The Raw Panda

What's Going On Here? Part 1

2011-09-09T00:21:00.001+01:00

"Supplements & Superfoods... Should We Take Them?"

Well, this may be an ongoing article as there is so many points I keep finding about this, and similar subjects, that I NEED to get out of my head and into the world... I will also say that if I write about any particular makes or brands I am not getting ANY money for mentioning them... I am speaking from my experiences I've had throughout my life... so, well.... here you go:

I've been noticing that a lot of people in the raw food movement are swearing off supplements and superfoods calling them ‘unnecessary’. I'm not sure why there has been such an increase in this mode of thinking, but I wanted to highlight some of the reasons I've come across and why I believe that such a cut and dry belief like this about supplements is not in the best interest of health without some form of research. I’m still researching my own conclusions when it comes to my well being, keeping in mind that (although we are all one;) everyone is physically different:

A) "My diet is natural and nutritious, so I don't need them.."

B) "Supplements and superfoods are all a ploy to make money, they don't work."

C) "I don't like [insert raw guru here] because I think he/she is a snake-oil salesman."

D) "Well, Dr. [insert raw guru here] says we don't need it. I don't trust anyone else."

Ok, looking at Point A... I personally do not agree, and this is my humble, common sense opinion as to why: Because the majority of the population cannot get food that has been grown in nutrient rich, mineralized, virgin organic soil away from potential GMO contamination, Agri-biz runoff, etc... If we normally ate natural, whole foods grown in that kind of pure environment, then yes, I WOULD agree... BUT Agri-biz being what it is, farming methods, fertilizers[organic or not], selective breeding for ease of harvest and not for nutrition, aerosol particulates sprayed into the sky c/o weather modification experimentation, landfills, water fluoridation/chlorination among so many other factors, means that we are not living in the ideal environment that is conducive to avoiding supplementation. If you want to find out more info on vitamin additives research supplement ‘excipients’.. ß [Keywords] As long as your multivitamin is from whole food sources you’ll be ok as long as you avoid un-natural additives. Now, ALL that being said, the TYPES of supplements, or the integrity of the brand and quality of the supplement, if you will, that you put into your body is what is important. DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
If you’re not supplementing, or even if you are, what we can do is keep track of nutrient intake from food for a couple of weeks or so by using a nutrition tracker on sites like SparkPeople.com or ‘Cron-O-Meter’ so as to see what nutrients you do or don’t get on a regular basis and correct any deficiencies you may notice. You’d be surprised at what you don’t get enough of.

Point B Although this can be true in some cases, it is not true in EVERY case, so it’s a little ridiculous to make such a blanket statement. I have personally taken both supplements AND superfoods. With certain supplements, I have noticed SIGNIFICANT changes, for the better, in my health and well being. Some have the quality expected and some are little more than a cheap brand. Case in point: B12... for example, I’ve used the NOW Brand Chewable Methyl-B12 and it is the ONLY B12 supp. that has made a noticeable physical difference in how I feel... now there is a possibility that I could have been deficient at the time, but that’s how I know it worked... at least I know which brand I will choose if any deficiency (pernicious anaemia) rears its ugly head anytime in the future. On the other hand, I would not rely on "fortified" processed foods of any kind to make sure I got my intake of any particular BIO-AVAILABLE nutrient like B12... this is an example why!

Now we're at C & D which kind of go together... with C, I just want people to be reminded that constant criticism of another person says nothing about them and EVERYTHING about you... meaning > AGGRESSION DOES NOT EQUAL PASSION!! You're fooling yourself if you think otherwise. Becoming full of yourself, actually saying you are better than others is, quite frankly, superficial, ridiculous and makes you ugly regardless of your outward appearance. You will definitely make people go in the opposite direction and eat a big cheeseburger [or get smacked by 'karma'! lol..] just because of your attitude, and anyway, how is that even remotely close to 'helping people'? And anyway, I thought we in the raw food world were supposed to be loving and accepting of each other regardless of the path we're on! It makes no sense... Which is why I've become a Cult Co-Leader, lmao...

And, finally we have D... and this is where it goes with C... Raw Foods is not a religion, it’s a lifestyle. Not everything is ideal for everyone, (which is where 411 comes into play). Listen, there is no one specific raw foods bible. What you consider your raw bible is definitely not the same as the one that inspired me!! If you want to “spread the vegan message”, then great! It’s more of a healthy and clean lifestyle than most... but it is not a religion! And oh my Holy G-d if someone isn’t vegan... I mean the venom that gets unleashed, even when someone agrees with you! Maybe there is something to this whole ‘not enough minerals’ with you fruities, lol... I kid! I’m kidding, lol.. My point is, relaaaaax.... you lower your B12 when you get wound up! We’re all ONE! Just BE! We all need to go on a ‘BE’-tox sometimes. Maybe now’s a good time for a lot of people with all this agitation I see.

I hope no one is offended at anything in this post... taking offense is a choice, let’s choose to let others have their opinions and practice some ‘agreements’... we need more calm in this world, not more chaos.

Harriet & Lisa on raw Foods...

2011-09-02T18:04:00.000+01:00

The Raw Panda Presents Harriet and Lisa on Raw Foods
by: TheRawPanda

Have YOU heard about the 411??

2011-08-29T09:59:00.002+01:00

Ok, we've just discovered something that's ALWAYS been part of a healthy RAW lifestyle, yet we didn't even know we were a part of it! And you know what? YOU might even be a part of it, too!!

What is the New 411 Cult?

First off, what is a 'cult'?
"a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. "

Now for the 411 - You know when you dial 411 to get 'information' on your telephone? It's just like this except the concept is, instead of dialing your phone, you're dialing into the conciousness of your own body to 'feel' and 'know' what is right for YOU to make YOU feel healthy...

It's AB-SOUL-UTELY THE MOST POPULAR RAW FOODS concept on the web, and no one even knows it or realizes they do it! If you feel ab-soul-utely amazing and healthy with your raw choices but you're not '100% raw' or struggling with your '811' path, it's ok... we are NOT all the same. Nothing is EVER 'One Size Fits All'. It's easier for some, harder for others. BUT - it's difficult to FAIL on the 411 diet... in fact, 'failure' doesn't even exist on the 411, not even as a word... but what DOES exist... are RESULTS!! Use the 'information' you have to make 'healthy' choices, move your body, get RESULTS. 411 will never demand, criticise or disown you from the vast 411 community if you didn't 'fruit yourself'.

If you want the 411 about the 411, check it out at the source on facebook!
Follow Your Intuition And Make Adjustments As Needed! No Right or Wrong

Empowerment, NOT criticism!
We are human Super Beings, not Robots!

You can "Fruit Yourself" into an OCD tizzy, or use the info to get healthy!

YES!!!

2011-08-20T12:08:00.001+01:00

It has finally happened... NEW laptop!!! No more shared computer!!! And that means more blog posts from ME!!! WOOOOT!!!

Mike Adams Talks to Alex Jones About the FDA

2011-08-18T10:05:00.000+01:00

Why Eat Whole Foods Instead of Processed Foods? Here's an Example...

2010-11-23T11:26:00.001Z

How are these "fortified" elements in any way bioavailable to the human body? If we are to absorb minerals like iron they have to be in natural ionic form, like in green leafy vegetables, or in an appropriate dietary supplement... not actual metallic filings. Even colloidal minerals are to big for absorption in most cases...

And just like that, I'm back...

2010-11-22T22:37:00.000Z

Needless to say I haven't dropped off the face of the earth, lol... but I've gone from this:

To this:

So, yeah... been busy, lol.... This is Aiobheann Isabella, aka 'Evie', and she's BEAUTIFUL, welcome her to earth!! Born 5am Halloween morning, (fun birthdays ahead ;) at 10lbs. 12ozs *yikes*... yep, ya heard me, she's already a toddler, lol... :/

Anyway, I couldn't find the energy for barely anything the whole 9 months almost and, unfortunately, also couldn't be bothered to type any new posts with the way I was feeling, BUT I am feeling better now that she's OUT.

