Replied By Caitlin (Austin, TX) on 05/02/2009

You are right about a raw food diet; it does work! I did this for a week many years ago and I looked incredibly younger, seeing a difference after only 4 days. People thought I was my husband's daughter. But, it was soooo hard to maintain alone and with my low iron problems. My body craves a little protein and feels great when it gets it without grains or milk, my nemeses.

Interestingly, I once did a 30 day fresh carrot and veggie juice fast before a birthday; it was enlightening. I had to take an enema every other day as the bowel system functions less during this time. After the 3rd day I was not hungry and became committed to the full 30 days. BUT, around the 21st day - OH MY GOODNESS - I had an overwhelming desire to hit the toilet and the black tar that came out of ME for 20 straight minutes was astounding. I had NO idea how clogged and rimmed my colon had become with years of viscous, putrid, tarry offal. It wasn't pretty and it smell to high heaven; my husband opened all the windows. Afterwards, I had this overwhelming sense of spiritual lightness and a desire to finally eat. Elated, I goofed and ate pizza! Go Figure an Idiot! That cleansing experience was a wake up call that I ignored. So now, with diabetes dogging me I am committed to getting this body to a place it has always wanted to be. I totally get it that on this planet it is the ONLY thing that is truly MINE. It is the temple that houses ME and I've kept it very unclean and I reflect this. Well, enough is enough. As a friend once said, "Cat, we're not 16 anymore and our bodies are telling us this every day. We gotta listen." Sooooo, I'm listing now and I've made my body a LIFE PROMISE and I'm getting it together. THANKS BODY for waiting on me. :)

Replied By Vina (Powder Springs, GA) on 05/02/2009

Replied By Cat (Austin, TX) on 06/14/2009

I once read of a group of pure raw foodists who, after many years on this healthy diet, began feeling decidedly ill, with declining health. They found that their B12 and iron stores were extremely low despite eating high protein vegetables like sprouted grains and exotic fruits and taking B12 shots. They decided to try 3oz of high quality lightly braised liver which is full of iron and B vitamins. Some tried cottage cheese. They were astounded with the results which included complete alleviation of their sick feelings. These old dudes began advocating eating a small amount of meat or cottage cheese at least once a week. Still, there are a lot of dogmatic purists out there who believe in only raw fruits and veggies. I found that they have no answer for genetic allergies which can cause many health problems as well as death. For some, allergies go away on raw as the stomach gets better and some not. There are sooooo many raw food books at health stores and on amazon and the diet is all over the net. Just read and find something that suits you and your lifestyle.

I personally decided after much experimentation and research that what works best for me with diabetic genetics is the following: 1 fruit, large amounts of raw salad, raw juices, and 3-6 oz of cooked meat daily. This works because I'm totally allergic to, in all their forms, wheat, soy, corn, oatmeal, nuts,seeds, egg whites, oranges and all milk products. I will say one thing; the first time I tried raw juices and it was just for 4 days, my hair grew an inch. I know this because I had a brand new straight perm and at the end of 4 days, I had an inch of coiled new growth all over my scalp. So raw is extremely nutrient dense. Research and experiment with what works best for your own body with its unique chemistry and genetic inheritance. Raw does works but follow the rules that work for you.

Replied By Preet (New York, USA) on 06/15/2009

Replied By Catlin (Austin, TX) on 06/19/2009

Oh dear! before I forget, something else happened. My husband, daughter and I were driving to the bookstore on my 4th day and as GOD IS MY WITNESS my vision suddenly brightened and, like an old wily coyote binocular experience became extremely focused and my ears popped; in that order. Colors were seriously brilliant and brighter, as if I had been seeing at half clarity all along and sounds got instantly louder as if my ears were suddenly unplugged. I sat there a moment, without speaking, taking it all in. To say I was astounded would be an understatement! I tried to explain what was going on to my husband and daughter who was in the back seat, but they laughed and looked at me as if I was making it all up to convince them to go RAW. I wasn't, this actually happened. I ALSO had never experienced THIS before or after going RAW. Another thump to the noggin, perhaps? Saying this now, remembering it now, leads me to conclude that incorporating lots of raw into the diet is the way to go. Hope I haven't confused anyone, but it's all true. Thanks, and Peace Out -CAT