Life's Not Fair

So drawled Scar on The Lion King. The adults laughed, probably for two reasons. Firstly, we’ve been around long enough to know it’s the truth and, secondly, we hear our kids say it all the time, like they’re the only ones it’s ever happened to. And if we’re honest, we’re inclined to lament the line as well.

Every so often I write in my blog or say to clients that eating high raw (or all raw) offers no guarantee to me (or you) that I will escape life’s bullets of ill health or life threatening disease. Because of recent events within my circle of contacts, a few weeks ago I witnessed the truth of this.

Anyone who says that positive thinking, eating only food that creates an alkaline state or otherwise following rules of healing will fix ‘it’ is wrong. I will say again there are no guarantees that I will finally depart this life as a healthy and vibrant old lady. I might, but I might not. 

The only thing I know for sure is that by living the way I do I raise my chances of it significantly. And that is quite different.

It would be easy for me to only tell you about the lovely success stories I hear so often. That would be duplicitous at best, hypocritical and dishonest at worst.

Fortunately, there are so many stories of improved health, symptoms disappearing, increase of energy and weight being lost. These stories far outweigh the ‘not-quite’ versions. I see the effects of food and drink changes so often that it convinces me of the truth in the possibilities but not in the 100%.

Everything in life is a risk. It really depends on what we choose to do. Doing nothing is a risk, too. I would rather manage my risk than let life buffet me at its will.

Death will reach us all in the end but I’m doing my best to live the longest, most fulfilling life I can.

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A correction to the blog sent on the 18th May, 2013.

"In 90% of breast cancer tumours, parabens are found. Link 1. Link 2." is re-phrased to the following:

The two studies mentioned found parabens in breast tissue taked from female participants who had had tumours removed. The tumours themselves were not tested. Additionally, some study participants reported having never used underarm cosmetics (the suggested source of parabens), yet parabens were still found in their breast tissue.

The correlation suggested between parabens in these studies was that breast tissue could be a storage area for some types of parabens. As yet, there is no correlation between parabens and the causation of breast tumours. But, as I mentioned in the original post, knowing parabens are found in breast tissue is sufficient knowledge for me to avoid them and wait for further studies.

Christine

www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

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Easy Sprouts

Many of you Kiwi readers will be familiar with Good Magazine. I am proud to be part of their blogger-squad. There are three blog posts so far and I will be publishing one each fortnight on their webpage. You can find a link to them here.

These blogs will be different from my usual weekly musings so you may like to pop over and subscribe to Good Fortnightly; it is free. If on the other hand you fancy subscribing to their hard copy magazine (monthly) as well, there is a link on the free newsletter page.

If you're one of my overseas readers, then you can enjoy a little bit of Good kiwi writing, too.

I get their magazine and I enjoy it every time. So if you're even one of these: slightly (or very) green, like recycling, try to buy local, do a bit of DIY sometimes, enjoy fashion and food that is eco-conscious but still amazing, then this magazine is for you!

Fellow Aucklanders (and those who like to travel) might be interested in Good's Event, Discover the Secrets of Slow.

Amazing Sprouts is now in stock. Get yourself a copy for $18.50 (+ post)

"Amazing recipes and techniques on how to successfully sprout at home.

Pam Blowers - Author and founder of Viola Organics has written an informative and helpful 84 page book providing you with tips, recipes, ideas and contacts for all that is required to sprout a delicious array of vegetables.

Save lots of money by sprouting your own seeds, all that is required is a glass jar and special sprouting lid and you're away.

Other recipes included; smoothies, dressing, hummus, cakes, vegetarian patties and much more."

Christine
www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

Breast Cancer, Angelina Jolie and Me (and you)

Breast cancer is scary. Any cancer is scary. Angelina Jolie's decision to have a double mastectomy has brought a flurry of callers to talk-back - all with their stories of how it has been for them: their mother, aunt, sister, grandmother etc. I don't think there are many readers of this blog who haven't been affected by breast cancer, including me.