I must say, though, she's the best thing to happen to my anemia,(and me) my body took over and, although I had to keep taking my iron tabs, the whole not bleeding every month thing kinda helped (sry, TMI) as well as the internal boost in absorption of nutrients from the state of just being pregnant. I did make sure I got the vitamins and minerals I needed: iron, vit D3, b vits etc. and, regardless of my cravings, I was very concious about getting AT LEAST 5 a day of fruit & veggies and I made sure they were raw... I didn't deny myself most of the cravings but I was aware of what was an 'addiction' craving (and adjusted/substituted accordingly) & what was a 'baby' craving...

Example:

Chocolate bar w/ nuts = addiction

Sardines mixed w/ avocados = baby

Yes, I did eat that... on crackers... and, yes, ew. <><

BTW, before my hiatus I was awarded the undeserved 'Beautiful Blogger' Award by my friend Evelyn Parham from naturalrawliving.com and I never was able to thank her properly, I need to make a post about it soon.

I will be back to posting relevent material that inspires me(and you, too) to get on/back on the healthy choices wagon working up to high RAW... I am making the commitment again, starting out slow because I'm breastfeeding the wee one. See you soon!

Where Have I Been? Well...

2010-04-12T14:46:00.001+01:00

Well, THIS has been what's going on:

My cravings have been HAYWIRE and it's been sooo hard to stay raw, I wouldn't have felt honest being 'The Raw Panda' and posting things with all these cravings I've been having... the stomache upset is *almost* over, though, give or take another week or 2 then I will be back onto my RAW foodie-ness! (WOOHOO!) I have been unable to tolerate apples, bananas, lettuce, zucchini(spell check?) and any of the usual good stuff... I had a salad w/ fresh fennel in it and got reeeeally sick, then caught some stomache bug which gave me diarrea(TMI, & more spell check, lol) for, brace yourself, TWO WEEKS! the only thing that kept me from throwing up was organic baby food... apples&bananas, oatmeal etc... I have been craving pasta... yeah, I know.. and BOILED spinach and, get this, a 1 inch thick steak, MEDIUM-RARE?! Haven't had it, I resisted, but I'm beginning to think the anemia has something to do with those last 2. Needless to say it's been a weird first tri-mester... what I have also been craving, thank goodness, (and yet cannot FIND) recently are MANGOES!!! I need a fricken mango, daggummit.

Anyway, I have been feeling wierd and crappy and only have the patience for facebook... I haven't even been playing my FB games either, which is weird for someone like me, lol... so in a nutshell, I'm still alive and The Raw Panda still exists, just having some slight delays ;) I also was given an award from a dear fellow blogger which I will post about soon! (I ♥ you, woman!)

Much love to all,
Me

Not Taking a Hiatus... Just Been Busy :)

2010-03-01T10:22:00.000Z

Had a huge post I was working on then the computer crashed, went back to my post to continue, accidentally published it, deleted it while having it open in another tab, wrote some more, but I didn't notice that the draft stopped saving after the [delete] and when I closed my browser... I lost it... grrrr.... also I haven't been on my blog for several days because my 4 year old was sick with a fever AGAIN... I guess he has to get used to these english germs, then he gives them to me. It's not like Florida, lol.. I've been giving each of us daily doses of ionic minerals and I've noticed we're going through shorter periods of illness. The lack of sunlight is bugging me as well, but there is SUN OUT TODAY!! WOOHOO!! When you spend your whole life in a sunny state you get aggravated at the constant heat, but now I realise how much I like the sunshine!

That's all for now, will be more forthcoming with posts when I catch up on my 'chores' lol..

Just Thought I'd Say...

2010-02-18T21:50:00.000Z

I almost forgot how great Alissa Cohen was... I FINALLY got around to watching her Living On Live Food DVD (see below) and was happy to see that she used the food processor for 95% of her food prep. I've been thinking about #4 of my 'Things I've Found Difficult' list... I like that the food processor is one of those things that isn't too expensive, if at all, and yet is so versatile. Mine was less than £20 and comes with a citrus juicer attachment(among others, hehe) AND a rubber spatula, hehe *woohoo!* I REALLY want to try her mock tuna with the sprouts... I would just like to get a hold of some raw Kelp powder... Alissa makes everything on her DVD look so easy and after watching it I don't understand now why I thought RAW was difficult, lol.. I did make a 'something' the other day, don't know what to call it, but it was 2 carrots in the FP, 5-6 sprigs of parsely, garlic, onions and sun-dried tomatoes and I WISHED I had some lettuce to wrap it in, but I just ate it out of the bowl *teehee* It was GOOD! Saying that, I must admit I haven't been very good today because we do need to go shopping... I've got lots of bananas and apples, dates, raisins, parsley and cilantro and onions... there's only so much you can make with that :/... ;) and I'm over carrots right now... I've tried processing bananas & apples together, and, well, did I like it? .... not so much, lmao ... I still ate it, I hate wasting food ;) I did, however aquire a sprouting jar which my lovely sister-in-raw gave me(Thank you!!) and I've got some alfalfa sprouting in it already!! You can see the teeny root feet coming out of the seeds, lol.. I can still make a smoothie, although I am out of Maca :((( ... sorry, I just LOVE the stuff!! I've been through 1 1/2 kilos of it since December!! I'm telling you it's amazing!

Well, that's it for me for tonight, gonna watch a flick with mah hubby! ♥ U!

Part 3...

2010-02-16T14:04:00.000Z

Finally, the 10th difficulty on the list:

10. Living/working/socialising with non-RAW-foodies!

This can be the major trip up(for lack of a better term, lol..) for most starting out on a raw diet. I consider myself lucky because my husband is supportive, but I have had judgemental comments and a lack of support from some (but not all) members of family & friends... usually from those who have a cosistant diet of meat and bread... not that I'm judging, of course ;)

I've heard "If God wanted us to be vegetarians he wouldn't have made animals out of meat!" or "Your body NEEDS meat!" and "Well, where did you get that from? How do you know if that's true?"... (personally I think they thought I was still just a kid believing everything I hear because it sounded good, not realizing that I'm very much into doing my own independent research as well as being a 35 year old woman with a family of her own, lol! BUT... I'm not bitter ;) Anyway, there is pressure, but you HAVE to stick it out. You are the only one who keeps yourself on or OFF the wagon, no one else! Choose health or choose dis-ease. If you find yourself in a debate, instead of arguing about nutrition, don't say a word! Show them! If anyone asks about your clear skin tell them RAW foods! If they ask about your new svelt body shape, say RAW foods! You get the idea.

Well, there you have it... the things that make it kinda difficult for me on the RAW, but I am perservering(sp?) !!! The key is motivating yourself... listen to podcasts, watch the movies and documentaries, have a raw food party, lol... mp3's and putting the movies on while you clean the house is what I do a lot... even if you can only get involved on a forum on the net you're still getting involved! Remember you don't HAVE to have the most expensive appliances, you just have to be determined! Really, all you need are your hands and mouth... your MOUTH is the BEST JUICER IN THE WORLD! And... it's FREE! Think about it... want some wheatgrass juice? Chew on some wheatgrass until all the flavor's gone and you've had your wheatgrass juice for the day! If you've had the same difficulties I have, do something about it, don't just give up!

There is a way around EVERY obstacle! So FIND IT!!

Be happy and 'Have the 'Best Day Ever!'

♥x♥x♥x♥x♥x♥x♥x♥x♥x♥x♥

-The Raw Panda

Things That I've Found Difficult Being on the Raw Path and What I've Learned..... PART 2

2010-02-15T13:51:00.001Z

Cont'd...

