In My Mind’s Zen Garden

This is awesome. I need to incorporate ‘green smoothies’ into my raw foods diet.

Also, here’s a very nice Young Coconut Shake recipe I found on WendiDee’s Pure Jeevan site. Awesome!

[ link via Raw Food Chat ]

This person does a good job of explaining the protein myth.

Enzymes are biomolecules that catalyze (i.e. increase the rates of) chemical reactions. Almost all enzymes are proteins.
—from Wikipedia.org

For the raw vegan, s/he can get an abundance of enzymes from fresh fruits and vegetables. And coincidentally, almost all enzymes are proteins. In addition, amino acids can be found in virtually all foods, and are the “building blocks” of protein.

The ultimate fringe food culture sexes it up for the mainstream…
—from Raw Food Chat

Earlier this morning I had an epiphany about Whole Foods, that hip, expensive place that’s pretty much the ONLY supermarket where I can buy organic, raw vegan foods in mass quantities.

Yes, I think its time has come, that the Raw Food Movement is ready for the mainstream.

Not Just A Fringe Group Anymore

Formerly a “fringe” group of vegans intent on going that additional step toward a 100% raw food diet, raw foodists (or raw vegans) are beginning to benefit as large health food companies like Whole Foods is really beginning to embrace the whole raw food movement completely.

I recently have been able to buy organic raw vegan meals at Whole Foods. Mainly courtesy of Leaf Cuisine. And, being a raw vegan who’s been having trouble creating my own raw gourmet dinners at home, it’s a blessing that now Whole Foods offers a more complete experience for the raw vegan, and not just organic fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds.

Leaf Cuisine Does Good

Leaf Cuisine seems to be the main supplier of organic raw vegan meals, averaging between $5 to $10 per entree. Available meals include: Raw Vegan Pad Thai, Rawsagna (yes, a raw version of Lasagna!), Bombay Burrito, Veggie Sun Burger with Salsa, and Falafels with Tahini Sauce… all raw, vegan (vegetarian with no animal products), and 100% certified organic!

Raw Caesar’s Salad Dressing

One item that’s a “godsend” for raw vegans is Leaf Cuisine’s raw caesar salad dressing! I’ve tried it and it’s delicious, though it doesn’t really taste like traditional caesar salad dressing with the anchovies of course. I mean, where else can one get a raw vegan caesar’s salad dressing that’s certified organic?

Availability Of Raw Vegan Meals on the Rise

Anyway, knowing that there is a growing availability of raw food meals out there is very reassuring for someone like myself who’s been struggling with creating my own gourmet meals at home. Of course, nothing wrong with the big hearty garden salad. You can always add whatever raw ingredients you’re in the mood for at the moment. But it’s good to know there are more choices out there.

[ This post is my contribution to RBJ's April Collaboration Project... in connection with Earth Day ]

A while back I posted an article entitled Boosting Your Energy Level With Smaller Meals.

I still stand by that bit of advice. I firmly believe that overloading the body with one huge meal is very detrimental to one’s overall energy level. It causes all the body’s energy to be drawn toward the digestive system in order to handle the overload. Not only that, overeating at any given meal is just hard on the body, period. One might feel in “food coma” heaven, but it doesn’t really help maintain a higher energy level for performance and efficiency.

Raw Foods and Performance

But let’s talk about the relationship of energy level and what goes into our body that can help boost that energy level. I believe raw foods is a way to improve one’s energy level and performance.

Caffeine and Sugar versus Raw Foods

By performance, I mean everyday activity and how one is generally feeling minute-by-minute. Usually, foods and beverages that contain sugar and caffeine can boost energy levels for a brief time. But then, as everyone knows, the body “crashes” and we lose that energy and drive, so we try to re-energize with another dose of sugar and/or caffeine.

Raw Foods are Easier To Digest

Raw foods contain live enzymes that aid the body in digestion and other internal processes, and because raw foods are in their raw, original state, they are very easily digestible, and thus the body doesn’t have to spend too much of its own energy in digesting the food eaten.

Better Nutrition To Calorie Ratio

Another value of raw foods is that generally they are packed with more nutrition than cooked foods. And when one primarily eats a raw food diet, this pretty much doesn’t include all the junk food and fast food that’s readily available out there, and which is not healthy for the body. Junk food and fast food also contain lots of empty calories, less nutritional value, and also contains additives, preservatives, residual pesticides, etc, etc… that the body doesn’t need.

Raw Vegetable Juices For More Energy

In my own experiments with raw foods, I’ve found that I get the most energy when juicing vegetables like carrots, cucumbers and celery. In fact, any kind of raw vegetable juice is ideal for boosting energy levels consistently. And trust me, being a 50 year old drummer, I need the same energy level I had when I was a 20 years old in order to maintain the same level of drumming at 50. And to be perfectly honest, I am a better, more energetic drummer now than I was back then. I just had youth on my side at 20.

What To Eat On A Raw Food Diet

So, what foods does one eat while on a raw food diet?

In Summary

I could go into another article about the benefits of raw juices. But, just to share with you some favorites for boosting energy levels, I like to juice watermelons, carrots, cucumbers, and celery. And beet juice is quite good too.

After about a week on a mostly raw foods diet, you’ll notice a dramatic increase in your energy level. And it won’t be a quick, fleeting boost like what coffee or tea can give you… it’ll be a dramatic, constant energy boost that can carry you for the remainder of the day. So, if you’re interested in experimenting with a raw foods diet to give you more energy for performance, try it for a week and see what it can do.

“Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”—-Albert Einstein

Warning: This video shows the full impact of animal abuse and cruelty. It’s hard to watch because in reality, I don’t think anyone wants to watch animals getting slaughtered, nor would they enjoy such a thing:

. . . .

We Don’t Know What We Can’t See

I think that most people don’t really know what happens to the animals that become food on their plates. Usually the dead meat of animals are packaged in neat little styrofoam containers, wrapped in plastic wrap. Or, they come in bite-sized pieces like Chicken McNuggets or in sandwich form like a hamburger.

When we’ve come to know animal food in more manageable bite-sized pieces we don’t see the whole animal. But in essence we would be the main reason these animals are being slaughtered in the first place… because it’s a law of supply and demand.

We Have A Capacity For Compassion

But I feel people would think twice if they knew the animals they eat have been kicked, tortured, fed unnatural amounts of steroids and hormones, and slaughtered in the most cruel and inhumane way.