My maternal grandmother had pre-menopausal breast cancer and was one of the first successful post-mastectomy survivors in New Zealand, in the 1940's. It has made me very aware and I've already had one 'scare' needing an operation a few years back. All clear, thankfully - for now.

So what do I do to raise my chances of outsmarting and avoiding breast cancer? Trying to stay informed is important. Well thought out decisions can be made if you do due diligence to the plethora of information available. I read conventional as well as alternative and some that combine the two. So here is my approach.

I'm pretty careful about what goes into my body; I eat and drink well - this forms part of my decision to remain high raw. I've written about it a lot.

I'm also pretty careful about what goes ON to my body and what cleaning products come into our house. As much as possible I choose body care that is as chemical free as possible. The first things I look for on an ingredient label are parabens. In 90% of breast cancer tumours, parabens are found. Link 1. Link 2. Now whether they cause or contribute to tumours or if breast tissue is a storage area, is moot to me. They are there and I'm not waiting for research to discover it for me. I will pay more for body care and cosmetics that contain as few chemicals as possible. What goes on to the skin (the largest organ our body has) is absorbed into our body - again whether it is a little or a lot being absorbed is immaterial to me. A little is good enough reason for me to change what I buy.

Even if there are no parabens, I play ingredient detective on the other items.

If you don't know where to start with good body care products, here are some brands: Miessence (this is the link to my site), Inika, Karen Murrell, Karen Farley, Trilogy, Viola, Living Nature, Annmarie Gianni. There are more but that list is to get you started.

For house products I use Wendyl's Green Goddess, make it myself (ask me for recipes for laundry liquid and dish washer powder) or choose what I think is the best in the supermarket. Beware the 'green washing' that is on labels. Check research in conscientious magazines such as Organic NZ and Good. Don't forget Uncle Google - he can be quite helpful.

This body is the only one I'll have so I choose to give it the material it needs to maintain, fight and repair.

These actions are part of my Life Insurance program. I know there are no guarantees but I also know I raise me and my family's chances of avoiding disease or fighting it if I do these things.

I haven't said anything about mammography or thermography - except that I'm overdue (tut, tut) and I will make an appointment for one or the other very soon.

New book this week: Amazing Sprouts by Pamela Blowers (NZ) $18.50. Author and founder of Viola Organics. I read it this week and found it inspiring and easy to implement. I'm pleased to recommend it to you (with the exception of the few soy inclusions - you might recall I'm not 'best friends'with soy)

Christine
www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

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The Anglo-Far East Company
The Original Private Gold and Silver Bullion Custodian
Your reference when you order: an-001
____________________________________________________
YOUnique Gold and Silver
Buy small, affordable physical gold and silver or start a savings program towards physical gold or silver grams for as little as US$25 per month.
Blog : www.goldsilver-money.blogspot.com
____________________________________________________

Raw in Magazines

Raw in magazines, raw in the papers, raw on TV and radio. Anyone would think it’s a fad. To some it is and they will move on to the next thing soon enough.

For others this is fast becoming a lifestyle that changes everything.

For raw in the magazine (starring ME!) go to your magazine rack at your favourite shop and buy the latest M2Woman. Check their online info; they might have it up soon.

For raw on the TV. Go to TV On Demand and look for Seven Sharp, Friday 19 April. Just for the record, I am not a regular watcher of this. Why some people see other people’s choices and react like it’s their judgement, I’ll never know. If you’re comfortable with your choices, why get defensive? Enough said.

For raw in the paper, see today’s Stuff. It is also in the Sunday Times in the Magazine section.

For raw on the radio, see my site for the interview I had with Annabelle White and Duncan Garner.

For raw with YOU…what’s it going to be? Are you feeling that now is the time for change?

If you are saying, “Yes!” Here are some options for you:

Consultation – one hour with me to listen, ask questions, set you up with guidelines, boost your confidence and be your Cheer Leader.

Seven Day Program - The Silver DIY
- The Gold Level MixnMatch (up to two weeks of raw and cooked food)

Would you like to talk about it before making the Big Jump? Book me for a free 15 minute pre-consultation.