6. The Detoxification Process

Now, the 'Healing Crisis' is a little hard to take... but as long as you keep taking your mineral supplements you won't have to worry and assume that what you're feeling is a mineral or vitamin deficiency or that you're dying, because you're not! I've realized I can get through it if I keep myself mineralized and get a colonic or, if you're poor like me, eat lots of organic fruit like apples... apples have LOTS of pectin and helps your body clear out the waste products in the colon... If you don't clear out your colon the best you can during this process then those waste products from your liver can end up in your blood and thicken it into something almost like a sludge... this happened to me. That's why I kept feeling my extremeties getting numb, I could also feel 'things' flowing in my blood... that may not have been the case but that's what it felt like. I believe the order for cleansing is: Colon, Kidneys then Liver. I am NOT an expert, I'm still learning, and doing so by experience. You can find out more about the healing crisis here, and here and here.

7. Getting off of Wheat and/or Bread!!

This is, I believe, the HARDEST thing to try to do. Almost everything is made of bread or wheat. It's just WHEAT WHEAT WHEAT(and corn and soy) all over the place! I never knew how when, before, I could eat so healthy and yet be fluffy in the middle with that womanly 'pooch' on the stomach... since cutting out wheat and other grains(as well as sugar) I've gotten rid of the pooch, the air bloated-ness and have felt clear headed and actually 'awake'. I believe this also maybe due to candida... There is a whole lot of info about candida, just google it(or use scroogle.org if you can't stand google) or even watch some youtube videos on the subject (which google is slowly ruining)
So, why the wheat thing? Grains have been so inter-bread and hybrid-ized to a point that they're easy now to harvest(un-naturally with machines) and yet without the nutritional value they once had, if any. Gluten intolerance is SO MUCH MORE widespread than we think... I think at LEAST 80% of humans are suffering from gluten sensitivity and don't even know it!

Articles about wheat: RawFoodExplained, guardian.co.uk, celiac.com,

8.Getting off SUGAR!

This one's a doozy... Getting off of it is one battle.. but finding a suitable replacement is entirely another! Sugar itself can be ok in certain forms.. Organic Blackstrap Molasses is good because it's chock full of minerals, that is if you can still eat sugar. On the other hand the replacements of the past have turned out to be horribly toxic... Splenda(or sucralose), Aspartame(now renamed 'AminoSweet' and can now be labled as 'natural', so beware!), Saccharin(just, eeeww..), High-Fructose Corn Syrup (commonly genetically modified with an even bigger EEWW!) and whatever OTHER wool they try to pull over our eyes... baa-aa-aa... if it's made by a pharmaceutical company, or immediately approved by the FDA, I usually don't trust it. Agave used to be great, now there's a controversy about that, too! What's left?! Well, Stevia leaf and Stevia extract is still on my list as ok, (it's 30 times sweeter than sugar so you don't need to use a lot at all) Stevia isn't a sugar, or rather, the molecule doesn't end in '-ose'. Then there's Yacon Syrup. Yacon syrup is made of fructooligosaccharide, which cannot be absorbed by the body and is a prebiotic, meaning it feeds the good probiotic bacteria in the gut (WOOHOO!)

Well, I have some house cleaning to do so I will see you cats later! =^x^=

Things That I've Found Difficult Being on the Raw Path and What I've Learned

2010-02-14T18:57:00.000Z

1. Location

... not necessarily WHERE I am, but knowing where to get the things that used to be easy to aquire while living in Florida... There was a locally owned whole foods grocery store called Native Sun that had almost everything organic you could think of... (even daipers and toilet paper, hehe) not that I don't like where I am living, I guess I just took it for granted because I can't just hop in the car and go pick it up anymore, lol... I'm having to improvise! The interwebz is invaluable for this.

2. Getting to know the seasonal veggies.

Things change ALL the time! It will be root veggies for a while, then greens then herbs... sometimes I can find cilantro, sometimes I can't (and it's called coriander over here... both the seed AND the leaf, not just the seed, lol) Anyway, you should know what the seasonal veggies are... eating seasonally is important!

3. Eating raw foods sometimes WITHOUT exotic ingredients!

There's the whole superfood thing, which is great to supplement your more 'normal' veggies, but if you run out of Maca you gotta use normal food... I know it can be boring but we've got to get into the habit of eating normal veggies and then supplementing with the exotic, not the other way around... I'm guilty of it because smoothies are my thing... you can put anything in a smoothie and I have a habit of using Maca and spirulina in EVERY smoothie... maybe I can cut down to a teaspoon instead of a tablespoon, lol, otherwise the rawfood lifestyle gets expensive! Although I do think these things should be more 'normal' and more readily available... We should be able to have a tablespoon of Maca or other superfood everyday BECAUSE they are so nutrient dense, but it's not finacially feasible for those of us starting out. Save up some money and get a bunch of superfoods at one time, or ask for them for birthdays or xmas.

4. Not having the right tools

You don't HAVE to have THE Vitamix... there are others out there that will do just fine for you untill you actually NEED a Vitamix... You don't HAVE to have THE Champion Juicer... the same goes for this thing. You don't HAVE to have THE Excalibur Dehydrator... Through the magic of my own cheapskate-ness, I have found plans on how to build a dehydrator with cardboard and masking tape and a little screen, with the help of the Sun(for summertime) or the radiator(for the wintertime... no, the radiator in your house) these other machines are all 200-300 dollars/pounds a piece!!! NO WONDER there are people falling off the wagon and not eating raw because they can't do the MAJORITY of the recipes that are out there... Just IMPROVISE! :)) If you start small and work your way up you'll be better off for it. When you get the hang of the raw food lifestyle, THEN you can invest in THE machines... And, really, you can only get the hang of the raw food lifestyle if you work with what you DO have.... That's why I've had to start from the beginning, think about what I can do with what I got and go from there.

And also, if you don't know what to make other than a try of veggies and some dip, then get the right BOOKS! The BEST ONE for beginners is 'Raw Food Made Easy'. What this book has that not many others do is a shopping list... Basically what you should have in your kitchen.. (for the recipes, too)

This wasn't supposed to turn into a book review, lol, but I just find this book great for being the first one on your shelf to use while you're researching the next step... the many superfoods in existence, that is.

5. Getting the trace minerals your body needs from doing 'RAW' wrong....

Even if you're eating organic foods you are still not getting the proper minerals you need. Make sure you have a good trace mineral supplement and that you are absorbing the nutrients you are getting as well as eating those foods in the right combinations

Well, the hubby is home from work so I will continue this later :)

To Be Continued...

Liquid Iron..

2010-02-03T11:50:00.001Z

   Happy February everyone! It's the month of love and you don't need a significant other to celebrate love in all of it's forms! <3 Let's celebrate love by taking care of our hearts and giving it the oxygen and mineral rich blood that it needs... we do that and it will give us, and others, the love we need! So, about MY blood, as you've seen in a previous post, I've gotten a liquid iron supplement which seems to be helping immensely. It's not vegan because it contains honey and it's not from raw whole foods, I don't think, but only because I can be finacially challenged at times... which, since I only have 2 teaspoons per day, I don't think it really matters if it's made from whole foods as long as it is a higher quality supplement. I'm not going by the 100% RAW rule, because if I start with rules that are, in my head, made to be unbreakable, then I will fail... and I refuse to fail, so I am not going to set myself up to do so! HA!

   Anyway, the iron supplement is called Feroglobin, and it contains iron, zinc, vitamin c, and B-complex... it has made a remarkable difference because it also contains some trace minerals that also help with blood formation. That time of the month, when Aunt Ruby visits, is a LOT more tolerable and the panic attacks are getting fewer and far between, and with shorter durations and milder symptoms... so it IS working. WOOHOO!

