Thanks for sharing.Let Me Tell You What I Think of the Raw Food Movement
Written by Tera on November 23, 2010 – -Oooh! With all this huffing and puffing I’ve been hearing about meat, veganism, raw food and dairy on Facebook lately, I decided it was time that this article resurface. I wrote it a few years ago, but it’s as true today and perhaps I didn’t say it loud enough the first time.
By Tera Warner
Okay, I admit that I’ve had more than my fair share of contradicting information when it comes to the “right” way to approach the Raw Food Diet, and today I’d like to set the record straight.
This morning I received an article in my inbox and it was talking about the dangers of consuming too much fruit in the raw food diet. First of all, I love the author and felt like everything was written with great integrity and clarity. The proof was carefully laid out, and the reasoning behind it all was perfectly “sensible,” and yet reading this article, I started to feel rather upset!
Why?
Because I could show you another link, well, dozens of them, in fact, that claim the complete 180 degree opposite of this to be true with as much “sensible” reasoning and proof to back them up as well.
Frankly what shocks me is opposed camps in the raw food movement, and yet BOTH sides of the camp claim “their” way is “the right way” and then proceed to invalidate any other paths by claiming that they lead to misery and failure. The end result, as far as I am concerned, just creates a whole bunch of confusion for people who are looking to succeed in improving their health, and divides us as a raw food community.
The Fat-Fruit Controversy is not the only dichotomy in the Raw Food Movement by any stretch of the imagination. There are the Enzyme-elievers and Nay-sayers, the Sprouters vs the Doubters, the Juicers vs the Chewers, the Supplementers vs Puritan Hygienists, the Colon Flushers vs the Constipators.
You name it, there’s protest and dichotomy riddled throughout what we know as The Raw Food Movement.
And frankly, I think we should do something about it.
For heaven’s sake, we’re all raw foodists—we’re a global community of people inspired about health and passionately living as fully as we can. I think the impact we can have on this planet will be greater if we stand united rather than try and throw criticism and polarity into the soup.
How do we do this?
Well, if raw food leaders would start to speak from their personal experience rather than claiming to have “the right way,” I think we’d be off to a very good start. Let’s face it, much of what we’re doing in this raw food movement still qualifies as a grand human experiment. As far as I can see, there is no “right way,” there is only “YOUR right way” and if there was a single “right way”, we wouldn’t have nearly this much argument and dissention within the raw food movement, would we?
I’ve seen raw food “experts” try to apply the raw food diet for more than 10 years, only to pack it in and decide that it wasn’t working for them! I’ve received phone calls from people who had tried EVERYTHING (High fat, low fat, sprouts, juice, and dehydrated goods) just to end up extremely ill and finding comfort only in cooked root vegetables and a small amount of meat.
Who am I to judge?
Who are any of us to judge what is “right” for someone else?
Frankly, as soon as any person claims they know “THE truth” I just want to run in the opposite direction. There are no absolutes, as far as I’m concerned, and when it comes to “truth” well, what’s true is what’s true for YOU!
It would be very easy, for example, to say that just because Dr Norman Walker lived to the ripe old age of 100 and something, and HE didn’t eat too much fruit, and flushed his colon then we should all reduce our fruit consumption and flush our colons.
But that just doesn’t make ANY sense. There are little old ladies in Japan who have been eating sushi their whole lives and digging potatoes out of their back garden living to the ripe of age of 100 and something, too! So should we all start eating sushi and picking potatoes?
No way!
How can you possibly begin to eliminate the infinite number of variables that play into each person’s unique constitution, environment and history? You can’t! There’s no way to rationally ignore all the other factors in the equation in order to make any of these broad, sweeping statements about the “rightness” of anyone’s diet or lifestyle.
I’ve seen too many people spontaneously healed from a lifetime of illness through spiritual awakenings and self-discovery to fall for the idea that “we are what we eat.” They didn’t change anything about their food, but rather came to understand something profound about themselves, their history, and their very being that caused an extraordinary shift in their lives and their health. Wheatgrass and bananas had nothing to do with it.
I’d like to believe that we can create a space where people feel safe to do what works for them and that we can honor the “rightness” of each person’s self-determinism. Let’s put all the options on the table, but let’s do it in the spirit of learning from each other and supporting each other to better understand health as a composite of a wide range of factors, including tolerance and compassion for others.