I remember watching a cow get slaughtered on a farm once, and also a pig. I think it was one of the most compelling reasons to become a vegetarian and vegan. I LOVE animals, and it just didn’t feel right to me that animals should be killed and slaughtered so that we could have a hamburger, or a steak.

The Difference Between Killing Animals and Killing Plants

People always rationalize that well, plants are living too. And aren’t we doing the same to plants?

Well, that may be true, but no one can deny the differences between killing animals and killing plants for food. If you watch the video, the poor animals are resisting and seemingly begging for their life. They look frightened.

Killing plants for food and killing animals for food… two distinct acts. But, the killing of animals seems more vicious and cruel.

Why A Few People Become Fruitarians

Perhaps that is why some vegans have become fruitarians. They don’t even want to kill plants. So, being a fruitarian would be to eat only the fruits, seeds and nuts that fall from the plants and trees.

So maybe what we were really meant to do was to follow what was said in Genesis:

Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you…”

Hmm… words to ponder… deeply.

Further Readings: Animal Aid UK

I recently took a few photos of what I [typically] eat as far as sushi goes. Below is my version of Raw Vegan Sushi. The only thing not raw here is the miso soup, but then again I’m not 100% raw vegan just yet. I tried in the past but it’s too hard for me, especially when the weather is cold.

Ingredients for the Raw Vegan Sushi Rolls:

Dried Organic Nori Sheet
Avocado Slices
Radish Sprouts
Spinach
Cucumber

…and a touch of simplicity!

I cheat a little by using veganaise to hold the rolls together. Veganaise is a vegan version of mayonaise, so it’s not really “raw”.

This tastes extremely good to me, and I’m not missing the sushi rice, believe it or not. It also tastes very clean, and heathy. A good clean energy boost

!

A while back I wrote a post entitled, The Best Superfoods, with the intention of creating a list of foods considered healthy enough (by many nutritionists) to be classified as “superfoods”.

In this post I’ll be concentrating on superfoods that can be eaten raw, or usually come in dried or powder form. In other words, my focus will be on superfoods that are suitable for raw foodists, foods packed with an amazing array of nutrients, amino acids and other beneficial ingredients.

What is a superfood?

Here are a few definitions worth noting:

Why eat superfoods?

The simple answer… because superfoods are healthier for you than say, a Big Mac or a bag of chips.

But seriously…

People interested in improving their health, boosting peak performance in sports, etc… (or simply wanting to improve their overall sense of well-being), can benefit substantially by eating foods that provide the most nutrients and life-enhancing properties. And this is where the whole concept of eating superfoods makes sense.

Incidentally, most (if not all) superfoods CAN be eaten in their raw, natural state. In fact, it makes perfect sense to eat superfoods raw for a couple of really good reasons:

That said, let’s take a look at our list of 8 essential raw superfoods.

. . . .

8 Essential Raw Superfoods For Optimum Health

And this wraps up my list of 8 Essential Raw Superfoods.

Here are some further readings to explore:

10 Superfoods For Age-Defying Beauty
Superfoods 101
The Sunfood Diet Success System
Superfoods Thought To Prevent Disease and Increase Longevity

. . . .

A couple of years ago I wrote a post entitled, Raw Foods: The Grand Experiment. I had already been a vegan for a number of years, and a vegetarian for more than two decades. Anyway, I’d been reading about the concepts of eating only raw foods online and in various books. And back when I initially wrote that previous article I thought I’d give raw foods a try.

The main concepts concerning a raw food diet were fascinating to me:

1. More Energy and Stamina

I’ve read about triathletes eating primarily a raw food diet to maintain higher energy levels for performance and endurance. So, being a musician and drummer, the idea of enhancing my performance through an optimum diet greatly interested me.

2. Optimum Health

In order to perform on a musical instrument and to perform at one’s highest level of performance, one needs to practice on his/her instrument for hours each day. But one can’t perform well unless he/she is physically, mentally, spiritually strong. So, maintaining optimal health is really something every musician should focus on.

3. Detoxifying Effects

I’d been reading from various sources that eating primarily a raw food diet has detoxifying effects, meaning that a raw food diet aids the body in getting rid of toxins and waste products that clogs the body and potentially contribute to a diseased state. Though the medical establishment has traditionally scoffed at the idea of detoxifying the body, there are many studies that point to the benefits of detoxifying the body.

4. Rejuvenating The Body

I’ve also been reading that, if there are any natural sources out there that help to rejuvenate the body and keep one looking as youthful as possible, it is the concept of eating raw foods that are natural and contain more micro-nutrients in relation to their macro-nutrient (carbohydrate, fat and protein) counterparts. This basically refers to foods that have a very high nutrient content while containing more fiber and less calories and fat. In other words, more bang-for-your-buck… more nutrition and less calories mean calorically less dense and good for the body.

My Raw Food Story

So from 2005 I began eating 75% raw food diet, but still maintaining a 100% vegan diet. And at the same time I found myself practicing Yoga everyday. So, between the Yoga and the raw food diet I did find I had more energy and felt quite healthy with more stamina especially with regards to my performances on drums and piano. My drum solos, especially, I felt were more focused and creative.

Falling Off The Raw Food Bandwagon

Then, somehow in the first part of 2007 I totally got off track. I even went as far as to eating red meat, chicken and and seafood but I’d always feel sick and unhealthy afterwards. Though I may have had cravings that probably stemmed from childhood, I just never felt as healthy when not a vegan or raw foodist. But the first half of 2007 was dealing with all this, and trying to get back to a more healthy lifestyle.

Getting Back On Track

During the latter half of 2007 I was able to fall back into a very healthy routine of exercise, eating raw foods and practicing Yoga once again, and I even became serious about gardening as an exercise and form of meditation. And going into 2008, I’ve been maintaining a successful routine since.

What I’ve been finding out with a raw food diet is that it’s a very clean diet. Raw foods get processed and assimilated into the body faster as opposed to eating animal foods, which tend to slow the body down because it takes more effort for the body to digest the animal foods. On a raw food diet one eats for the benefit of “feeling” extremely healthy as opposed to eating for the cravings and the tastes.

More Energy For Work and Play

It seems that eating a sensible raw food diet gives one more energy throughout the day. There are no need for naps, especially after lunch or a big dinner. And one doesn’t really need all that much sleep. During my performances my drum solos are more focused and they feel more effortless to me. And I think that boosts my creativity.