Christine

www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

____________________________________________________

The Anglo-Far East Company
The Original Private Gold and Silver Bullion Custodian
Your reference when you order: an-001

Healthy Habits for Busy Women

I've teamed with a chiropractor and personal fitness trainer for, Tuesday, 16 April, 7 - 8.30 pm: Healthy Habits for Busy Women.

The plan is to rotate every 30 mins for a mini-class on each of these subjects. Chiropractory, personal fitness and raw food.

My sessions will (of course!) be raw food and how to introduce more of it in your everyday busy lives.

As you know, I'm about small and gradual changes not total flips of lifestyle. Baby steps, baby steps. If this sounds like something you'd like to check out and maybe bring a curious friend with you, then pop over here and register.

Tickets are just $20. You'll be sampling my demonstrations and taking home the recipes, too.

There are limited places (Sally's place is only 'so' big) so don't muck around or you might miss out.

If you enjoy the evening and decide you would like to learn more, Sally, Aimee and I are currently organising a day workshop in June. There will be more details about this on the evening of 16 April.

Christine
www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

____________________________________________________

The Anglo-Far East Company
The Original Private Gold and Silver Bullion Custodian
Your reference when you order: an-001
____________________________________________________
YOUnique Gold and Silver
Buy small, affordable physical gold and silver or start a savings program towards physical gold or silver grams for as little as US$25 per month.
Blog : www.goldsilver-money.blogspot.com
____________________________________________________

Raw Food for Children

This week I took a mini-workshop-healthy-food-education-thing for children.

A wise person once said the truth has to be simple enough for a child to understand, so I figured they'd be smart enough to either start or add to their young knowledge of what is good food and why should we eat it.

There really isn't too much difference in teaching that to adults: I just use more complicated words :-)

Kids keep you on your toes: they haven't learnt the art of polite indifference yet; when they're bored or had enough or need a change of pace, they sure let you know.

There's something in the genetic make-up of most kids that tends not to take what a mother says seriously; teachers always know better. Enter, Christine: teacher of healthy food and how to do it. I'm also a mum but the children didn't twig to that. They actually took most of it in (one can't expect perfection), and what didn't settle into their young minds this time laid a passive foundation for a later day.

The gist of it: what happens when you put the wrong fuel in a car? What happens to your pet if you feed it 'people food' or cheap stuff instead of good pet food? What happens to a garden if the soil isn't fed each season? No matter where you look in nature and in man-made products, you get out what you put in - including YOU. If you want to look like a Princess or be a Superman (or an athlete...whatever is applicable to a child) then you have to give your body the food and drink it needs.

Our bodies are marvellously designed to be able to absorb the Good Stuff (nutrients) in our food and food is marvellously designed to be able to supply it. But here's the clincher: you have to put it in your mouth! Osmosis is for trees not people. Nor can you stand outside, and breathe in what nutrition you need.

We made vanilla ice cream sundaes with blueberries and chocolate sauce, with chocolate chips. It was all raw and all good for them. Most liked it, one wasn't a fan of vanilla but she'd probably like it with another flavour. Another one wasn't fond of blueberries (sad child!). No matter, there are so many alternatives. The point was to show them that healthy food can be very yummy indeed and there's no need to give up all your favourites- just find another way of making it.

Then I showed them how I make raw pasta with courgettes. They all wanted a turn, of course. We poured over the Red Capsicum Vinaigrette and they devoured it. Yes,I know they ate the 'hard tucker' after their sweet but it didn't bother them.

Lesson for me - never assume that kids might not like something. They loved it.

Mission accomplished!

Thank you, Rebecca and friends, for the privilege of speaking into your youngsters lives.

Check out my Raw Food Program - many of the recipes are perfect for children - especially the sweets and dressings! Starting a change-over to more raw is so much easier if you start with the sweets!

