Are Processed Foods Killing Us?
Research and studies have shown there are differences in quality of life in those who eat fresh whole foods, compared to that of heavily processed chemical laden foods and beverages.
There are lots of theories out there about what we should eat to stay healthy. From my point of view and own experience, the answer is found outside. On an outing yesterday I was watching large muscular animals, horses, cows and even lamas eating. What was it that they were eating Greens, lots of Greens! They were not hunting each other or other animals for sustenance, they spend all day grazing, shooing flies, soaking in the fresh air and sunlight. I was talking with the farmer and found out that during the spring and summer months he doesn’t feed them anything, except let them out to graze, occasional fresh veggies, along with fresh water of course. Again I say these are huge powerful animals that do not eat meat!
I myself have within the last year gone from S.A.D (Standard American Diet) to Raw/ Living and Loving it! There has been ups and downs during the conversion manly due to people around me not understanding what I am doing, because they are so willing to stick with their SAD learned behaviors. I have also had local natural food store owners, and even natural doctors even try to warn me about being malnourished on a raw food diet, but considering I feel the best I ever have in my entire life it doesn’t take a physicists to figure this one out.
Before my way of eating changed I was eating organic foods but they were still processed and cooked. Even on organic foods I was depressed, constipated, IBS if I would try to eat out some where, always tired, always getting sick, munching down on antacids to balance out the not good feeling in my stomach, 30 pounds over weight, I had ADD, anger issues, and the list goes on.. I am sure some of you can relate. Once I started transitioning to a raw food diet through unprocessed slightly cooked vegetables, sprouted whole grains, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits, and organic unrefined oils. I started to feel alive for the FIRST time in my life! I was alert, thinking clearly, I had energy, I started going to the bathroom (woohoo!), I started having clarity in all aspects of my life that I had never had before. This is when I knew I was on to something spectacular! I did transition to a totally living/raw vegan diet and I am feeling the huge difference between the two ways of life. When I do give in and try to eat something from the mainstream way of life, I feel the effects of it immediately in various ways, constipation, depression, fatigue, anger… So when someone asks me how can you stay on this diet, I now ask how can you not? To me the proof is in the experience. Yes there are lots of theories out there on what to eat, but if you are not getting back to basics, natural, fresh, organic, full of life and live utilizable nutrients, then your body, mind, spirit, and our beautiful planet will not be vibrantly singing with life.
Cathi Schroettner 8-18-08