One needs to be sharp and focused when performing jazz music, or any music that is challenging, and the difference between eating a big steak and eating a raw garden salad is like night and day.

Raw Foods Will Benefit Even Meateaters

The important thing I’m noticing is to stick with eating a raw vegetable salad everyday. If you are not a vegetarian, ideally it’s beneficial to eat a raw garden salad at every meal. And for added energy, drink a raw smoothie preferably at least once in the morning for an added boost. I don’t drink coffee or go to Starbucks any more. There is no need for CAFFEINE! As of right now I’ve been caffeine free all of 2008.

If you are a devout meateater, or you are trying to eat sensibly with a chicken or seafood diet, eating more raw fruits and vegetables will definitely add to your health. I do think the rejuvenating benefits are there and it definitely helps to maintain a youthful appearance, even into middle age and beyond.

In summary, the raw food diet is definitely a healthy one, provided that mostly raw organic fruits and vegetables are eaten, rather than eating junk food. Though, with a raw food diet there is pretty much no junk food to eat at all…. and thus, out-of-sight, out-of-mind.

Stay tuned… as I’ll also be posting about the 10 Essential Raw Superfoods.

I love going to Whole Foods Market. There are two of them in San Diego that I know of, but I only go once-in-a-while when I have to buy some raw food products. Whole Foods is the ONLY grocery store I know of that features a dedicated “raw foods” section, located near the front of the store!

Anyway, I was reading this article about Whole Foods this morning. Supposedly, WalMart is going organic too! Will they successfully compete with Whole Foods by bringing to us organic foods that are cheaper? Who knows….

It’s hard to find fault with Whole Foods, the haute-crunchy supermarket chain that has made a fortune by transforming grocery shopping into a bright and shiny, progressive experience. Indeed, the road to wild profits and cultural cachet has been surprisingly smooth for the supermarket chain.

Local grocery stores may also have a small raw foods section (apart from the usual produce), but Whole Foods has this section that has all the serious, expensive items, like the best Agave Nectar, raw Cacao powder, raw Cacao nibs and various raw crackers. Whole Foods is also the only place where I can by “raw bread”, and I love those raw curry crackers, which no other store seems to carry.

Of course, above and beyond social and environmental ethics, and even taste, people buy organic food because they believe that it’s better for them. All things being equal, food grown without pesticides is healthier for you. But American populism chafes against the notion of good health for those who can afford it. Charges of elitism—media wags, in otherwise flattering profiles, have called Whole Foods “Whole Paycheck” and “wholesome, healthy for the wholesome, wealthy”—are the only criticism of Whole Foods that seems to have stuck.

Whole Foods has a good thing going… they’ve created a super-awesome ambience in which the aisles are fully stocked and items can be found in beautiful, natural wood shelves. They’ve got the awesome deli and food-to-go areas. Their produce seems to be the best and freshest out of all the stores I’ve been to, and socially speaking, it seems to attractive a LOT of the hip, progressive, environmentally conscious folks… as well as the rich.

Organic produce and foods… I am convinced that my family and I should eat organically grown foods free of pesticides and free of genetic engineering (I don’t care for salmon in my apples, thank you). But, the prices at Whole Foods are astronomical…

Granted, I mostly go for those rare raw food products I can’t find anywhere else. So, Whole Foods has that hold over me. But while there I end up buying other things. And though the experience of shopping in Whole Foods is very pleasant, and much hipper than going to other common supermarkets, there is always that big surprise when checking out at the cash register… I may buy what seems like just a few items, and suddenly those few items cost me $150!

I try not to go to Whole Foods too often. It’s expensive. And I really only go when I need things I can’t get anywhere else.

It just makes me wonder if places like Whole Foods is creating this gap between the poor and the rich, those who can afford to eat healthy foods versus those who can’t afford them. But that’s always been the way of the world.

However, I still love shopping at Whole Foods whenever I can. They definitely have made it feel hip and cool to go to the grocery store…

The one major thing I’ve learned from last year was that what one puts into his/her mouth determines who you are. I know, this might be a “given”, but honestly, how many people actually follow this philosophy seriously?

And in 2007 I found myself in both sides of the spectrum of eating. During the first half of 2007 I had reverted back to a fast food junkie lifestyle, and though I satisfied my (then) fast food cravings, I felt sick and unhealthy most of the time, not to mention fat. And it got to the point where one person mentioned to me that it looked like I had gained 20 lbs. Now that was embarrassing, and I hated that guy for mentioning it, but sadly enough it was true. I gained weight, I looked fatter, and I felt un-healthy.

By mid-2007 I had to do something.

I struggled with eating and ran/walked 5 miles a day. I did weight-training but then I sprained my right wrist (which was bad for me, being a drummer).

I needed to get back on track and back to feeling good about myself. And I’d always been vegetarian and for most of the decade have been vegan.

In the latter half of the year I had thought hard about going back to being a raw vegan, eating ultra-healthy superfoods again, and getting my energy level up again so I could burn more calories.

By Thanksgiving, I think I had gotten back in tune with being a serious raw vegan again. I didn’t succumb to eating Turkey, and people seemed to respect the fact that I was a raw vegan.

Now here we are in the new year of 2008.

My seriousness and dedication to the raw vegan lifestyle has really paid off, I feel. My energy level has dramatically improved and I feel like I could do a LOT throughout the day. I’ve found new energy to do all my chores and housekeeping duties, to do lots of gardening and practicing on piano and drums. The energy level I currently have is quite phenomenal, and being that I will be 50 years old this month!

The one thing I really addressed in 2007 regarding my food intake were my “cravings”. Often times, we confuse what is actually good and healthy for us for our present cravings! This is a very important thing to ponder on, because I feel that we all have cravings that might not necessarily benefit us health-wise.

And, regarding cooked foods… I think cooking not only destroys valuable enzymes, vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. Cooking also destroys our natural sense of taste for natural, wholesome foods like fruits and vegetables. This is somewhat fact, as I know of several friends who don’t eat any fruits and vegetables at all, favoring all cooked foods.

In the book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan, his food manifesto is simple:

Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.

One doesn’t have to be a raw vegan like myself (but trust me it would really help, in regards to one’s energy level). But at the very least… we need to all start eating more raw plant foods, and less processed and refined foods that are more devoid of nutrients than we care to realize.

