions of the person being interviewed, so use your head and do what is best for you. (Am I supposed to tell you to seek the advice of your health care professional here? Well, if in doubt go ahead and ask them!)
This interview is with SmilingRawDancer on December 20th, 2007. I know her from rawfoodtalk. She was kind enough to be my first interview! Thanks!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a college student in California. Pre-raw I craved all foods, all the time. Despite the fact that to others I was a "healthy eater," I was overloading on Splenda, low-carb candy, powdered milk, fat-free egg replacers and non-nutritious items. I rarely ate vegetables except iceberg lettuce, and was well on my way to being an obese health food eater. As I became raw, I learned more and more about vegetables, preparation, how to cut various items, and realized how little real food I ate pre-raw. Now people in the grocery store talk to me ALL THE TIME, and ask me questions about the huge amounts of bananas and Thai coconuts I buy.
Are you male or female?
Female
What is your age?
19
How long have you been eating RAW?
Since early summer, 2006.
How did you learn about RAW?
I happened across it while desperate to find some truth about health. It was God’s gift to me.
What does eating RAW to you mean?
It means everything. It means eating REAL food, avoiding illness, being a good example to others, and saving animals and the environment.
Why did you choose to eat RAW and why do you continue to do so?
It just made sense, and the food is SO yummy…I don’t think I could stop if I wanted to!
How did you transition from SAD to RAW?
Cold turkey. I just made the decision, went out and bought some romaine, mushrooms, tomatoes, apples, bananas, ACV and walnuts…the rest is history.
Are you a vegetarian or vegan? Why? How does that effect your RAW lifestyle?
I’m a Vegan, I found that Alissa’s method made the MOST sense. There are just so many nasties involved in raw dairy. Cows milk is meant for cow babies. It doesn’t affect my raw lifestyle, really, except that I don’t eat dairy or anything that comes from an animal.
What benefits have you personally noticed from eating RAW?
Initially I lost about 20 pounds, but since then I’ve had the stamina to run, bike…live my life. I don’t get sick often, I don’t take antacids or Ibprofrin, I no longer have severe toe infections, and my eyesight has gotten a bit better too.
What is your favorite RAW food or recipe?
I LOVE young coconuts, so anything involving those. Raw desserts are just awesome.
What advice do you have for others looking into eating RAW?
Just do it. It’s not hard. Just shop at the produce department, buy frozen fruit, and begin researching…don’t view it as an ALL OR NOTHING situation. Sometimes you have to ease into something as you acquire more knowledge about it.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about eating RAW?
It really is easy. People like to make things complicated, but picking up an apple, or making banana ice cream is simple, and inexpensive. And you DON’T have to eat organic to be raw, do what you can.
Do you have a blog or website you would like to share?
I have a raw twitter, www.twitter.com/missraw
