We made diet changes because we (especially me!) were so tired of chronic, nagging health problems.  I am an avid reader and have searched various sources over the years, looking for answers on a variety of topics.  Health was a big issue for me because I knew something was wrong.  I was young and energetic, but don’t remember ever being someone who could go without a LOT of sleep.  I do not ever remember having normal digestion or normal female cycles.  I had pale skin, hypoglycemia, slight anemia, hormone fluctuations, weight gain around my hips and thighs.  I remember being 18 years old and being so cold (during the Fall and Winter) that I would literally wear nylons, socks, boots, two shirts and a sweater and sit with a heater at my feet.  I learned later that this was due to poor circulation (a problem caused by poor digestion).   I would stand outside our car (waiting for my husband to unlock the door) and literally feel like I was going to freeze. . .now I can be patient because I am not bitterly cold anymore.  Hooray!  My cycles are pain free and digestion is just fine.  I knew that if I didn’t change something, I had a strong chance of having colon cancer.  

We really began this process of attempting to achieve vibrant health, years ago.  It started as just a simple goal of wanting to be trim and healthy and wanting to teach our children by example rather than empty talk.  I remember when we just wanted to incorporate more water into our diet and less soft drinks, coffee, etc.  We quit buying soft drinks for the home and we didn’t make coffee at home except for guests.  We began eating more vegetarian with fewer meat-based meals.  Overtime, we slowed down on dairy.  We experience good health (no long term sicknesses) but we didn’t have all the signs of a really healthy body.   We had our children drink water before any other beverage. . .

Our children were raised on breast milk for the first 8 months of their lives, exclusively, no processed baby food, formula or cereal.  (there are alternatives for those who can’t breast feed)  They have both been unbelievably healthy, bright and energetic.  (they have never been to the doctor for sickness of any kind)  Around 8-9 months, they were transitioned to fresh avocado (easy baby food) and bananas.  This was so simple and easy and the boys just loved it.  Then we just transitioned them into more foods along those lines.  (fresh pears, blended apples, almond milk, some cooked vegetables, cooked beans, wholesome bread, oatmeal, etc.)   I learned later that oatmeal can be eaten raw and is really great that way.  You just soak it overnight in water or let is soak for a few minutes in the morning. . .my children ate ½ as much oatmeal when it was made raw than they did when it was cooked.  Today, I grind oat groats in my blender and lightly cook it for them on a regular bases.  

As we went along, we learned that you will eventually consume less food on a raw-based diet because the nutrient content is so high the body becomes satisfied on less.  (For example:  I used to eat 4 or 5 slices of commercial pizza and still desire more. . .I could eat A LOT of potato chips and still feel hungry. . .after  your body adjusts to a raw-based diet, you find that a homemade pizza with some raw ingredients (or lightly cooked) on a wholesome crust is very filling)  

A friend of mine told me about a man that went around teaching people to get well by consuming raw foods.  I was curious about what he had to say and found out that the basic concept is this:  Eat 70% of your food raw and 30% cooked.  Drop all dairy, meat and any animal products.  Exchange normal grocery store salt with sea salt, exchange and limit sugar to turbinado, raw unfiltered honey, maple syrup or molasses AND change from white refined flour to freshly milled whole wheat.  We now drink purified water on a regular basis and we eat 50% to 70% raw every day and we consume a variety of beans and whole grain, delicious bread!  We also transitioned to organic food and have helped other families do the same through co-op shopping.  When we do cook, we use stainless steel, waterless cookware.

Just in case you wonder about men and hard physical labor. . .My husband  worked for a year, in outside sales, working long hours in Texas heat and did fantastic on this diet.   He dropped 40 lb and his heart stopped skipping beats.  (Prior to the diet change, his heart would skip beats throughout the day and he wondered if he was going to die or something!)  His doctor told him he needed to lose weight and take Niacin pills.  The pills gave him hot flashes!  ( :  He dropped the pills, made the diet change and has never felt better.  He sleeps better, stopped snoring and has had consistent energy.  Hooray again!  ( :  (especially the no-snoring part!)  

With what I know today, I would go to an all raw (plant based) diet immediately if I was diagnosed with any form of cancer or other type of disease.  Of course, I would pray and hope and make sure my attitude/emotions are in check with God and everyone else!  I have friends who have healed themselves of cancer by refusing chemo therapy and fighting their illness with prayer and A LOT of raw foods. . .especially green leafy vegetables and fresh juice.  I don’t teach people to refuse chemo therapy. . .I don’t know enough to say that. . .but I am shocked at how many people go through that process and eat lifeless food at the same time.   I am purposefully including raw food in my diet as a way of preventing disease rather than waiting for something terrible to happen. 

 When we made the big plunge, it was just a moment in time, when myself and my husband were ready to move further down the road in our commitment to being really healthy.  We got off the fence, so to speak.  ( :  We felt that we were giving our children a mixed message. . .one day:  “oh, yes, we eat healthy” next day:  “well, this isn’t so healthy” back and forth and back and forth with equal amounts of healthy days and bad days.  We had a very moderate diet which we thought should make us energetic and trim, but it didn’t.

So, here we are five years later and very happy with the changes and truly amazed at the number of foods and ideas that we have yet to try that are within the guidelines of 70% raw and 30% cooked.  By the way, we were also told that after two years of this kind of diet, our veins would become completely clean with little to no plaque build up.  Again, we thought, well, we’ve gone this far. . .why not give it two years.  

When we made the diet change, our children were 6 months, 3 ½, 7 and 7 ½.  At the time, we had two boys living with us that we had hopes of adopting.  (It turned out that they were not legally free and so they left our home and may return someday)  The 7 year old had been on medication prior to coming to our home and part of the time that he was with us.  His medication was Adderol (a controlled substance just like Ritalin).  This little boy had painful digestion and terrible breath.  His tongue was coated with a thick, white substance every morning.  After doing a modified transition, his bad breath went away and he no longer had digestive trouble.  He also began to do well in school and far exceeded what the previous predictions were about him.  There were other factors involved in the success he achieved, structure, routines, etc.  But the fact was, he was noticeably better.  

I have emails on how to store produce so it lasts, diet guidelines, what to eat when you are on the go, what a healthy refrigerator looks like, how we made the transition, etc. I regularly teach people how to make easy whole grain bread products and at the same time I try as hard as I can to encourage them to consume more raw food, juice if they can find the time and slow down on the other foods (dairy, meat, etc.) at least for 6 months and see how they feel.  If they don’t’ want to let go of meat, I encourage them to go to local sources for hormone free, anti-biotic free meat.  I have co-op members who buy raw goat or cow’s milk, too.  Of course, I don’t encourage  people to change if they are already experiencing vibrant health doing whatever they are currently doing.  ( :

As for supplements, I do take them and feel they are an important part of maintaining and achieving excellent health.  I distribute them as a part of our family business.  I take supplements that have three factors that set them apart from others:  1.  They are grown on organic soil (the entire process is controlled by one manufacturer, with plants processed into supplements within 2 to 4 hours of harvest)  2.  Low-heat processed to preserve nutrient AND 3.  Standardized (like pharmaceutical products) so each serving has the nutrient that is on the label.   American’s are notorious for taking supplements “because their diet is so bad.”  And, they are even more notorious for taking supplements that don’t even dissolve in their body!  I teach folks to fix their diet and take specific supplements based on their time in life and their lifestyle. 

So with all that said, we are on a little journey here and are taking as many people with us as we can.  It’s been fun and it feels really good.  It tastes great, too!  Hooray for fruits, veggies, grains and beans!