Sorry to sound so “preachy” again. It’s just that when I get on a roll with topics like this, and I see myself transforming and feeling so much more healthier… I am simply expressing part of that outcome, which is a very positive feeling.

My wife has noticed an improvement in my appearance and complexion, so she’s trying to be more of a raw vegan as well, though she sometimes eats fish and other seafoods. But she mainly eats a lot of raw fruits and vegetables now. I definitely have noticed my complexion improve in the past few months. It’s been a subtle thing, but my wife mentioned that I had a glow about my face when I performed on TV last month. So…

Now I’m discovering the benefits of raw chocolate (cacao powder), goji berries, and agave nectar. For those who love chocolate, you don’t have to deny yourself that if you are a raw vegan. Raw cacao and raw agave nectar (as a sweetener) tastes even better than chocolate candy bars and much more healthier for you. I never could quite believe it myself but all the research online seems to be pointing to that fact. That raw chocolate is actually healthy, is considered a superfood, and contains lots of anti-oxidants, nutrients, and minerals.

Anway, this whole project of going raw vegan has definitely made me more aware that we are exactly what we eat. We need to eat more organic produce to avoid pesticides. We need to eat healthier for performance and for generally feeling great!

The movie “Supersize Me” is another source that drives that point home that we are what we eat…..

Dhrumil and his friend Gabe Anderson talk about what inspired them to create the daily raw food lifestyle blog, welikeitraw.com. Plus how the site is designed for the hipper, and not hippy side of raw living and how inspiring Sarma Melngailis’ posts are for their readers.

G Living Lifestyle

We Like It Raw is a great site for finding out about the Raw Foods community. And it actually IS a Raw Community. New York raw foods chef, Sarma Melngailis, has a blog on the site and her and site-founder Drumil Purohit are two people at the front of the Raw Revolution.

Also one of the top experts on the raw foods lifestyle is David Wolfe.

Chocolate (cacao) is considered a superfood, so in its purest form it IS an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients. The problem is how that cacao is processed to make it unhealthy for us.

NY Raw Chefs Sarma Melngailis and Matthew Kenney

One thing however, that I’ve noticed, is that the big Chocolate companies are now offering chocolates that are something like 75% cacao. The only problems I’ve seen in chocolates have always been the type of fat used and dairy products such as butter or milk, which contain cholesterol.

Well, it’s just nice to see all these Raw resources on the Internet popping up here and there. For a while, I thought I was alone in my discovery of the Raw Foods lifestyle. I’m still not 100% Raw and I think it would be too hard for me, but I do “feel” the difference when I eat like 75% raw or more.

Although I consider myself a “Raw Vegan” I am still a bit skeptical. But I’m still intent on doing all the research I can on nutrition and trying my best to apply what I’ve learned to my life experience. But so far, I’m pretty convinced that animal products tend to lead to heart disease, stroke and diabetes… while fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds seem to help the body to rejuvenate.

What would be my reasons for adapting a healthy diet?

Optimum Health

I supposed I am concerned about my health. Diagnosed with high blood pressure, I wanted to investigate all those foods that would be beneficial to me and would help lower my blood pressure.

Also, I know that in the past I’ve eaten a certain way and although the food tasted exquisite, it didn’t do my body good and in the end I felt miserable and sluggish.

And I do remember when I was a child and felt so much energy and just felt so great, as a musician I need to always feel that way now, because I know that the way I feel affects how I perform. Which brings me to my second reason…

Performance

In the 1990s, I remember that a LOT of my performance enhancing items (with regards to my drumming) fell into two categories:

1. Caffeine - I would have to go to Starbucks, or any coffee shop just to get my fix of caffeine just to wake up. I was dependent on it and always felt it was a type of drug that, in the end, didn’t do anything for me nutritionally. And, it made me lose a lot of sleep.
2. Ginseng - My life back then also consisted of taking vials of Red Panax Ginseng to enhance my musical performances on drums. I still think Ginseng extract is a good thing. My performances always seemed more focused and I seemed to be in the Zone more with Ginseng. And I still do.

But seriously, I’ve always wanted to eat the ideal diet that would help make me feel great and with abundant amounts of energy, and perhaps some energy on reserve.

And as I grow older, it’s more important for me as a musician to be physically fit and healthy. So, eating to benefit my performance is something I’ve always strived to perfect, and is an ongoing process to this day.

Weight Control

I’ve always had a problem with one particular food…. RICE!

Once I eat it, I’m not entirely satisfied unless I’ve eaten at least a couple of plates full of it. Then, because of my Filipino heritage, in the past I remember eating lots and lots of rice with chicken adobo and pork sihnigang, along with lots of fried lumpias (egg rolls), and noodles laden with lots of grease.

Some people seem to do well with eating the SFD (Standard Filipino Diet)… I myself don’t. I gain a lot of weight and no matter how much I exercise, I gain even more weight and feel sluggish all the time.

Eating pizzas, spaghetti, meatloaf, burgers, blah blah blah…. I would just gain and gain more weight. Then I would have to buy new clothes because I could no longer fit into my old clothes. It doesn’t sound right, does it?

What I’ve noticed about a raw vegan diet is that as far as weight goes, it’s easier to maintain and control one’s weight while eating lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts. There is lots of fiber, no empty calories, and more nutrition than eating a SAD (Standard American Diet).

So far with a raw vegan diet… I’m losing weight. And, I’m able to control my weight without having to do tons of exercise just to maintain my weight. And I’m able to eat a LOT of food, feeling lighter and with more energy. A raw vegan diet is definitely not a diet of deprevation as far as volume is concerned.

Ethical and Ecological Concerns

Believe it or not, I also became a vegan because of my concerns for animals.

For one, animals are “tested on” regularly in labs. And animals are used as food in a multi-billion dollar industry that is more concerned about profits than our health or the health of the animals that are killed for food. And from my research I’ve discovered how horrible those conditions are for cattle, pigs and chickens, etc…

I’ve always wondered why society has singled out certain animals for food and certain animals for pets. Shouldn’t all animals be treated equally, and fairly?

Once, when I was with the boy scouts, we witnessed a large cow get slaughtered for food. It was the most horrific sight I ever saw, and was one of the main experiences of my life that caused me to become a vegetarian.

Sure, it’s just an animal, and not a human. But it seems to me that animals have feelings too, and they don’t want to die. It seems that although they don’t have an advanced form of life that humans have… their lives should still be respected.

I know, I know….

