Wow – last weekend was fabulous for raw foodists here in Melbournetown.
On the hot, hot, hot Saturday afternoon, the Melbourne Raw Food Meet-up Group got together to feast on scrumptious raw creations, and to view the recently released Real N’ Raw movie. Have you heard about this movie?
It follows the story of Matthew Wilson, a young man who cured himself of serious illness, and it features interviews with inspirational people who’ve healed themselves, and many raw-food leaders and health professionals, including Don Tolman, David Wolfe, Dr Laura Lyons, Mike Adams, Rainbeau Mars, Viktoras Kulvinskas, Matt Amsden, Victoria and Sergei Boutenko, Janette MurrayWakelin and many others.
I love that wise quotes are peppered throughout the film, including this gem:
“It is easier to change a man’s religion than it is to change his diet.”
Hmmm, how very true.
It really is a compelling film, and I love that half (that’s right, half!) of the sales of the DVD are being donated to Fruit for Our Children Charitable Trust, which is committed to growing fruit trees in New Zealand, for future generations to benefit from. If you’d like to know more about the trust, head to http://fruitforourchildren.com/.
The film is available now on DVD, at http://realnraw.co.nz/, and it features a bonus soundtrack of 17 reggae songs. Groovy, mon!
The other highlight of our weekend was a visit from David Wolfe, as part of his whirlwind Australian tour. A packed auditorium (and boy, do I mean packed – like, people sitting on the steps) hosted the event, and we were entertained and informed for well over three hours.
With medical practitioners as parents, it’s any wonder David ventured into the health field. It’s obvious his knowledge is incredible (and having a masters degree in nutrition and a background in science and mechanical engineering proves he’s one smart raw cookie) – but three hours was barely enough time to scratch the surface of his amazing databank.
He showed us photos of unusual superfood plants, and played videos of beautiful fresh-water springs from around the world (just hearing the sound of the water gushing was exhilarating!). He’s even convinced me to go barefoot more often, and to find out about a little electronic device that he wears on plane to help keep him grounded. However, although he did put forward a compelling argument for including raw chocolate regularly in our diets, I’m still sceptical that it’s the best superfood, given its high caffeine content – a view that’s backed up by Dr Jameth Sheridan in an interview I listened to recently on the Raw Food World Radio Show (that show is still available for free download at http://riverbender.com/rawspirit/, until the end of March). But I still feel good about including it occasionally in my children’s diet.
The event was beautifully orchestrated, with David’s books available for sale, including The Sunfood Diet Success System
David then spent the evening entertaining and dining with raw peeps at Le Cru, Melbourne’s only raw-food restaurant. I couldn’t go, but I heard it was a hoot!
If you’re interested in David’s teachings, I’d advise checking out his books and visiting his subscription website – www.thebestdayever.com – where you’ll find years’ worth of archived interviews, articles and audio downloads.
It’s wonderful to have a full weekend immersed in gaining knowledge, and being with a community that inspires and supports each other. I get the feeling that we’re going to have to organise more of these events, as more and more people awaken and come to realise that their health really is in their own hands.
Have a wonderful week, everybody, and hug your babies.
Love Jo
Have you noticed there seems to be a movement sweeping through the raw community..? Many people are discussing it, many are doing it, and some are advocating it. I’m talking about the idea of widening our conception of what in fact is the healthiest diet. Let me ask you something, do YOU know what the optimal diet is? Most of us here would say a raw diet. Buuuuut, what exactly is a raw diet? How raw are you supposed to be to be considered raw? Is it all or nothing, or how important is the percentages of raw to cooked ratio for health? Does being raw mean being vegan? How healthy is the struggle of striving for a particular ideal, only to fail time and time again? How about when you desire certain goals, but the stress of striving for them outweigh the results? What about if there is judgement from other people or YOURSELF? Are there issues that lie underneath that aren’t being addressed through diet alone? Is focusing solely on diet as the means of obtaining health balanced? Or can it become toxic? What about the kids?? What does all the hyper-focus on the food mean to them? Is being raw a rawligion? What does it really mean to YOU?