   Iron supplement PILLS have not been as effective for me.. Their benefits are barely noticable. When I ran out of the iron pills my doc gave me I felt the low iron and attacks within about 48 hours, but when taking this stuff and then running out, it took more than a week to feel the effects of low iron again, and by that time I got my package in the mail. I will be eating iron and mineral rich whole foods still and taking the 2 teaspoons per day as long as I can until my iron stores are back to optimum levels... not just good enough, but OPTIMUM levels. We should never settle for "good enough". Saying that, I am still looking into getting this Angstrom Iron as well as the Angstrom minerals because anemia is a deficiency and getting minerals is extremely important, but this will do for now and it's much easier on my wallet really, lol..

Heal yourself in 15 days by transforming your blood (part four)

2010-02-02T09:38:00.001Z

Haven't been around because the computer died, lol... New computer, new post! This article is one of the most important in this series because it has to do with the blood... a very important article if you're anemic like me.. enjoy!
Heal yourself in 15 days by transforming your blood (part four)

Whoa...

2010-01-14T09:26:00.000Z

Ok, I'm going to try to stay positive in my thoughts, and I won't dwell on it after I write this post, I just have to vent this and I'll try not to be negative, lol... so... well, I had a big attack Tuesday. I was feeling a bit off all day, but usually I can 'think' my way back to normality :/... so as I was drifting off to sleep I felt that intense cold, liquidy feeling and the sensation of all of my blood rushing away from my skin at the same time... it didn't last very long, but it was long enough to freak me out a little. I took a chewable 1000u B12 and felt a little better...

THEN last night my son was on my lap at the computer and I started to feel weird again, so I thought "Hmm, maybe I should get the phone so I can call the in-laws just in case, they're good at talking me through..." and AS SOON as I had that thought then WOOSH it hit me, I tried not to panic if front of the wee one, called Dad-in-law and he came over and talked me down as I was crying my eyes out...

This sucks. I don't want to be a burden but worrying about having an attack or anything else actually zaps your B12 and I don't need another deficiency that's going to cause more of these things... *sigh* They say anxiety attacks are mostly psychosomatic yet can be caused by anemia, but I wonder why they're so intense, is it REALLY a 'mind-game' your body plays with you or are these episodes more serious? My doctor says no, people who've written books about them say no... it's just normal! Ok, so it's normal... what can I do about it, how do I make them stop? Still looking for that answer because NOBODY KNOWS!

It does seem to help when I listen to Doreen Virtue or Abraham-Hicks on audio... I feel good after that... I did that last night before bed and I slept like a baby... my unusually firm matress didn't even bother me and I was up before the alarm a refreshed! Woohoo! maybe that's what I'll do when I feel it coming on :)

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T09:40:00.000Z

Happy New Year to all of you, and have the best year ever! ....no matter what the circumstances you can decide how this year goes... every situation is an opportunity to spread love and warmth to others. Stay in a place of love every moment, always!

"Make some small effort, every chance you get, at looking at where you stand NOW and doing your best to soothe and appreciate you NOW, to soothe and appreciate your NOW."

Love
The Raw Panda

Anemia Panic Strikes Again!

2009-12-27T04:19:00.000Z

WOW... Panicking, so I'm staying focused by writing... I'm out of iron tablets that my GP gave me for the past week, which were ferrous fumarate and are easier to absorb, so I took my ferrous sulfate which is all I have... I couldn't find them for a while either :O

Here's the lowdown... We were doing the usual wind down before bed, watch a show or 2 etc., I noticed my back and the back of my head were getting that numbness again, and when I stand up i'd get a teeny bit dizzy, and my head has been aching for a few days now but I figured it's the PMS rearing it's ugly head again...I feel whatever blood I do have is centering itself in my lower abdomen as it usually does around this time... it's almost as if my blood volume is low, or rather I KNOW it is because I lie down and get pressure owies (for lack of a better term) from my matress and they're not fun. As I lie down for bed and try to relax I got a little breathless, so I did my breathing techniques, and then the wave hit! The faintness while lying down, coldness in the extremeties, dizziness low blood pressure... I HAVE to get this iron thing under control!

And, of course, it ALWAYS, ALWAYS happens on a weekend!! It's not like the US where you can just hop in the car to the corner 24 hour Walgreen's or CVS and get what you need, I live in a small village... there are no 24 hour anythings.... except internet :D

So, I hop onto the interwebz to Detox Your world to find the Angstrom Ionic Iron, but they're not back in the office to resume business till the 4th!! [insert nail-biting desperation here!] I will still purchase this... I mean it... Really, Angstrom Iron, Water of Life and the Angstrom Silver is what it's all about! Anyway, instead I went to Amazon and purchased Vitabiotics Feroglobin-B12 Iron Supplement Liquid
I've heard good things about liquid iron supplements so hopefully this will help with adding to my stores and absorbability... I've been doing the whole Spirulina thing but I must not be digesting these things properly or something... or it could be the whole falling off the wagon during the xmas dinner thing [yeah, duh ] ... I ate bad chocolate, bread and had some Bailey's.... I know, but it was real BAILEY'S! Never again.

Now, needless to say, I am BACK on the wagon... I WILL TO STAY RAW AND BE HEALTHY AGAIN!!

Minerals and Your Needs

2009-12-24T01:01:00.000Z

-Boron works well in conjunction with calcium for increased bone density and the prevention of osteoporosis. It assists us in retaining magnesium in the body, and it helps in the production of estrogen. It also strengthens the body's immune system and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Research indicates that boron causes blood levels of calcium, magnesium, and estrogen to rise in post-menopausal women.

Signs of a boron deficiency:
Arthritis, brittle bones, carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative joint disease, hormonal imbalance, loss of libido, memory loss, muscle pain, osteoporosis, receding gums, weak cartilage.

-Calcium relaxes muscles and the digestive system, builds bone, neutralizes acidity, exports toxins out of the cell and blood stream. Calcium works synergistically with magnesium. It should be taken in a ratio of 2 parts magnesium to 1 part calcium.

Signs of a calcium deficiency:
Acne, arthritis, acidosis, A.D.D., asthma, bell's palsy, cancer, carpal tunnel syndrome, cataracts, cavities, chronic fatigue syndrome, common cold, cramps, enlarged heart, fibromyalgia, gallstones, high cholesterol.

-Chromium is closely associated with the pancreas, and therefore helps to alleviate symptoms of a hypoglycemic and/or diabetic condition by balancing the blood sugar. Chromium helps us to burn fat, build muscle mass, and properly metabolize calories. Chromium is zapped out of our bodies in our youth as a result of eating starchy demineralized foods and refined sugar. Most chromium deficiencies are chronic. It is the second most prevalent mineral deficiency in America after magnesium.

Signs of a chromium deficiency:
Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder (A.D.D.), aortic cholesterol plaque, arteriosclerosis, bi-polar disease, coronary blood vessel disease, depression, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, hyperinsulinism, hypoglycemia, hyperactivity, impaired growth, infertility/decreased sperm count, moodiness, obesity, pre-diabetes, peripheral neuropathy.

-Cobalt Cobalt helps to relieve anemia, increases the production of red blood cells,
and works in tandem with sulfur to repair the myelin sheath. It also helps the body produce and synthesize glucose in the blood.

Signs of a cobalt deficiency:
Digestive disorders, fatigue, myelin sheath damage, nerve damage, pernicious anemia, poor circulation, slow or retarded growth rate.

-Copper is a dewormer and destroyer of macro-parasites. Copper cleanses the lymphatic
system, assists with stimulating peristalsis, and strengthens the immune
system. Copper is usually found bound up in the vitamin C complex in plants. Food grown agriculturally in the western world today is deficient in copper. Copper is a very strong mineral and doses should be kept at 1 dropper (ml). Copper is antagonistic to zinc and molybdenum and should be done separately from them (preferably on the other side of the day).