Christine
www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

____________________________________________________

The Anglo-Far East Company
The Original Private Gold and Silver Bullion Custodian
Your reference when you order: an-001
____________________________________________________
YOUnique Gold and Silver
Buy small, affordable physical gold and silver or start a savings program towards physical gold or silver grams for as little as US$25 per month.
Blog : www.goldsilver-money.blogspot.com
____________________________________________________

Diabetes and Raw Food

On Thursday afternoon I had my brief moment of radio-fame. It might be the only one I ever get. Hopefully not; I rather enjoyed it, once the first flutter of nerves had gone. One could get used to being on radio, one could. (Listen here)

I had written quite a few notes in anticipation of talking about diabetes and raw food. It didn’t quite work out that way. That’s fine; I still introduced raw food possibilities to radio staff and listeners. And who knows, I might have the opportunity to present Diabetes and Raw Food over the air-waves another day. I’ll let you know.

Not wanting to waste my efforts, I decided to give them to you.

Here’s what I didn’t say:

Why Is Raw Food So Important (For Diabetes)?

The diabetic epidemic currently in the headlines can be mostly tracked back to lifestyle and that would be largely diet.

Eating more raw food is a viable option for those facing the reality of diabetes; in fact, anyone will benefit by learning how to incorporate more raw into their life.

It’s all very well to tell someone who’s pre or fully diabetic to not eat this or that but they need to know what to replace it with. It needs to be wholefood where possible to give their bodies the nutrients they need to improve their life. There’s nothing to lose, and you could get your life back – literally.

That’s what my goal is working with clients – eat real food and see what it can do for your health.

This doesn’t mean one has to stop eating meat but increase the amount of raw fruit and vegetables where possible.

A health improvement may be the motivation you need to adjust a meat intake. Who knows?  The sacrifice may be worth it.

Cooked food and raw food can be successfully combined and the ratio altered as one gets used to it.

Ideas to get started

• Pasta can be replaced with spiralised courgette, and ravioli with sliced courgette. Rice could be replaced with a cauliflower risotto.
• Depending on the severity of diabetes, one can replace cakes and biscuits with sweet treats such as Chocolate Date and Nut Rolls or banana ice cream. There is a raw version of cheesecake, which is so good.
• Wherever possible remove food from your life that has artificial sweetener, flavour enhancers and trans fats. That would help a great deal.
• Avoid preservatives and added anything, including scary numbers and names we can’t pronounce. 
• Eat foods as close as possible to the original food.
• Work on changes a bit at a time. Changing everything all at once is overwhelming and sets you up for failure.
• Replacements for sugar for diabetes: agave can be low GI (depending on the brand and how a body reacts), coconut sugar, yacon and of course, stevia. I prefer not to use artificial sweeteners.

What are some of the best raw foods and why?

Buy what is seasonal. It’s at peak nutrition and probably budget friendly.

The most important raw foods to increase are greens. As this is possibly off-putting to people, let’s leave that for another day. Just start with more fresh fruit and vegetable and feel the difference it can make.

Taking ActionA wise book says to “Buy wisdom.” I agree. It will save you both time and money.

Workshops are coming up; email me christine@gomoreraw.com and I’ll send the dates.

Other options are private consultations and a raw food program available (menu, recipes, shopping list, instructional videos and support).

If you DIY with raw food changes be aware that a raw recipe book or site may advocate dried fruit especially dates; they are the base of a few sweet treats.

Timing is important for eating sweet things, diabetics will know this. You might be able to eat date-based sweets as part of a meal rather than a mid-morning snack that spikes blood sugar.

Most importantly, stay in contact with your doctor and stay on your meds.

Christine
www.gomoreraw.com
email: christine@gomoreraw.com

____________________________________________________

The Anglo-Far East Company
The Original Private Gold and Silver Bullion Custodian
Your reference when you order: an-001
____________________________________________________
YOUnique Gold and Silver
Buy small, affordable physical gold and silver or start a savings program towards physical gold or silver grams for as little as US$25 per month.
Blog : www.goldsilver-money.blogspot.com
____________________________________________________