The main argument is that, what about plants? They’re living things too. And perhaps they have feelings too and would feel pain as well.

But when you harvest and kill plants for food, as far as we know we can’t detect (at least to our senses) any suffering… what more when we slaughter a pig and hear it squeeling for it’s life?

So, as humans we make a conscious decision to draw the line somewhere. I would rather draw the line to where I’d spare all the animals and instead at all the plants. At least my conscious would feel better.

But this is just my personal decision, and we as humans can rationalize however we feel our lifestyles should be. But I been feeling compassion for all the animals in recent years. So, by consciously avoiding all animal products I guess I’m not hoping that helps keep those animals alive that would’ve been slaughtered for my benefit.

Well, this last reason is the most controversial.

. . . .

But to summarize… my food experiences have lately been a Scientific experiment to see which foods make me feel great both immediately and in the long run.

The more I investigate the human consumption of animal products, the more I read that too much animal foods can lead to stroke, heart disease and diabetes. Where one moderates when it comes to animal products is up to the individual. For me, when my doctor gave me a sheet of paper that said would I could and couldn’t eat, most (if not all) animal products were eliminated from the diet. With exception to seafood once or twice a week….

…once or twice a week!

That’s practical a vegan diet already.

I rationalized… might as well eliminate those two servcings of fish and become a vegan?

And the more I read about raw foods, the more I experiment with focusing on raw foods and how it’s making my body feel.

Raw foods seems to be a step in the right direction. But, is all cooked foods actually detrimental, and perhaps a form of slow poison? That would be hard to say, since most humans nowadays enjoy their foods cooked.

. . . .

Refined Sugars and Refined Grains

Recent studies I’ve been reading have pointed out to a reduction in white flour products, like donuts and pastries, etc… Obviously though, I think everyone by now knows that foods made with white flour and refined sugars are bad for you.

Moderation is the key. But, how much is moderation? And what happens if someone completely eliminates those things from one’s diet?

I figure that, if someone had an occasional donut or two after church. Or, an occasional indulging in apple pie or cake, is not going to hurt one.

Who knows…. in the end it all boils down to the individual’s personal experiences with food.

. . . .

Anyway, from my personal experience, I’m going through a period where I’m literally “deconstructing” my whole concept of eating. Questioning why I’ve been eating certain foods in the past. Experimenting with what makes me feel good and what impacts me negatively.

All my research and experimentation has brought me to this “raw vegan” lifestyle. By eating foods with a lot of fiber and roughage, my stomach is feeling satisfied without taking on too many calories. And foods containing more vitamins and minerals give me that added energy and don’t weigh me down. And I end up eating more while controlling my weight.

Life, though, continues on and is a process of continual change. Hopefully, it is evolving as it should and for the better…..

It’s amazing how much my appetite has changed, how I’ve realized that I’ve had certain cravings for foods that weren’t exactly good for my body. Humans can change bad habits in 19 days, from what I’ve read. I don’t know where I’ve read that but it sounds right.

Well, it’s better for me to crave cucumber juice and broccoli, rather than crave a Big Mac and fries. So, let the deconstructing begin!

My one big reason for trying to eat as healthy as possible…. performance! While drumming and working as a musician. Plus, being able to feel really great!

So in my dedicated search for the best foods possible for optimum health, I find there are lists of superfoods all over the web, and I’ve come upon some interesting lists that pretty much have the same stuff.

And incidentally, most if not all, are foods raw vegans CAN eat, thank God… so basically, most if not all, superfoods CAN be ingested in their RAW state.

And for you Salmon lovers, even Salmon is considered a superfood (on Wikipedia’s list of superfoods) can be eaten raw as Sashimi.

So, let’s take a look at some of the healthiest foods on the planet.

Apples

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away…”

An old saying, but it remains true. Aside from the obvious fiber content, apples have antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols. Containing lots of nutrients, apples also are one of those few foods (celery included) that actually require more calories to digest than the calories they contain.

Avocados

Like olives, avocados contain healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, the so-called good cholesterol, as well as fiber, potassium, magnesium, folate and antioxidants. Avocados help the body absorb more nutrients from other foods — the tomatos in the same salad, or in salsa.

Blueberries

Blueberries contain antioxidants of many kinds, including anthocyanins and other polyphenols, and carotenoids. They also have fiber, folic acid and vitamins C and E. And they taste good with very few calories.

Dark Chocalate

I’ve been going for the raw Cacao powder, in which Dark Chocolate originates.

The magic word here is flavonoids, the same kinds of antioxidants that make tea so potent a health brew. Research shows flavonoids have a role in helping lower blood pressure and in keeping your arteries from clogging — both good news for your heart. Only dark chocolate does the trick, not milk or white. And the more cocoa solids the better — look for the percentage on the label.

Kiwis

Vitamin C, vitamin C, vitamin C — kiwis are loaded in this antioxidant, which also makes oranges a superfood. Kiwis rival bananas in potassium, pound for pound. And flavonoid antioxidants abound in the skin, which is edible but best if you rub the fuzzy stuff off first.

Oats

Kings o’ fiber, oats also deliver protein, potassium, magnesium and other minerals, and phytonutrients, including antioxidants. Their cholesterol-lowering powers are well known, and all that fiber is also believed to help stabilize blood sugar. Oats’ combination of nutrients appears to have more healthy effects than if each nutrient were consumed separately — which seems to be true of all whole grains. And, they’re inexpensive.

Spinach

What doesn’t spinach have? It’s loaded with lutein (great for eyes) and many other carotenoids, which are healthful antioxidants; plus other antioxidants like coenzyme Q, in serious doses; plus several B vitamins plus C and E; plus iron and other minerals; plus betaine, a vitamin-like nutrient research suggests is good for your heart. And with almost no calories, you can eat as much as you want. Also good for similar reasons: kale, chard and other dark leafy greens.

Spirulina

Spirulina is something I’ve recently been getting into, and it’s a complete protein, meaning it has the nine essential amino acids humans need in order to make protein. And there is B12 and the rest of the B Complex vitamins, as well as minerals and antioxidants.

Walnuts

All nuts have been rehabbed as good-for-you foods, for their healthy fats and micronutrients. A few go a long way, though, as they are calorie bombs. Walnuts’ main claim to stardom are their omega-3 fatty acids, which fight heart disease. Other goodies: plant sterols, which lower cholesterol, and lots of antioxidants.