Signs of deficiency:
Allergies, anemia, aneurysm, arthritis, dry brittle hair, edema, gulf war syndrome, hernias, high blood cholesterol, hyper- and hypo-thyroid, hair loss, heart disease, kawasaki disease, liver cirrhosis, osteoporosis, oppressed breathing, parasites, parkinson's disease, reduced glucose tolerance, ruptured disc, skin eruptions or sores, spleen insufficiency,varicose veins, weak immune system, white or gray hair, wrinkled skin, worms.

-Germanium Protects the nucleus of the cell from viral and cancer damage. Protects the
valves that separate the five sections of the gasto-intestinal tract. Germanium is a rare trace mineral found primarily in mushrooms.

Signs of deficiency:
Asthma, cancer, cardiac insufficiency, DNA damage, gastro-intestinal disorders, hypertension, hepatic cirrhosis, leukemia, neuralgia, nephritis, neurotic disorders, softening of brain tissue, viral infections.

-Gold is a mystical platinum-group mineral. It has the highest frequency of the platinum-group elements. Researchers are just beginning to understand the role of angstrom-sized gold in nutrition. It seems to have a wide-range of properties, including: calming the nervous system, increasing lucid dreaming, balancing the endocrine and glandular system, protecting the DNA from free radicals, cancer, and viral damage, increasing the strength of the immune system, and improving intelligence.

Signs of a gold deficiency:
Arthritis, brain dysfunction, chills, cancer, circulatory disorders, depression, digestive disorders, drug/alcohol addiction, gland dysfunction, heat flashes, insomnia, joint inflammation, night sweats, obesity, seasonal
affective disorder (SAD).

-Indium is the most powerful of all trace minerals. Element #49 on the Periodic Table, it is midpoint between alkaline and acid metals, making it the most unique of all minerals. Research indicates that Indium helps to alleviate skin outbreaks, hormonal insufficiencies, endrocrine (glandular) system imbalances, empowers the platinum group elements (platinum, gold, silver, etc.) to protect and enhance the DNA. Indium works like creatine and stimulates lean muscle mass. It has been shown in studies with mice that indium greatly increases one's life-span, and overall mineralization. The mice that were given indium were 3-5 times more mineralized, and lived three times longer than the control group both groups were fed the same diet. Indium is not found in food in the United States.

Signs of an indium deficiency: Acne and hormonal imbalances.

-Iodine is used by the thyroid to form thyroid hormone, which helps regulate the metabolism and the energy level of the body. It has the highest frequency of all of nature's essential minerals.

Signs of an iodine deficiency:
Cretinism, depression, frustration, goiter, hormonal imbalance, hyper- and hypo-thyroidism, lethargy, miscarriages, scaly or dry skin, sterility or infertility.

-Iron is needed by red blood cells to pick up oxygen in the lungs and carry it into the tissues. Iron is vital in helping the blood eliminate potentially toxic substances or larger sized iron particles in the blood and tissues. Excellent to use during menstruation or other times of heavy blood loss.

Signs of an iron deficiency:
Anemia, anorexia, brittle nails, constipation, dizziness, depression, dysphasia, fatigue/lack of stamina, fragile bones, growth retardation, hair loss, headaches, pica, unnaturally pale skin.

-Magnesium Relaxes muscles, builds bone, causes strong peristalsis, increases flexibility, increases alkalinity. Found at the center of the chlorophyll molecule, magnesium is the most deficient mineral in the cooked civilization diet. Magnesium, as a primary alkaline mineral, opens up over 300 different elimination pathways. Magnesium can be biologically transmutated into calcium.

Signs of deficiency:
Asthma, anorexia, calcification of organs, tissue, and small arteries, constipation, convulsions, cramps, depression, ECG changes, growth failure, headaches, hyperacidity, kidney stones, migraines, muscular weakness, muscle tremors, muscle tics, myocardial infarction, neuromuscular problems, osteoporosis, PMS, vertigo, wrinkles.

-Manganese is an adrenal mineral, a brain mineral, and an oxygenator like iron. It aids memory and is needed to form hormones. Manganese works with selenium to rid the body of harmful fats and cholesterol.

Signs of a manganese deficiency:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, deafness, depression, gout, hearing problems, infertility, lack of concentration, loss of libido in both sexes, memory loss/mental confusion, miscarriages or stillbirths, multiple sclerosis, nerve disorders, PMS, poor muscle coordination, stunted growth, tinnitus, stiff tendons, stuttering, tremors.

-Mineral of Life
Mineral of Life acts like an angstrom-sized sea salt, and helps the body produce enzymes. Mineral of Life is a blend of about 84 ancient sea bed minerals broken down into the angstrom size. Mineral of Life is not a blend of angstrom minerals (angstrom mineral blends should be left up to the creators of these minerals). If one haphazardly combines some of the angstrom minerals with each other in a bottle, they may come together forming bigger mineral particles and thus they become unusable - the clear minerals may go cloudy when combined. This is particularly true of silver when mixed with other angstrom minerals.

Mineral of Life is powerful and gives one a boost in the morning. To date, not much research has been done on it.

-Molybdenum helps prevent premature aging, mobilizes iron from the liver reserves as needed, and aids in detoxifying the body. Molybdenum and zinc should be taken at the opposite end of the day from copper and sulfur.

Signs of a molybdenum deficiency:
Acne, AIDS, allergies, anemia, anthrax, asthma, athlete's foot, bell's palsy, bladder infection, cancer, candidiasis, canker sores, cavities, contrail/chemtrail exposure, colds/flu, depression, diabetes, e.coli, eczema, epstein barr, gout, gulf war syndrome, hepatitis C, herpes simplex, impotency, insomnia, liver damage, lupus, lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, obesity, parasites, prostate infection, ringworm.

-Potassium is needed for the heart and the nerves, and is excellent for those with a history of a heart condition. It neutralizes muscle acids, and promotes quicker healing of cuts and wounds.

Signs of a potassium deficiency:
Bad circulation, bluish tint to skin, chronic fatigue syndrome, diabetes, earaches, edema, headaches, heart palpitations, hypertension, insomnia, intestinal pain, muscle weakness, oppressive breathing, pain in the eyes, prolapsed uterus, swollen glands, tissue anemia, water retention.

-Platinum is obviously one of the rare and mystical platinum-group elements that protect and energize the DNA. Platinum helps alertness and should be taken opposite gold; platinum in the morning as an energizer, and gold in the evening as a relaxant.

Signs of a platinum deficiency:
Back pain, cancer, chronic fatigue, gland dysfunction, headaches, insomnia, nerve damage, neuralgia, PMS, poor concentration.

-Selenium is a powerful antioxidant. Research shows that it inhibits cancer rates by up to 42%, making it the most promising anti-cancer mineral (substance) yet discovered. Selenium protects the cell from cancer and viral damage. All food in the US has been deficient in selenium since the 1950s.

Signs of deficiency:
The entire US population is deficient in selenium. Some symptoms include age/liver spots, alzheimer's, anemia, cancer, cardiomyopathy, cirrhosis of the liver, cystic fibrosis, DNA damage, fatigue, fibromyalgia, heart disease, heart palpitations, AIDS, hot flashes, immune deficiencies, infertility, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, muscular weakness, pancreatic atrophy, parkinson's disease, premature aging, scoliosis, sickle cell anemia,
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), viral infections.

-Silver Destroys every known virus on contact. Destroys harmful fungus and bacteria
while keeping healthy tissue and good bacteria intact. Protects the nervous system from viruses and bacteria. Much has been written, discovered, and experienced about colloidal silver being the world's most powerful antibiotic. Angstrom silver is a million times smaller than colloidal silver and thus is more effective without side
effects (colloidal silver can get gummed up in the tissues and skin).