I have always wondered…just because it worked for some, does that mean it will work for you and me? These people found what worked for them. THAT sounds like the real message to me. I don’t think anyone can say for sure what the perfect diet is for everyone, at every stage of their life.
I most care about creating a safe haven for mothers on their journey. If I can do anything, it would be to support and encourage, offering some inspiration perhaps. But never to tell anyone what to do. I will always share what I do or what I would do in your situation if you ask me. And I would love to see other raw moms here with a variety of approaches so people can gravitate to what they resonate with. This will become a living community with a diverse and vibrant approach reflecting the evolution of sacred parenting at every stage. I’m not an authority. I’m no guru. Gosh, I’m so bored of gurus, aren’t you? I’m just like you- a mom- who loves my children dearly and wants to give them the best foundation I can in life.
I make up a big batch at a time and usually make three different flavours at once, the regular ketchup version, a hare krisna cuisine style chutney and my take on BBQ sauce. I’m pretty lax on measurements in my kitchen so feel free to experiment with the quatities I have listed. Most of all, remember to have fun…
This is a little ceramic (there are plastic ones too for travel) that looks like a little white tea pot without a lid. This a nasal irrigation device based on Auyervedic tradition that helps with sinus problems or allergies. I don’t have either problems- maybe that is because of my healthy diet, or maybe its because I use my neti pot. I only use it once in a while though, unless I’m doing a cleanse, then every other day. It’s super easy to use. You fill it up with warm water and a small amount of ground sea salt and ensure that the salt is dissolved. Then tip the spout into one nostril as you lean over the bathroom sink, and just allow the water to travel along the nasal passage and flow out the other nostril.
Oil pulling is another ancient Auyervedic system that is used to remove toxins from the body by way of the saliva. Swishing about a tablespoon or 2 into your mouth for about 15 minutes first thing in the morning on an empty stomach is all it takes. You do not gargle with the oil, just vigorously swish it around in your mouth while you open the mail or file your nails or whatever multi-tasking you like, and then spit out into the sink and rinse. It is apparently good for just about every condition known. The theory is that it exerts a powerful detoxification effect on the entire body through picking up germs and bacteria in our mouth and even beyond by pulling them through the mucous membranes in the mouth from the body. These toxins enter our saliva through a process of enzymatic action in the bloodstream and are drawn up and eventually out of our body with the oil that captures them. Never swallow the oil as it becomes toxic. And the key with this as with most health practices is consistency. Apparently, it is really effective. I am doing it several times a week and am enjoying it. Use cold pressed organic sesame oil (un-roasted) or Olive or coconut oil. This is an act of self love.
You are already doing this daily I hope. It’s as simple as taking a spoon and scraping your tongue to remove excess film that is loaded with bacteria and plaque building micro-organisms. I use an actual device called a tongue scraper that I got from the Health food store and that and brushing/flossing my teeth first thing in the morning is the KEY to me waking up my body-temple in the morning and feeling ready to face the day. Oral hygiene is so important. I have a heart condition which makes it even more so, but anyone will add years to their life if they take good care here. That is an actual fact. Affirm when you do it ‘I enjoy taking care of my self.’
OOOOoooOOoO I LOVE THIS ONE! Our feet contain many meridians of energy that are stimulated and activated when we walk barefoot which help discharge Electromagnetic Pollution as well as invigorate all the organs which correspond to the reflex points on the soles of the feet. I started doing this several years into my raw life as I noticed I naturally felt so much stronger and heartier especially in the cold weather and even winter snow. I have recently learned that my natural urge to be barefoot is actually a true health practice which people like David Wolfe and Daniel Vitalis have been sharing a lot about recently. This is my 4th year and I have to say its such a pleasure to go barefoot out in Nature. Please do it with extreme mindfulness if you wish to try it. I don’t recommend doing it in urban areas. Learn to step with care and confidence. Love your feet, love your journey.