Yogurt

I have been eating vegan yogurt, which should have the same probiotic benefits.

Nutritionist Jo Ann Hattner says if she could pick only two superfoods, they would be yogurt and tea, because their health-giving attributes have been known for centuries. Yogurt’s claim to fame is live cultures, also called probiotics or beneficial bacteria. They are what turns milk into yogurt (but some commercial yogurts are heated to kill the cultures after they do their work, so be sure to read the label). In your gut, they fight bad bacteria, aid digestion, help metabolize food and generally tune your system up. Yogurt also is a good source of calcium and protein.

[ taken from sfgate.com ]

A Long List From Wikipedia: Superfoods

* Dark chocolate[3]
* Berries: blueberries[1], goji berries[3], and acai berries[3]
* Beans [1]
* Broccoli [1]
* Oats [1]
* Oranges [1]
* Pumpkin [1]
* Salmon [1]
* Spinach [1]
* Tomatoes [1]
* Turkey [1]
* Walnuts [1]
* Yogurt [1]
* Spirulina
* Green tea and white tea from the camellia sinensis plant (also black tea, but with less benefits)[1]
* Nettle leaf
* Horsetail
* Alfalfa leaf
* Dandelion leaf
* Kamut grass
* Oat grass
* Burdock root
* Kale
* Parsley
* Ginger root
* Rose hips
* Orange peel and lemon peel
* Beet root
* Lemon grass
* Bilberry leaf
* Black walnut leaf
* Red raspberry leaf
* Goldenseal leaf
* Rosemary leaf
* Watercress

My latest vegan concoction is a Raw Organic Cacao Smoothie (with Himalayan Goji Berries)!

I simply mix the following ingredients in a blender:

1 organic banana
1 tablespoon 100% raw organic cacao powder (raw chocolate)
1 tablespoon 100% raw organic brown sugar
1 cup organic soy milk
1 capful organic vanilla extract
1 handful raw organic pumpkin seeds
1 handful Himalayan Goji Berries
1 handful organic blueberries
1 pinch Celtic Sea Salt
12 ice cubes

Makes approx. 2 servings

Note: Goji Berries are actually a complete protein, containing 18 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids that the human body needs and can not produce.

Raw Cacao, Goji Berries, Pumpkin Seeds and Blueberries are considered super foods.

But aside from the obvious nutritional benefits that this smoothie contains… it tastes quite good!

For the first time yesterday, I actually brought an ice chest to the gig yesterday. It contained bottled water, raw vegan bars, raw chocolate, green energy drinks and ginseng extract. The band WAS fed a nice dinner and I had my vegan dinner, which was delicious. But it wasn’t really enough. I need more food as a vegan. And, I’m finding that my digestive system doesn’t react too kindly to cooked foods now. Ayway, the only thing I forgot was a nice big vegan sandwich.

. . . .

Discovering that I had newfound energy with my current eating habits, I found myself falling asleep at the wheel around 3am in the morning, coming home from my out-of-town gig last night.

Yesterday I woke up at around 5am. I did gardening, cleaning around the house, going to the dry cleaners, buying groceries and putting them all away in the refrigerator. The prepared my clothes and loaded my drums into the van. Drove 2 plus hours to the gig, performed the gig from 6:30pm to 11:30pm.

And after loading my drums back into the van I had to drive to UC Riverside in the rain to pick up my son at around 1am in the morning. To make matters even more difficult, I got lost going from the gig to UC Riverside in the rain. Somehow I found myself in Orange County.

Good think our saxophonist, Jim, was carpooling with me.

So, after finally picking up my son at around 2am. I made the final journey back to San Diego, finding myself having to pinch myself because I was falling asleep at the wheel.

But I finally made it home!

And I just noticed that I was actually awake then, from 5am to 3:30am… almost a full 24 hours duration!

This raw vegan diet really gives one a lot of energy, but one has to respect one’s limits of physical endurance.

I have another gig tonight, but I really need to take it easy today.

The following are random things I’ve discovered about exploring a mostly raw vegan lifestyle.

1. Energy. Energy. Energy… = Go Go Go…
2. I seriously need to buy a dehydrator and a food processor.
3. I like basil leaves in my vegan sandwiches!
4. Carrots turn my juicer orange. Must clean right away.
5. I LOVE cucumber juice, and taste that it really is a melon.
6. Carrot juice really makes me hyper.
7. Celery juice is the easiest to juice; though my least favorite.
8. Apple juice from the juicer is the best.
9. My current favorite seeds are 100% organic raw pepitas.
10. There are more people going raw than I imagined.
11. Lots of raw vegan videos on YouTube. So now I don’t feel so alone. :)
12. Lots of raw foodies on Flickr too. With awesome photos.
13. A fresh garden salad is so beneficial to digestion. Even meateaters should always have a fresh salad with their meals.
14. I get headaches now when I have coffee or white sugar.
15. Saving all those fruit and vegetable scraps; great for the compost pile!
16. Being a raw vegan and organic gardens at home go hand-in-hand. Money saving.
17. I LOVE avocados!

Someone I know who is a promoter of a meateater’s diet would always comment on my vegan/vegetarian diet by saying that he once knew someone who was vegetarian but she still got cancer. Well, the only thing I can say to that is that there are vegetarians who abstain from eating all animal products but still eat junk food and avoid a well-balanced diet. Just as there are healthy-minded meateaters and un-healthy-minded meateaters.

If you’re a vegan (for instance) and all you eat are potato chips and coke (which technically would be a vegan diet) then one isn’t taking full advantage of being a health-conscious vegan who really eats a wide variety of foods (fruits & vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, etc). You could also say you’re a vegan even though all you eat is peanut butter and strawberry jam on white bread! But because it isn’t a balanced and varied diet, it isn’t healthy.

So it’s the same principle actually, that logically there would be healthy meateaters and unhealthy meateaters, diet-wise, just as there would be junk-food junkie vegans and health-nut vegans.

Well, this one meateater basically eats pizza, meatloaf, and spaghetti, shunning all fruits and vegetables and professes to be a meat and potatoes kind-of-guy. Okay, that’s cool and I respect other people’s beliefs and opinions in regards to food.

I actually also heard this from a doctor: That food and nutrition don’t play all that much of a role in whether one will get cancer or not.

But most dieticians stress a diet of moderation, YET, they will emphasize that we eat wholesome, nutritious foods and get plenty of exercise in order to maintain our health.