Signs of a silver deficiency:
Anthrax, athlete's foot, boils, candida, cerebro-spinal meningitis, colitis, cystitis, dermatitis, diphtheria, diplococcus, dysentry, e.coli, gonorrhea, impetigo, infection, influenza, intestinal trouble, pneumococci, ringworm, shingles, staphylococci, tuberculosis, warts, whooping cough.

-Sulfur is the number one beauty mineral. It is the number one mineral in the skin, hair, nails, liver, and pancreas. Sulfur potentiates all other minerals allowing them to be absorbed and utilized more efficiently. Sulfur creates permeability. It works synergistically with vitamin C to create the super-protein collagen. Sulfur helps alleviate wrinkles, and skin damage, including scarring. Sulfur helps repair injured joints, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue. Sulfur helps build sulfur-bearing amino acids which detoxify the liver, nourish the hair and skin, and build flexible muscle. Angstrom-sized sulfur is as or more biologically available than MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane). Sulfur is found in rainwater and in plants dependent on rainwater for survival. Many foods are grown agriculturally and in greenhouses and thus are deficient in sulfur.

Signs of deficiency:
Arthritis, asthma, acne, back pain, brittle hair, circulatory problems, connective tissue damage, constipation, dry skin, free radical damage, inflammation, infection, insulin/blood sugar challenges, leathery organs/tissue/skin, liver stagnation, liver disease, migraines, muscle pain, nerve disorders, poor skin quality, protein deficiency, scars, skin disorders, stress, urinary tract disorders, various muscle/skeletal disorders, weak nails, wrinkles.

-Vanadium works in conjunction with chromium, balances blood sugar, and mimics insulin.

Signs of a vanadium deficiency:
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, hyperinsulinism, hypoglycemia, infertility, metabolic dysfunction, obesity, pancreatic dysfunction.

-Zinc eliminates body odor, helps protects the teeth, helps to eliminate bad breath, restores enzyme function of the immune system and skin, strongly fights viruses, protects the nervous system, and much more. Zinc is one of the most important trace minerals, perhaps second only to indium. All food in the US has been deficient in zinc since the 1950s. Zinc is antagonistic to copper and should done separately from copper (preferably on the other side of the day).

Signs of deficiency:
Angina, alzheimer's, anemia, anthrax, alcoholism, acne, anorexia &bulimia, bad breath, body odor, birth defects, cavities, chron's disease, chronic viral infections, depression, diabetes, down's syndrome, eye diseases, free radical damage, herpes, hypertension, hair loss, infertility, infection, loss of libido, loss of smell and taste, miscarriages, nerve damage, obesity, PMS, poor skin (acne), prostate cancer, still births, thyroid disorders, urinary tract infections, weak immune system.

Getting Over It

2009-12-21T20:50:00.000Z

I woke up this morning very dry.... like crazy dry. I know lemons are good for hydration, so I thought maybe I could try an orange because, well, all I have is oranges :) I'm feeling a little better today, still drained, but I've been consistantly 100% raw instead of 90 - 95% for 4 days and I can feel it happening, I can feel a slight numbness in my left pinky but it's gone away now. I want to get over the worst of the detox quickly, and I'm ready... I hope it doesn't involve the panic attacks, so I've planned to use the spirulina to keep the iron and b12 in me while this happens.

My next purchase will be the Angstrom Water of Life and the Angstrom Iron on the Detox Your World site, I want to make sure I get the minerals I need to get well as symptom free as possible (here's hopin')

Still Healing...

2009-12-20T10:18:00.000Z

There is still sinus pressure and stuffy nose stuff going on, but it will be over soon... I'm thinking of breaking my 'resting-fast' and getting out to take a walk... cleansing the lymphatic system by moving is one way I can feel better. I also would like to get some dandilion and/or echinacea tea to cleanse and boost my spleen. For some reason I think someone's trying to tell me something because all I can think about is my lymphatic system, so I'm taking it as divine guidance on what I need to do to heal.

I have found a few Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics in town so I want to check them out... they're usually pretty adamant about keeping the spleen healthy.

Anyway, more later, haven't eaten yet because I just woke up not too long ago ;)

Healing Crisis And I'm Stickin' it out

2009-12-18T21:45:00.001Z

I apologize for not being very articulate this time, but I am not caring what I sound [or read] like (by dothe ith thtuffed up) I have been feeling soooooo drained, no matter what I do lately, yet hungry all the time no matter how healthy I eat EXCEPT today at about 6pm, I had a whole mango and I haven't been hungry for a few hours now, THANK YOU UNIVERSE! Apparently those are the nutrients I needed... It's exhausting being hungry. But anyway, I have finally caught, thanks to the healing crisis, what my son and hubby has had for weeks... so I know my immune system was working but I need to get this out... I'm gonna get over this hump, so I thank the universe for my healing. :) I AM WELL!

today I had:
Cacao, flax, maca, reishi, banana smoothie
banana
HUGE apple
Huge bowl of greens(spinach/rocket) with rosemary and a few drops of olive oil [cuz I ran out :(]
! whole large Mango
more greens
2 liters of spring water

Sorry 'bout my Hiatus :/

2009-12-10T00:09:00.001Z

I've been a bit exhausted lately with the whole getting up before dark to get mah wee one up and ready for school and since starting he has caught a little cold, barking coughs and all... I've been reeeeally , well, just tired.... I wake up I'm tired, I lie down I'm tired, I go to work tired, just sleepy sleepy sleepy... SO, I suspected there was a digestive issue being skinny-legged yet a little fluffy in the middle, so I invested in some digestive enzymes that I saw reading through the Detox Your World website... it is a different pic but it's the same stuff.

Udo's Choice Ultimate Digestive Enzyme Blend

I gotta tell ya, they are working. Now, you are not running to the bathroom at all hours or anything or jumping off the walls, BUT you can really tell, although subtly, my energy has been coming back... I don't feel like I can't raise my arms while sitting like I was. Yay Enzymes!!

Frequently Asked Raw Questions

2009-12-02T09:55:00.000Z

The Living and Raw Foods F.A.Q.

Article SOURCE

The Living and Raw Foods discussed in this web site includes all plant based (vegetarian/vegan) foods.

[NOTE: Emphasis added by me, Raw Panda]

What are Living and Raw Foods?
Raw and Living Foods are foods that contain enzymes. In general, the act of heating food over 116 degrees F (usually 118°F or 47.8 °C) destroys enzymes in food. (Enzymes start to degrade in as little as 106 degrees F). All cooked food is devoid of enzymes, furthermore cooking food changes the molecular structure of the food and renders it toxic. Living and raw foods also have enormously higher nutrient values than the foods that have been cooked.

What are Enzymes?
Enzymes assist in the digestion of foods. They are known to be the "Life-Force" and or "energy" of food.

From the dictionary:

Noun: Any of the various complex organic substances, as pepsin originating from living cells and capable of producing certain chemical changes in organic substances by catalytic action, as in digestion.

Why are Enzymes Important?
Enzymes are important because they assist in the digestion and absorption of food. If you eat food that is enzyme-less, your body will not get maximum utilization of the food. This causes toxicity in the body. (Can you guess why over 75% of Americans are overweight?)

Doesn't the acidic ph of the stomach destoy enzymes?
Viktorus Kulvinskas, one of the world's foremost and most experienced active researchers into enzyme nutrition has information showing then stomach acid merely deactivates food enzymes. The enzymes are then reactivated in the more alkaline small intestine. Many people who eat all raw foods, sense a world of healthful difference in our energy, digestion and connectedness with nature by eating enzyme-rich living foods. When we stopped eating cooked protein foods which require large secretions of stomach acid (which is not healthful for several reasons) our stomach doesn't produce much stomach acid. Many people who eat raw foods eat a low protein diet and are free from the stomach acid secretions and have much more energy and a lighter disposition.

