Anyone remember this Napoleon Dynamite video? Who knew he was making a case for the raw food movement?! Although I wouldn’t suggest drinking raw eggs, I think actually seeing them do so takes raw food to a whole new level and makes me gag a little! It’s up to you to decide if you want to be a part of that level or not…I choose not. However, I do think it’s important to explore raw food.

The raw food diet says that the most healthful food for the body is uncooked. If food is heated it should only be heated to 104 to 118 degrees Fahrenheit (some food can be heated to a higher temp without destroying its enzymes).

The cooking process is thought to destroy the enzymes naturally found in food. Raw foodies say enzymes are the life force of food and understandably since they help us to digest food and absorb nutrients. Without these functions our bodies really wouldn’t last long. They believe that if we eat too much cooked food, our bodies are forced to work harder by producing more enzymes. Our bodies only have a certain number of enzymes and once they are gone the body cannot make any more which is why it is helpful to eat foods rich in enzymes. A lack of enzymes from food can lead to a whole bunch of problems like digestive issues, nutrient deficiency, accelerated aging, and even weight gain.

Enzymes help to support a healthy immune and digestive system. They are needed to break down food in your system and help to provide the needed energy for the body to function.

It’s a good idea to add in at least some raw food to your diet. You don’t need to go entirely raw to gain the benefits of a raw diet. In fact some people will not do well on an entirely raw diet while others will thrive. It’s important to decide what food works best for your body. Summer is the perfect time to experiment with raw foods. It’s easy to find a lot of fresh, raw food during the summer months and best of all your body craves these foods during this season because of the hot weather so you won’t feel like you are trying to force yourself to eat raw food! Try it out and see how your body does when you add in some uncooked food!

Try this Summer recipe!

(I know it’s hard to find basil in some places over seas so if you can’t this recipe is still good with some olive oil in its place!)

So, now that you know how adding raw food into your diet can affect you it’s important to vote with your fork or your “mouse” as the case may be Please take a minute to sign the petition below in order to keep the government funds that are supporting organic and sustainable farmers in tact!

Sign the petition now!

If you are interested in learning more about what I do and if I can help you, sign up for a FREE health consult today! You can reach me at [email protected] or go to my website www.thegoodfoodmood.com. Go to forms and fill out either the woman’s or man’s health history and we’ll set up a time to discuss your health goals that works for you