There is so much more to be gained by realizing that we’re all here doing our best to learn as we go and make the world a saner place in the process. With all these debates and dissension in the raw food movement, we become obsessed with FOOD, and forget how important our mental and emotional state is to the digestion of whatever we eat. We create competition amongst ourselves as people passionate about health, rather than a spirit of tolerance and a desire to understand each other and ourselves better.
I will continue to invite experts who practice many different variations of the raw diet, and I will even invite incredible people that live empowered lives who could care less about raw food!
What are your goals in this adventure of LIFE?
To attach a label to your forehead, or to better understand your body and yourself?
Leaders of the Raw Food Movement Unite! We’re stronger together than we are divided, and as soon as one of us starts invalidating the success or personal choices of the other, we’re all sunk! Let’s admit and understand that there is much to be learned in the process of what we’re doing, and what works for one may not work for the other.
Raw food enthusiasts and seekers of health and high-energy living: Don’t let anyone invalidate what’s real for you! Observe what happens in your body and keep things simple. You KNOW what works for you and no enzymatic fermentation theories need distract you from what you OBSERVE to be true about your body and its reactions to the choices you make.
We are all engaged in the process of learning more about ourselves and of Life itself. We do this best with a genuine desire to learn from each others’ experiences. We stand in integrity when we speak of our experiences and observations, rather than adopting unrealistic ultimatums, absolutes and ideologies about food.
Thank you to each of you who bravely blaze a trail of tolerance, of community, and of mutual support as we evolve together towards a greater understanding of each other and ourselves. We have much still to learn, let’s band together for the good of us all.
Related posts:
- Let Me Tell You What I Think About The Raw Food Movement This week’s article received a lot of feedback from clients. Most of it tremendously encouraging...
Tags: raw food movement, Tera Warner, the raw divas
Posted in Raw Food Health | 40 Comments »
By doll on Nov 23, 2010
I love this artical. Thanks for continuing to say what’s on your heart and for standing in integrity. Love you! Doll
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By denise on Nov 23, 2010
Thanks for articulating my musings…
YES!!!
how to share this in a most positive, enlivening way!!!
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By Jane on Nov 24, 2010
Thanks for this well written and much needed article. The lack of consensus in the raw food movement is both confusing and potentially alarming to those new to this way of life, and even to those within it. The reality is that there is no “one size fits all” solution to diet, and we must honour what works for us as individuals.
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By Pamela on Nov 24, 2010
Well said.
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By Muneeza on Nov 24, 2010
Brilliantly said. I agree wholeheartedly. I am a Holistic health coach and one of the things I share with my clients is their bio-individuality (term coined by Joshua Rosenthal, who founded the Institute for Integrative Nutrition)…it is exactly ALL about that. Tera when you mention folks who are living empowered healthy lives who couldn’t care less for raw foods – I know SO many! It really is about what works for each of us. The one thing I share with everyone is that WHATEVER you eat, keep it clean (i.e. get the best quality of that food that you are indulging in) and keep it balanced on your plate (eating only one type of food or one food group didn’t serve anyone!).
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By PATRICIA JOHNSON on Nov 25, 2010
AS I READ THIS ARTICLE I WAS CHEERING DEEP DOWN IN MY SOUL !! YOU ARTICULATED SO ELOQUENTLY HOW I HAVE BEEN FEELING; AND YOU EXPRESSED IT IN A LOVING, BALANCED, RATIONAL WAY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE COURAGE TO SPEAK THIS OUT IN A PUBLIC FORUM. AS A NEWBIE (1YEAR) TO THIS RAW LIFESTYLE, I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT EVERY LEADER IN THIS RAW COMMUNITY WILL ADOPT YOUR APPROACH. MAYBE THEN WE WON’T HAVE SO MANY “CASUALTIES” OF CONFUSION AND FAILURE. THANK YOU FOR MAKING SO MUCH SENSE !!
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By Tera on Nov 25, 2010
Thanks so much for your kind words, Patricia, Pamela, Jane, Denise and Doll! Really appreciate you taking the time to comment and having you share your voice here!
Big hugs,
Tera
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By Marisa on Nov 25, 2010
Tera, I love this article. It says everything that I’ve been feeling and thinking over the past few years. I wish that all raw food leaders would embrace the knowledge that we are all unique human beings with different circumstances and that if we worked together, I’m sure so many more people would benefit. That is why I love you and all the raw diva sisters so much!!
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Reply by Tera on November 26th, 2010
awwww…
And WE LOVE YOU, Marisa!!
