Fifteen days ago, I decided that I would eat raw vegan food for one day; and if I felt like it, I would do it again the next day, and the next, etc. Each day I would decide how I feel and move on from there; and each day it has been, strangely and unexpectedly, liberating! Part of my agreement with myself is that if I want something cooked I will eat it and enjoy it - no guilt, no self-recriminating judgment, just pleasure as a result of making a mindful decision. I have put no limitations on food quantity, number of meals, etc., other than anything I eat will be vegan. So, I am fifteen days in, feeling satisfied and healthy, and oddly, as though I have always eaten this way.
Over the past 5 years or so of eating a vegan diet, I have explored, experimented with, and eaten many amazingly delicious cruelty-free meals. Many of these have been raw as I like to take in as much nutrient-rich food as possible and have enjoyed creating raw vegan treats and meals as a novelty and as a way to experience a variety of tastes and textures. I have always enjoyed the raw foods I have created and felt good adding them to my cooked vegan meals. However, lately I have felt myself moving into a new space- I have developed a strong desire for raw vegan food - fresh, living, highly nourishing food that is not cooked and still delicious. And though I have for some time been aware of the benefits of eating food that hasn’t had most of the nutrition cooked away, I haven’t always understood the reasons that one would choose to do such an “odd thing” as a total way of eating. Adding fresh vegetables, fruits, and seeds to your meals should be enough, right?
Throughout this experiment I have continued reading about food, learning more about enzymes (we cook them away and they're really important!), phytonutrients (yep, need them too!)and my confusion as to why we cook so much of our food has increased. Our taste preference for cooked food has led to the depletion of nourishment in the food, which leaves us unsatisfied; this leads to food cravings, then to overeating, and finally to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases among others (read more here). Hence my experiment to see how I would feel while eating a diet of 100% living, whole, vegan food, one day at a time; and I have been enjoying every minute of it! I feel as though I am rediscovering something that I already knew, but until now, I wasn’t ready to really know it.
So: Does eating all raw make a difference? Will I feel better? - I don't feel bad right now. Will I feel different at all? These are some of the questions I have been asking myself throughout this experiment. And so far, results are good.
· Mindfulness
I am so much more mindful of what I am doing as I prepare food. Raw vegan food preparation necessitates mindfulness – lots of sharp tools - knives, food processor blade, etc. one has to be aware of hand placement whether slicing, dicing, chopping etc. or reaching into a sink full of soapy water! I have found that spreading cracker “dough” onto dehydrator sheets, or layering nut crust with carob cream filling and then cashew cream requires steadiness and awareness.
It feels good to know that the preparation of food is something for which I have set aside time. I can focus on what I am doing, think loving thoughts and infuse this living food with nurturing healing energy : )
I am so much more mindful of what I am doing as I prepare food. Raw vegan food preparation necessitates mindfulness – lots of sharp tools - knives, food processor blade, etc. one has to be aware of hand placement whether slicing, dicing, chopping etc. or reaching into a sink full of soapy water! I have found that spreading cracker “dough” onto dehydrator sheets, or layering nut crust with carob cream filling and then cashew cream requires steadiness and awareness.
It feels good to know that the preparation of food is something for which I have set aside time. I can focus on what I am doing, think loving thoughts and infuse this living food with nurturing healing energy : )
· Energy level
& Emotions
Throughout the past 15 days my energy level and emotions have stayed consistent; even on days that are usually low energy for me (prior to and beginning of menstrual cycle). And this is while living out of town, with 3 or 4 other people depending on the day, teaching a different schedule than usual, etc. – I feel contentedly grounded, centered, and balanced : )
Throughout the past 15 days my energy level and emotions have stayed consistent; even on days that are usually low energy for me (prior to and beginning of menstrual cycle). And this is while living out of town, with 3 or 4 other people depending on the day, teaching a different schedule than usual, etc. – I feel contentedly grounded, centered, and balanced : )
· Love
I feel that I am offering love to myself and others through this nourishment; by offering food with high levels of prana (vital life force) I am offering love energy as food. Seeing the little sprouts on cashews and almonds softens my heart and makes me smile – I know it sounds weird but it’s the truth! This is how I want my life to be/feel – love centered, inside, outside and all around. There is tenderness and joy tingling within me and it feels really good. Namaste ♥
I feel that I am offering love to myself and others through this nourishment; by offering food with high levels of prana (vital life force) I am offering love energy as food. Seeing the little sprouts on cashews and almonds softens my heart and makes me smile – I know it sounds weird but it’s the truth! This is how I want my life to be/feel – love centered, inside, outside and all around. There is tenderness and joy tingling within me and it feels really good. Namaste ♥
