The raw vegan sushi made of avocado, green onion, sprouts, and walnut paste had me at hello. Walnuts also starred — along with sunflower oil — in the applesauce, and made their way into the pumpkin pie. This was not your average pie featuring our squashy friend the pumpkin, but a raw concoction of banana, strawberries, sunflower seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds, currants, coconut meat, and spices, sweetened with stevia and dates. These and other flavorful dishes were artfully shared at a  raw vegan meetup during a lovely October day in the park.

People following a raw foods diet feast on fruits, vegetables, sprouts, nuts, seeds, grains, sea vegetables, and other unprocessed organic or natural foods. Raw foodists believe heating food over roughly 116 degrees Fahrenheit destroys enzymes vital to the digestive process, and that cooking seriously diminishes the vitamin and mineral content of our food — the “Life-Force.”

Raw food folks report feeling and looking great, and improvements in their general physical and mental health. They say the diet gives them more energy, helps with losing weight and detoxification, and nurtures a sturdier immune system which can recover from many diseases. Some raw foodists also feel happier, more spiritually connected, and fulfilled knowing the diet benefits the planet and animals.

Have some fun shopping online and glancing at what award-winning author Ani Phyo keeps in her home.  Attending one of the Raw Spirit Festivals filled with chefs, speakers, music, and health-food devotees is sure to inspire too!

Tags: Ani Phyo, raw food, Raw Spirit Festivals, Sunfood Nutrition, vegan, vegan events, Vegetarian Events

Recent Entries

• Casa de Luz Brings Light to San Diego
• An Interview with George Vutetakis, Global Foods Expert
• Veg-Appeal Classes an Easy Way to Start a Healthier Year
• Sunwarrior Stands Out
• Arizona Inspiration and a 110-Year-Old
• Camu: Another Rainforest Miracle
• Ring in the New Year at Raw Spirit Festival, Phoenix
• New Sipz Location Joins Veg-Friendly North Park
• Veggie Cooking Show Mash Up
• Featured Interview: Compassion Couture Cultivates Style

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 6:33 am and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.