*smooch*
Thanks for the support and kind words.
xo
Tera
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By Claire - The Raw Bombshell on Nov 25, 2010
I really love the passion that you write with. It is a much needed article as I have battled with where I stand in the face of so much opinion with raw food.
I made the decision to just love my body and develop a love affair with my food so I can nourish myself on all levels: mind, body and spirit.
It works for me.
Thank you for posting the above.
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Reply by Tera on November 26th, 2010
Thanks, Claire. Really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and wisdom!
Passion without prejudice.
That’s what we all need.
HUGS!
xo
Tera
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By Pete Vincent on Nov 25, 2010
Hear hear! Great article! Unfortunately, I fear you have underestimated the huge “EGO” factor of some raw food Gurus and have omitted the reason some raw gurus are into this raw food thing. Its a small emerging world and they are the emerging all knowing heroes with a following of admiring raw food guru loving newbies. Them admit that their way isn’t right? You have to be kidding! Admit that people dont need to buy all their “superfoods” and products? Don’t get too hopeful.
Some of the most closed defensive minds I have seen are of people who momentarily open their minds to raw food, then become blinkered in one particular approach. I have seen the goal of being 100% raw and staying raw become destructive and bad for health. What a shame. Like you say when done correctly it can be so potentially healing…but you have to have a happy centred mind for true health.
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Reply by Tera on November 26th, 2010
Clever dood like you’s gotta keep us all smiling.
Keep the spirit of play alive and well, Pete. They’ll figure it out and stop taking themselves so darn “seriously”.
Hugs and thanks for the great things you do out there for us all!
xoxo
Tera
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Reply by debbie on November 27th, 2010
Pete, you could eat cactus and chicken livers raw and I would always love you and your crazy sense of humor!
Long Live Raw Humor!
deb xoxo
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By debbie on Nov 25, 2010
Hey Tara
I understand your frustration and it has been pretty crazy this last year or so in the raw community.
I just eat what is right for me and share what I have learned. Everyone is on their own path and they need to find what is right for them.
No one size fits all in food or clothing
xo
deb
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Reply by Tera on November 26th, 2010
Oh heavens! If anyone understands, you do, Deb. You’re a shero blazing a trail of personal integrity like few people I have ever seen.
Your courage and conviction is an inspiration to us all.
Love you and what you do!!
Tera
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Reply by debbie on November 27th, 2010
oh Tera!
Thanks for the Shero nomination! You made my heart warm with gratitude and that’s the Raw Truth!
Love you
deb
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Reply by Tera on November 28th, 2010
Awww…
Hugs and adoration, Dear One! Love to you!!!
By Janice Marie Foote on Nov 26, 2010
I’m not totally raw, but since finding/following Roger Bezanis I’ve cut back on processed foods. Steam what I don’t want to eat raw. Cook only minimal what I don’t want to eat raw like beans/lentils and rice. Use minimal spicing just enough to flavor it. Most importantly most of all my food shopping consists of whole foods that will be eaten raw or steamed/cooked/possibly spiced minimally. I love this diet I’m on and only see it getting better. Roger has a lot of knowledge on how different raw food benefits which helps quite a bit.
p.s. I’m now following your twitter
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By April Panknin on Dec 31, 2010
I appreciate your article! It is something that all people that make life changes and see drastic results need to learn (sometimes the hard way unfortunately). It worked for them and we want to tell the world and sometimes we come on to strong until we realize that everything is a process of self discovery for each individual. We can be guided, but must walk the path on our own terms.
I’m curious Tera, how long did it take you after discovering the world of raw foods to realize that it wasn’t for everyone?
Blessings to all!
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By GrowingRaw on Jan 26, 2011
At the moment I’m adjusting to the idea that my aim of being 100% raw isn’t going to be sustainable. I’m actually quite happy when I’m eating high raw, but after Christmas I decided to try 100% again.
Last time I ate 100% raw (which was when I first started, I just leapt right into it) I had such a huge advance in my energy levels and wellbeing that I wanted to attain that again. Well, because I’ve been eating high raw, switching to 100% hasn’t made that much difference this time, so I’m not as motivated.
Actually, after about a week of 100% raw I didn’t feel that great (and I don’t believe it was detox – I haven’t eaten much that would need detoxing.) So this time eating 100% raw actually weakened me. When I switched back to high raw (actually a bit higher than what I had been doing, maybe about 90% now) I felt much better again.