Is there a difference between living foods and raw foods?
Living and Raw foods both contain enzymes. In living foods, the enzyme
content is much higher. Raw, unsprouted nuts contain enzymes in a "dormant"
state. To activate the enzymes contained in almonds, for example, soak them
in water for as just 24 hours. Once the almonds begin to sprout, the enzymes become "active" and are then considered living. In the context of this web site,
the terms are used loosely.

Why eat only Organic Foods?
When juicing or eating foods, it is very important to choose to consume only organically grown produce. "Conventional" or "industrial" produce are grown with pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers, and other chemicals that are toxic and/or harmful to your body. Organic foods are grown without the use of these harmful substances, taste better, and are more nutritious.

Do I need to eat all organic to be raw?
No, you do not NEED to eat all organic to be raw. I personally reccomend eating as much organic food as possible. It has been shown that organic produce contains less pesticide and other toxic residues. In addition, it has been shown that organic food may taste better and contain more nutrition. I believe its better to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables in most any case.

Will rinsing wash off the pesticide from industrially grown produce?
Rinsing with cool water will remove some surface pesticide residue, but not the pesticide that was absorbed into the produce as it was grown. Some of the most severely tainted types of produce are strawberries and bell peppers. Some of the least tainted: carrots and avocados.

Is this a "new" fad diet or something?
Not at all! Consider the following: during the vast majority of our existence on this planet, what choices did we have for food? What COULD we have eaten before we discovered fire, tools and implements to kill animals? The original diet for us MUST have consisted primarily of vegetables, fruits, and nuts! What other choices did we have? Clearly, a raw, plant based diet is the main food staple throughout the vast majority of the history of Humankind! Before Humans started killing and eating dead animal carcass, we ate fruits, leaves, nuts, berries, etc...

Is this just another vegetarian or vegan diet?
Yes and NO! This is the ULTIMATE vegetarian/vegan diet. It should be the goal of all vegetarians, vegans and SAD - [Standard American Diet] eaters to eat raw. The benefits are out of this world! Once you embrace an all-raw and living food diet, you are more living, have more energy, better health, think more clearly, and become more in tune with your body! This type of diet even gives you a "competitive edge" over people that eat life-less food.

What is the difference between a raw/living foods diet and a vegetarian one?
Vegetarians and vegans believe in only eating a plant based diet.
Living and Raw Foodists believe in eating only an UNCOOKED, UNHEATED, UNPROCESSED and ORGANIC plant based diet.

What is a Living Foodist or Raw Foodist?
A person who eats 75% or more living/raw food.. The more, the better. Optimally one should eat as 100% raw and living foods if it feels right for them.

Is a 100% living and raw food diet best?
That depends on the person. I believe life should not be about 100% raw food, but about 100% health. You can be "unhealthy" and eat 100% raw food, if you are not eating the correct raw foods. In addition, the stress that can be caused by "screwing up" or "falling off the wagon" can be worse than eating a high percentage raw food diet, with "better" cooked alternatives. I personally eat 99.999% raw foods.

Is there just one type of living/raw foodist?
There are many subcategories of living/raw foodists. Some include:

* Fruitarian - People who consume mostly fruits.
* Sproutarian - People who consume mostly sprouts.
* Juicearian - People who consume mostly fresh juice.

Why would someone want to eat a raw and living foods diet?
There are many reasons why people eat a raw and living foods diet.

1. Health: Persons embracing this type of diet invariably experience improvements in their general physical and mental status, including more energy, better health, more energy , weight loss, detoxification, and a sturdier immune system that better resists and recovers from just about any kind of disease... and the list goes on...
2. Energy efficiency: Since you no longer have to cook, you don't waste electricity, and save the environment.
3. Since you eat organic agriculture, you help to save the planet. Most become more in-tune with their body; many report definite spiritual improvements.
4. No animal products are used, so the animals appreciate it.

What do raw/living foodists eat?
Raw and Living Foodist eat all fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, sea vegetables, and other organic/natural foods that have not been processed. In some instances, there are special ways to prepare the foods (example: most raw and living foodists soak/sprout nuts, seeds and grains before consuming them). For some delicious recipes, see our recipe section!

How can you tell if something is a raw/living food?
Most foods that have not been processed in any way, shape or form are raw and living foods (until cooked). Processed foods (canned, bottled or prepackaged) are most often adulterated, (changed from their original state) by heating, additives, preservatives, colorings, salt, and sugar. Don't think this is all for your benefit; the benefactor is the manufacturer's profit margin, NOT YOU. Try to purchase foods that are in their natural state.

What do raw and living foodists drink?
Water (purified water - never tap water), Freshly made juices (made with your own juicer - and consumed immediately), coconut milk (from a young coconut), are some of the liquids living and raw foodists drink. Most all drinks purchased at the store have been processed (Including: soda, bottled juices, coffee, alcohol, and most others) and are not included in a living / raw foodist diet.

Do raw and living foodists drink tea?
Some living and raw foodists will drink SUN TEA, which is tea brewed by the power of the Sun. Teas that contain boiling water are not considered raw. Many teas that are purchased in the store may have been processed at temperatures above 118 degrees. The best way is to grow your own herbs and dry them at a low temperature, and use them for sun teas.
(I personally think tea is fine, it's what is in the tea you should keep an eye on, i.e. caffeine)

Are certain raw foods better than others?
Yes. I believe one should focus on eating the majority of fresh fruits and vegetables. All other raw foods (such as nuts, seeds, etc) should be minimized. Fresher foods are always best. Ones that you grow yourself, or purchased at a farmers market, are much fresher than foods purchased in the grocery or health food store.

Where do raw and living foodist get their protein?
The WHO (World Health Organization) says humans need about 5% of their daily calories to come from protein to be healthy. The USDA puts this figure at 6.5%. On average, fruits have about 5% of their calories from protein. Vegetables have from 20-50% of their calories from protein. Sprouted seeds, beans, and grains contain from 10-25% of their calories from protein. So if you are eating any variety of living plant foods, you are getting more than adequate protein. Numerous scientific studies have shown the daily need for protein to be about 25-35 grams per day. So if you ate 2,000 calories per day, and ate raw plant foods that had an average of 10% of their calories from protein, you would get 200 calories worth of protein, or 50 grams. This is more than adequate to support optimal well-being. Other studies have shown that heat treating a protein (such as with cooking) makes about half of it unusable to the human body. So raw plant food protein is even a better source than cooked plant foods or animal foods. There is still a huge, foolish, misguided idea that plant protein is not "complete". This is based on studies done on rats in the 1940's. This false conclusion was drawn before we discovered the bodies protein recycling mechanism and its ability to "complete" any amino acid mix from our bodies amino acid pool, no matter what the amino acid composition of a meal consumed. This false idea is still perpetuated by the meat and dairy industries, in an attempt to influence people to continue consuming their truly health destroying products. (..and that IS what they are, PRODUCTS. As long as you are getting the essential amino acids in your diet daily you will be getting protein you need...)

Wrapped up

2009-12-01T22:33:00.001Z

My baby went to school and didn't want to come home, lol... I was holding back tears, of course, but kept my composure :) yay! Picked him up at Noon that day and he was wired, hehe... his teacher said that he has to learn when to play with toys and when to sit and listen... why am I not surprised, he's me XD *teehee* He looked so cute in his uniform, too. Today he threw a tantrum because he didn't want to leave and I had to help the teachers calm him, lol.... Aaaaand it's COLD!

In other news, I should've known... the scrip my doc gave me for my anemia is giving me an unusually bad headache, and the insert says '..stop taking and tell your doctor if you experience any of the following: unusually bad headaches...', so, go figure. My symptoms have become less severe each consecutive night anyway so I'm back to basics!

I had:
2 smoothies
an apple
watercress salad
2 bananas
1 mango
2 small 'wraps' made with rocket, watercress, some other green(it escapes me), sliced avocado, about 8 raisins(not too much, gives it a raspberry vinaigrette flavor), shallots and some sunflower seeds wrapped up in a 'spring green' leaf cut in half w/ a lil' sea salt... mmmmmmmmmmm....