Okay, here’s an interesting PDF, which offers guidelines for healthy and nutritious eating, from the American Dietetic Association:

Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2005)

Here’s what they say about vegetarian diets (to dispel all the meateaters out there)….

Vegetarians of all types can achieve recommended nutrient intakes through careful selection of foods. These individuals should give special attention to their intakes of protein, iron, and vitamin B12, as well as calcium and vitamin D if avoiding milk products. In addition, vegetarians could select only nuts, seeds, and legumes from the meat and beans group, or they could include eggs if so desired.

At the 2,000 calorie level, they could choose about 1.5 ounces of nuts and 2/3 cup legumes instead of 5.5 ounces of meat, poultry, and/or fish. One egg, 1/2 ounce of nuts, or 1/4 cup of legumes is considered equivalent to 1 ounce of meat, poultry, or fish in the USDA Food Guide.

What is health?

To me, optimum health is the absence of sickness and disease (dis-ease) and a feeling of overall happiness, peace and emitting a glow of radiance that would make one look and feel healthy. And also having the ability to function (mentally, physically and spiritually) at an optimum level.

In other words, one has to look and feel healthy and vibrant.

And this is my own personal goal, as I forge ahead and work at being a healthy individual at my age. And I believe it IS work. One has to work at it… one has to work at anything in order to reap the rewards, no?

I recently read an online interview with Jack LaLanne. He’s the guy most fitness experts consider the Godfather of Fitness, and he shows it at age 93. This is an interesting read and lots of revelations in regards to his journey of healthy eating and fitness.

He was initially a strict vegetarian who got caught up in all the hype about meat being the main source of protein for athletes and switched to eating meat for awhile. This meateating trend for him was shortlived, and he says that he, for the most part, has eaten a vegetarian diet with the addition of fish and egg whites for protein. And he shuns all dairy products because of the cholesterol and saturated animal fats.

Ever since I did my Master Cleanse fast a few weeks ago, I have since followed a strict vegetarian diet consisting of fresh (mostly organic) fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains (sprouted). And there is no animal products whatsoever in my diet now.

As some of you readers know from recent entries, I had gone off the primarily raw vegan lifestyle, and went back to my usual meateating ways for much of 2007. And I’ve come to the conclusion that I should really stick to the mostly raw vegan diet. For one, the energy levels are obvious with the raw vegan diet, and the feeling of lightness is also readily apparent. My main problem with sticking to a raw vegan diet is mainly psychological because I’m constantly bombarded by friends and relatives who tell me that the raw vegan diet is wrong and that I should eat everything else they eat (the hamburgers, fries, pizzas, steaks, omelettes,etc) in order to be healthy.

But, having experienced difficulties in going back to a regular Standard American diet, suffering from chronic constipation, feeling lethargic most of the time, AND having gained a considerable amount of weight, I guess it took getting back to the old diet to realize that it really wasn’t the right way to eat.

So, here I am on my journey back to healthy eating.

I’m feeling excellent so far, I’m “regular” no doubt, and have more energy to exercise and do yoga again. Yes, along with yoga and meditation, I’m feeling pretty good. And being in optimum health, I believe, is incredibly hard work and takes some discipline, but the rewards are there once optimum health is achieved and maintained.

I’m beginning to realize that you can have everything in the world, but if you lose your health, you just can’t appreciate and experience those wonderful things in the world to its fullest.

Well, enough talk about healthy eating… here’s to everyone’s health! May everyone live healthy, long and prosperous lives.

Here’s another “vegan” recipe for those hot summer days. This has been my favorite so far. Feel free to adjust ingredients to your own personal taste buds. Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS:

4 ice cubes *
1 cup frozen bananas (cut into pieces before freezing)
1 cup “very vanilla” soy milk (silk brand)
1 heaping tablespoon of trader joe’s organic cocoa powder
1 pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup trader joe’s organic maple syrup

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Makes 2 servings.

* I use a few ice cubes to get a more “frappe” texture, but you can skip the ice cubes if you wish.

This is a very healthy, low-fat alternative to a Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino. Save yourself some money and cool off this Summer with this coffee-less “vegan mocha frappuccino”. You will get a serious “brain-freeze” with this…

INGREDIENTS

24 - ice cubes
2 - tablespoons of raw organic cocoa powder
2 - teaspoons of organic vanilla extract
1 - cup of soy milk (silk brand) *
1/4 - cup of raw organic agave nectar **
1 - pinch of sea salt

Simply place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Makes 2 servings.

* you can use vanilla-flavored soy milk and skip the two teaspoons of vanilla extract if you like.

** agave nectar is the sap from the agave cactus. It’s sweeter than sugar or honey and has a low glycemic index. I get my agave nectar from Whole Foods.

Raw Food Eaters Thin But Healthy - People who follow a raw food vegetarian diet are light in weight but healthy, according to US researchers.

The lower bone mass is down to raw food eaters being slim, believe the authors.

. . . .

I’m still vegan, but I went back to a 100% raw food diet starting this week. I’ve been eating about 75% raw foods anyways, so it would be easy to go 100% “raw” again… after becoming re-inspired by this BBC article. I’ll let you all know how it goes and how I’m feeling…

[tags]raw foods, vegan, veganism, living foods[/tags]

A long time ago… I was visiting The Philippines, and there was a celebration. And they were going to kill a pig for this celebration. Read more »

If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be a vegetarian.
—-Paul McCartney

I wrote about Cilantro Live! before (see: Dining At Cilantro Live!) when I went there by myself for the first time to check it out. This time my wife took me, this time for a proper lunch (the last time, our dining experience was cut short by an emergency, so we had to leave early).

Sampler Platter from Cilantro Live!

The Cheeseburger Royale from Cilantro Live!

So, today was my birthday, and we finally sat down for lunch, had a nice window seat, and enjoyed a nice organic raw vegan meal without any disruptions. The food was heavenly… very fresh and full of flavor and texture!

This time I ordered the “Cheeseburger Royale” which came with a fairly large garden salad consisting of a light vinaigrette-type dressing that was very light and fresh. The actual veggie burger was totally raw:

Our house burger served on freshly prepared almond pulp/flax seed/buckwheat buns. The patty made of sun-dried tomatoes,flax seeds, red peppers, garlic & mushrooms. A layer of cashew cheese, all topped with ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion and avocado.