I guess I’m disappointed that eating 100% raw didn’t give me the rush that it did last time – but that’s silly thinking because the reason it didn’t was because I was already feeling pretty great! So now my mind is adjusting to the idea that I will have 100% raw phases (that will probably be quite short, only a few weeks) and then swing back to my natural balance, which seems to be high raw.
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By McKenna on Feb 11, 2011
Hey Tera,
Loved this article, it was exactly what I needed to read. There’s so many conflicting ‘facts’ out there that it’s all too easy to become entirely overwhelmed. It’s pretty tragic that in our hunger for knowledge we can wind up so misled by nay-sayers and truth-claimers. In my case, I have on occasion actually felt *bad* about eating fruit because some of the articles I’ve read!
This article of yours has helped to remind me that there’s no reason to change my diet to fit someone else’s idea of what works. I *love* fruit and I don’t believe that I would love fruit if it wasn’t healthy for me personally. Perhaps for other people it really is detrimental, I don’t know one way or the other.
But what I do know is what works for *me* and when it comes down to it, that is really the most important thing.
Thanks Tera, you rock lovely girl!
<3
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By Geo YoYo on Mar 9, 2011
Hi Tera,
Having been a yoyo dieter all my adult life and followed oh so many different diets, I also appreciated your article and others’ comments. Back in the 60’s when vegetarians looked weedy and high protein quick weight loss diets were all the rage, it was considered a sin against society to give up eating, drinking, smoking and merry-making to eat rabbit food. No wonder most of my peers are now under doctor’s orders for one or many ailments. Anyway, suffice it to say, many of us baby-boomers are now making complete turn-a-rounds to encompass a healthier lifestyle. I still gulp heavily at prices we have to pay for organic veggies, when ALL vegetables in the shops and supermarkets should be organic and fit for human consumption!
I add my applause to you and the likes of Victoria Boutenko who use encouragement in helping us with our individual quests for a healthier lifestyle.
Geo YoYo
(Another wannabe greenie)
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By Ryan Reger on Mar 16, 2011
Love, Love, Love this article. I am doing the raw diet with my father and I have been trying to tell him to stop imposing the idea on his wife. Especially since she just doesn’t get it. I am sending this article to him. Perfect! Thank you.
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By Winnie on May 24, 2011
I found it refreshing.
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Reply by Danielle on May 25th, 2011
Thanks for your feedback Winnie. Glad you got something out of it.
Danielle Greason
The Raw Divas
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By alison on Jun 12, 2011
what a relief to read this! during the 21 green smoothie thing I am on at the moment I had this idea one day that it may just not matter WHAT we eat – but the HOW might have a big effect -it all seemed very clear somehow (though heretical!) I rambled on a bit in my daily ‘how are you doing reply form’ about raw food perhaps carrying the consciousness that I couldn’t quite manage to have myself etc etc.
Later I panicked a bit wondering if I wasn’t being quite in the spirit of it all – got it a bit wrong- but lovely Tera – well she’s just lovely isn’t she? she gets it! so thanks Tera you darling person -I love all you write – your jolly fun and your cracking wisdom- and for making us all feel included – whatever barmy ideas we may come up with! massive hugs! Alison xxxxx
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By susan on Jun 30, 2011
I have been mostly raw for 4 weeks and love it – I try to be 100% most days but with traveling right now, it is difficult. I have lost 14 pounds and dropped a size in my jean shorts – yay!! Keep up the good work of spreading the word on raw eating and keep the encouragement coming!
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Reply by Danielle on June 30th, 2011
Congratulations on your success Susan! What were your top motivations for transitioning 4 weeks ago? I am soooo curious.
Danielle Greason,
The Raw Divas
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By Kathryn on Aug 13, 2011
Tera,
This was so well written. Thank you for sharing it with us all. The same thought process could be applied to many other aspects of life – religion, politics, etc. Your thoughts are an expression of inclusiveness and love, versus exclusivity, hatred, and/or indifference. They are also constructive compared to the destructive dialogue to which you refer. Thank you for shining a light on the subject in a way that brings healing through Truth.
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By Tuula on Sep 30, 2011
I so agree what you are saying in the article. Because there are so many people just learning about healthy eating and if faced with so many problems and contradicting truths it just puts people off from it all.
