Does anybody follow or have opinions about a raw food diet?

I'm doing some research on the subject and would love to have input. Recipes, experiences, rants... whatever!Does anybody follow or have opinions about a raw food diet?
I'm not personally a raw foodist, but as a new vegetarian, it has me intrigued as well. A while back, I stumbled upon a great website whose author is a devout raw foodist. Apparently, she has a huge following and many hits on her website from other raw foodists seeking advice, support, and recipes. You should check out her story and the educational info on following a raw food diet. I don't have any interest in eating raw food ONLY at this time in my life, but I enjoyed learning the many benefits to eating food in the raw (living food- as they call it).



http://www.rawreform.com/index.phpDoes anybody follow or have opinions about a raw food diet?
Like any diet, a raw food diet should be right for health conscious, younger people. I question if the diet would be appropriate for older, health conscious people because there is typically a weakening of the gastric lining with the aging process. So, sometimes a great idea such as a raw food exclusive diet, in theory, fails in the face of real people who are intolerant to some foods, such as raw foods. That is my opinion. Put me down as 50-50 on the raw food diet. No rant, here.Does anybody follow or have opinions about a raw food diet?
I am 70 % raw, like 5 days of the week, mostly uncooked things, salads, fruits, veggies, nuts, ect... :D

I would love to become a 95% or 90% raw foodist in the future, go to alissacohen.com, boutenkofamily.com, and go to youtube and go to raw food recipes and ani phyo and her spanish scrammble is delicious, I've made it, YUM ! great info :DDoes anybody follow or have opinions about a raw food diet?
I've been raw for about three and a half years, and the health benefits are just too many to mention! I never thought I would ever have the energy (or the inclination) to run ten miles, but now I do it every single morning! My migraines and allergies departed within the first year.



The best cookbooks to start with are Jennifer Cornbleet's "Raw Food Made Easy" and "The Complete Book of Raw Food" by Lori Baird and Julie Rodwell. The recipes are simple, don't require unusual ingredients, and most don't use special equipment. (Like a juicer with a blank plate, a dehydrator, or a spiral slicer)



Most of my meals aren't complicated- I had a Lara Bar and a coconut water for breakfast, lunch was baby carrots and cashew ranch dressing. (soaked cashews, onion, garlic, dill, salt %26amp; water in the blender) Dinner will be guacamole and salsa on flax seed tostadas. (soaked flax seeds, garlic, ginger %26amp; shoyu spread in circles on teflex sheets and dehydrated) and if I have dessert it will probably be a chocolate "milkshake"- fresh almond milk, frozen bananas, agave and cocoa powder.



Good websites:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/

http://www.rawfoodlife.com/

http://eat.rawfood.com/

http://www.living-foods.com/
Raw food is great-it has all of the enzymes needed to digest itself, so it is very easy on the digestive track. I went 100 percent raw years ago, but decided that was just too confining for me. Now, I follow about an 80/20 plan, where about 80 percent of my food is raw, and the rest is lightly cooked or steamed. I love hot soups, and baked breads (I make them gluten free with flour I grind myself). It doesn't have to be an all or nothing plan, just eat some raw, and continue to enjoy some cooked. Works well for me.