My wife ordered what I ordered the first time I was at Cilantro, the “Sampler Platter”:

2 Nori rolls, 1 Spring roll, 1 Buenos Vida Wrap, 2 Raw-violis, 1 Mini Pizzzaza and Small House Salad

For desert we shared a scoop of raw vegan vanilla ice cream… heavenly, and tasted just like regular vanilla ice cream, even better… we couldn’t believe it was made with cashews!

Overall, Cilantro Live! is an awesome place to dine out for the vegan, and for anyone who wishes to try something a bit adventurous and different.

. . . .

Afterward we went to the theater and watched Woody Allen’s Match Point… excellent movie. If you love the UK and London in particular, you’ll love the fact that this movie was filmed there, with lots of great shots of the Thames River and the English Countryside… upper society living!

Here’s a book I just purchased called Raw Food, Real World, by two New York City chefs who converted to being raw vegans and opened a raw vegan restaurant called Pure Food and Wine.

. . . .

I would say I’m about 85 to 90% raw foods vegan.

People always ask me one of two questions:

1. Are you getting enough protein?

2. Isn’t your diet too restrictive?

Well… the two questions may vary from person-to-person but it’s basically the same issue concerning “protein” and “restrictive”.

So, let’s analyze this:

I’m vegan so I’ve basically given up all animal foods.

And I eat primarily raw foods so that eliminates foods that are cooked.

What do I avoid?

Eggs, dairy products, meats, fish and poultry. And anything that’s cooked.

What can I eat?

Apples, oranges, bananas, grapefruit, radishes, papaya, mangos, watermelon, broccoli, spinach, red leaf lettuce, romaine lettuce, arugula, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, tangerines, jicama, celery, orange juice, avocados, apple juice, pineapples, honeydew, cantalope, blueberries, blackberries, red cabbage, limes, lemons, grapes, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, dates, raisins, cilantro, basil, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli sprouts, daikon sprouts, soy milk, almond milk….

Okay, you all get the picture. hehe… there is still a large variety of foods I can eat being a raw foods vegan.

I also use extra-virgin olive oil (which is pressed), and I do eat only one type of bread that is multi-grain sprouted bread (which is baked). I also use veganaise (a vegan version of mayonaise), and I do drink red wine on occasion (which is fermented grapes). And sometimes I will eat tofu (which is initially boiled).

So I haven’t gone 100% raw just yet, but I am a strict vegan. And by strict I really mean that I avoid all animal products, but in the diet sense of the word I am by no means restricted. I can still eat a LOT of foods within the raw vegan kingdom.

As far as protein is concerned. I’ve done enough research to see that the body assembles amino acids into protein. And protein and the 8 essential amino acids can be found in a variety of plant foods. A big concern among vegans is the need for vitamin B12 which is found in meat, but is also available in soybeans, barley, and spinach. Another concern is omega-3 fatty acids typically found in fish, which can be found in flaxseed oil, and dark green leafy vegetables.

The main objective however is how one feels. I’m feeling more energy. And so much more lighter. I feel more… alive… by eating primarily raw, live foods that still have their enzymes intact to aid in digestion.

If I were a meateater I’d still eat primarily raw foods because of their benefits. And I’d probably stick to raw animal foods such as sashimi and some raw sushi.

But, so far I’m happy being a raw foods vegan.

This mission of being a raw foods vegan is a big experiment for me. I don’t mean to come across as being a preacher of veganism, because in the end, life is like a great big experiment. You try things out and see if they fit your needs. And if it works for you, then by all means, it’s a matter of going with whatever works for you.

So far, after focusing primarily on vegan sandwiches and green leafy salads, drinking carrot juice and sipping soy mochas, I’d have to say that so far I’m feeling “excellent”!

When I say “excellent” I’m not just throwing the word around frivilously. For one, many of you who are longtime readers will recall that many times I’d been suffering from depression and feeling a low self-esteem.

Changing my diet has transformed me in many ways that have impacted me on a very positive level.

Now keep in mind, that I’ve been focused on doing Yoga along with this raw foods vegan diet. And I’m at a point where I definitely don’t crave anything bad… like fast food at McDonalds or a big bag of barbecue potato chips! I am so far from that it’s rather amazing that I’ve lost those cravings.

One thing that I’ve noticed (and I firmly believe this is not my imagination or a placebo effect) is that my level of energy has greatly increased. I have no problems getting through a demanding big band gig and even after the gig I feel like I could play for another 4 hours! The difference in energy level between my old diet and my new one is totally insane! It’s like, I’m feeling 18 again! Seriously…

Anyways, I’ve been very busy in real life, so my online activities have slowed down a bit.

I’m getting ready for the big trip to Europe, and now it’s only 2 weeks away. So, I’m preparing for this 2 week trip as if I was preparing for The Amazing Race. So, just 2 more weeks and we’re off…….

Tiffany at the Bistro gave me one of these raw vegan energy bars, called a “Larabar”, so I tried it out and it was quite tasty! (thanks Tiffany). I’ll have to buy more of these at Trader Joe’s.

I’m still sticking to raw vegetable salads and raw veggie sandwiches. I’m allowing myself to eat bread that is 100% sprouted, although I think my current diet is still about 90% raw foods.

The diet has been going very well, and I’ve found it an easy transition, although the change itself is thought to be a major one… giving up all animal products, plus eating only raw foods, mostly. People today are used to eating cooked meals.

I’d say the only problems are actually in social settings, when people have to ask why I’m not eating, and I have to tell them there isn’t anything there for me to eat! Then I have to explain that I’m a strict vegetarian for ethical as well as health reasons.

Ugh! Server was down, and the webhost transferred all my domains to a new server somewhere in Texas! It’s good to be back….

. . . .

Yesterday I became a member of PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: The Animal Rights Organization.

I had a good talk with Tiffany, the bartender at the Bistro, and we talked about animal rights, veganism, and a raw foods diet. So, in keeping with my Vegan lifestyle and some inspiration coming from Tiffany (thanks, Tiffany!), I’ve made a commitment to join PETA, and I have.

In addition, I’ve decided to become a raw foodist, which is like 2 steps beyond your basic vegetarian diet that allows dairy products and eggs. One big step beyond that is the Vegan diet which essentially excludes all animal products used for food, clothing, etc. And another big step beyond going Vegan is a Raw Foods diet, which excludes cooking, and eating plant-based foods in their raw, natural state.

I am becoming transformed…