I for example am quite new to searching about healthy eating, vegan, raw and alkaline eating. And I have found so many wonderful websites and blogs full of tasty and nutritious recipes. I want to take lots of them on board in my eating, but I am not going to be a full blown raw foodist or vegan. I just want to take bits and pieces of good nutritious foods into my diet and try to change it carefully towards healthier and more natural state.
You can add raw food into your diet without giving up everything else. I am sure that is the way to go for many. Raw food enthusiasts would do a great job encouraging people to try some new foods without telling them it is the only way to eat.
Great blog you have, thank you for all your info and recipes!
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By Camila on Oct 2, 2011
Tera, you are the bomb!
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By MaddyG on Oct 20, 2011
Beautifully said, and thank you for saying it. I’m so over “experts” pushing their way as the only way, or claiming to be an “expert” on something that is a very new path, even if someone has been doing it for decades. That’s still new in the grand scheme of things, and the variables involved in creating radiant health are too many to list. So grateful that you put this out there, I want to see more support and encouragement, less judgment and hubris.
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By LynnCS on Oct 24, 2011
That’s all very good but where do you stand? I get much more from comparing the absolutists with each others’ progress and trying what they do than I do from someone sitting on a fence and telling me to make nice about it all. Don’t get me wrong, I like nice. I just want to hear how the writer does it, so I have something to try. I personally think that people (including me) give up too soon. What interests me is that I have found that I don’t have to eat a vile product like dead animal flesh to get what I need. When I could see that everything, yes! everything is available without eating flesh, I went for it. Now I even can see that most cooking is not good for the food to be it’s best for my health. I do sprout some grains and am trying different things to do to include the broadest use of plant based ingredients. I do like best the juicing and salads. Salads can be a big catagory. I see that Dr. Essylstine says no added oils. I am willing. I poured soap in the OO bottle to discourage going back to it and now it is down the drain. I am not perfect and not trying to be. Just want a quality life and if eating a healthy plant based diet helps then I want it. So re write this thing and tell us who YOU are. Lovingly, Lynn
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By Victoria on Nov 6, 2011
I just discovered raw food recently and was all excited to see a huge community out there, I did not realize there is a lot of politics there.
How dissappointing, as I LOVE raw food. All of it.
Well, I will just have to listen to my body I suppose.
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By Laurel Marr on Nov 10, 2011
Great timing for me to find this, the second time around…I have been thinking of a new theme for my raw food blogging. The web is saturated with sites that offer free get started guides, beautiful pictures and recipes, menu plans and journal ideas, and of course, all of the controversial ways to “do raw right”. What can I offer that will catch someone’s eye and hopefully give some clarity on our individual raw food journeys? How about my struggle to find my own right place in raw food amidst the conflicting views of raw food “experts”. I have ridden up and down on the raw food roller coaster and tried another philosophy at each turn. Amazingly, i have stayed raw, but not without my own fair share of unconfident days. Some of the beliefs on a raw food diet bring the dieting mentality with it. When I first turned to raw food, I was able to walk away from 17 years of eating disorders. After years of experimenting, believing and discovery, I can easily see that there are ways that raw food can be a trap versus freedom from dieting and eating disorders. But, it can and should be freedom. Raw food your way will lead you to self discovery and healing as it is originally intended to do.
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By Nicole on Dec 30, 2011
Bravo! Love this article*
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By JB on Jan 2, 2012
TOUCHE!!
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By Julie on Jan 23, 2012
Yeah, yeah, applause, applause!!
Well said Tera.
I’m just nearing the end of your 21 day detox and I’ve learnt a lot. I wanted to become totally raw. But now I realise its not about “being” anything, apart from yourself. Doing and eating what feels right, for you.
So if its the middle of winter and I don’t feel like a salad, I’ll have a nice vegetable stew and enjoy it! After the detox finnishes of course!!
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By Johanna Sophia on Jan 31, 2012
TERA, I applaud yo for this article!!!
I have been and still am arguing the exact same philosophy: let’s join hands where we are walking in the dame direction of taking responsibility for our individual health and well-being and that of our planet (and everything in-between like family and community, country and politics, etc)!
I would love to join forces – thinking and working much on new forms of education toward co-responsibility and self-directedness of our future generations…
If you read this, please feel free to contact me. Presently I am only 3 hours away from you in Saratoga Springs, NY.
I love what you are doing with Sergei Boutenko – have been making dandelion pesto for years and my most famous crackers are “Cranny-Lion-Crackers” with cranberries and dandelion…
More power to all of us!!!!
Love & Laughter
Johanna
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