My baby's going to school! sniffle

2009-11-29T20:13:00.003Z

So, my lil' boy starts school tomorrow... I'm excited for him because I know he's excited but I'm sad because he's my baby... I know every mom goes through this, but still.. *sigh*

9:20 and the breathlessness and slight numbness in the fingers is happening... taking the prescription that will help the anemia(I hate pharmaceuticals but I'm desparate right now) I can't wait till I'm over this..

Anyway, on a lighter note, I don't know what it is about parsley... never used to like it, now I'm addicted. I had another parsley-avocado salad but this time I added shallots and garlic with half a tsp of turmeric and organic rocket salad mix from the co-op and it was better than last time, woohoo!

I had so far:
Smoothie: 2 bananas, 1 tbsp raw cacao powder, 1/2 tsp spirulina, 1 dessert spoon of maca, 3/4 tsp MSM
an orange
rocket salad
avocado

Parsley-Tongue

2009-11-26T23:37:00.003Z

I *sigh* ate all the fresh veggies we had, save a carrot, so I had some ryvita crackers... this is the only part of being raw that gets to me(well, except the whole detox symptom part, lol) is when you run out and need to do a shop... I mean, this whole working in England thing is great but getting paid *once a month* reeeeeeallly sucks, but I' ok with it( I have to be)! And from what I hear its very common. In America you'd have a hard time finding employees at all... for instance, I waited 7 weeks for my first paycheck!! ... I know! But I need to keep positive, let it flow and not worry so much..... *money comes to me easily and frequently*
Anyway, I woke up feelin' good so we cleaned the house a bit before the landlord came to fix the security lights. Someone thought it would be cool to siphon off and steal our heating oil out of the big tank on the side of the house, left us with less than half an inch of oil in there to heat the house and hot water! >:( So, anyway we've got the oil-filler-upper-people coming at 10 am tomorrow and we'll finally have heat again woohoo!
And on a lighter note, we've shopped, and I made the best salad based on parsley I've ever tasted! It went a little something like this:

one small handful of curly leafed parsley
one small handful of flat leafed parsely
half of a small handful(I basically eyed the amounts) of cilantro(or coriander for my uk peeps)
1 medium avocado
2 tablespoons of cold-pressed xtra virgin olive oil
cayenne pepper to taste
half to one whole teaspoon of ground cumin (I like a lot of it)
sea salt to taste

smoosh(technical term) the avocado w/ the oil and salt and spices, then mix in the greens...
If you're transitioning you can add some organic brown or wild rice, maybe, as long as 51% is made up of raw veg...

Enjoy!

Feel Good Today, But Last Night Was A DOOZY...

2009-11-25T12:07:00.008Z

Yes, it was... I'm detoxing heavily because between 10 pm & 2 am is when the panic hormones get released, which is apparently normal.. The adrenaline or whatever it is feels like it's coming from your heart down to your extremities in a matter of seconds, a cool liquidy feeling, followed by nervousness and a slight all over 'indian-burn' type feeling on your skin, numbness on the scalp like you can't get enough blood to flow up... I watched the Celestine Prophecy to lift my spirits and then went to sleep. I just have to stay positive and know that it will pass and that it's NOT dangerous. I'm still drinking lots of water, too. I will be clean and energized when this is all over :)

Keeping positive thoughts is veeeeery important while detoxing. iI's more than just a physical detox, it's also emotional and spiritual... there are a lot of repressed emotions that seem to be released when going through this and holding positive intentions will keep you from feeling hopeless and depressed and keep panic attacks at bay :/ . It WILL pass. Read or watch things that are positive and stay AWAY from the news!!

On a lighter note I'm glad its daytime and there's SUN OUTSIDE! WOOHOO!

I've had(so far...)

soaked pumpkin seeds
an orange
an apple
Spirulina, cacao, 2 banana, suma, reishii mushroom, maca, pureed date smoothie
rocket &watercress salad w/ sprouts, turmeric, cold-pressed xtra virgin olive oil and sea salt
a tomato, again, lol
2 carrots... :/
....

Loong work day... sigh

2009-11-24T16:28:00.006Z

Looooong day at work today. Didn't get much sleep as I was feeling the panic adrenaline in my blood stream... It seems like my hormones are out of whack and I get this way a week before 'Aunt Ruby' visits, lol... I'm trying to keep up my calories but it's hard when your raw. Felt a bit sleepy so I took a short nap, but I had to get up because the back of my head felt numb from laying on one side, and I have to be careful how I sit or lay because I will get numb very quickly on those spots. I'm drinking lots of water but it just makes me pee and it doesn't feel like I'm hydrated.... *sigh* I'm tying to increase my blood volume any way that I can as well so I think Increasing my calories will help me absorb water from the veggies.

I had:
a cup of spring water w/ 1 tsp. of spirulina & 1 apple for breakfast
(running too late for work to make a smoothie)
2 oranges for lunch
Spirulina, maca, dates, suma(for anemia) smoothie
Organic rocket and wtercress salad with sprouts and cumin powder
another apple and orange
a random tomato, sliced, plain... don't know why
Kidney beans with 2 cloves of raw garlic, cumin, chilli powder and a lil' salt... a bit like chili :)

I know not totally raw BUT full of iron! I am desparate to refilI my iron reserves (am not 100 percent but will not eat more than 1 cooked thing a day)

And 1 whole ruby red grapefruit (for VitC to help absorb the iron) sweetened w/ pureed dates in spring water

My First Post! Yaay...

2009-11-24T05:52:00.001Z

Hello Everyone! Welcome to the Raw Panda!! I started this blog to document my journey into raw foods and serious self healing. Being my first post I've decided to elaborate a lil' on my reasons for getting serious about going raw vegan. So why 'The Raw Panda'? Because I'm going high raw and I just like pandas! :P

So here goes:

Hmm, where do I start... I've recently, within the last few months, started to have anxiety, or panic attacks which is VERY unusual for me as I eat quite healthy, been vegetarian for a few years, but fell off the wagon for a year and a half (I know) and am now BACK on the wagon since April. I've never really been that stressed in my life to warrant my body going into almost physical convulsions and hyperventilation episodes... those are supposed to be reserved for life or death situations or something aren't they? Numb hands, dizziness, not feeling like I have enough oxygen, thick blood feeling, physically noticable low blood circulation to where I would get so pale that the rosacea around my nose would temporarily go away completely... and EXTREME HUNGER! Not even an 'I haven't eaten in 2 days' hunger but an intense zombie-like-rage-virus need for FOOD with weak knees and not being able to hold up my arms!

I was very confused as to what was going on with my body because I've always been able to handle stress, if that was indeed the cause. So I made an appointment with the doctor (which I didn't want to do) and found out that due to a miscarriage in April which ended with me needing 3 pints of blood put back in me, (it's ok, I'm not over it but everything happens for a reason and I'm dealing, emotional detox as well as physical) that I'm anemic... very very much so. On my blood work (ferritin, I think) on a scale of 20-300 mine was... *drumroll*, 17... yeah, I know, lower than the low score(yikes!) and thats in september/October approximately 5 months after the ordeal, and, of course, coupled with detoxification symptoms, which happen to be similar. I've been a wreck! The more I learn about Iron deficiency, the more serious I get about my raw diet... they say vegans and vegetarians are prone to becoming iron deficient, now they tell me.

So, here I am, of course something bad has to happen before we do something to help ourselves but, better late than never I guess. :) ... I haven't seen any raw food articles or sites having to do with the curing of anemia, unless I haven't looked hard enough, so I think starting this one will help me focus away from depression and anxiety and help others with similar problems. If I help someone, great. We'll heal together.