With the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables of spring-time available to us, I thought I'd share the following information…keeping in mind the farmers markets…

What are Living and Raw Foods?  Living and Raw foods are uncooked vegetables, fruits, soaked and sprouted nuts, seeds, and grains that contain powerful enzymes. Living & raw foods have a much higher nutritional value than 'cooked' foods. When you heat foods to a temperature above 105 degrees you destroy the vital nutrients and enzymes while creating toxins. Heat changes the chemical make up of the food which creates substances that the body can no longer recognize. This causes unwanted damage within our bodies. Without the vital nutrients and enzymes we loose the 'life force' of the food and we get sick with illness & disease. This is why America is overcome with obesity and disease!

What are Enzymes?  Enzymes are the life force in food. They are the catalysts that enable vitamins and minerals to be utilized in the body and assist in digestion and absorption of food. Without enzymes, you body becomes toxic which can lead to disease, major digestion problems, and overweight or obesity. The United States leads the world in obesity and disease.

Why eat living and raw foods?  The reasons are endless .... Enzyme rich food boosts the immune system to keep you vibrantly healthy and repairs damage done to a sick or diseased body. Weight loss becomes effortless. You have energy like that of an eagle because your body isn't spending several hours a day digesting enzyme-less food. You know the feeling of being sleepy after a large 'cooked' meal. You physically feel and look younger when you eat enzyme rich raw foods. Raw food has been shown to reverse disease and degeneration.

What are the benefits of eating a Raw and Living Foods Diet?  The benefits are too abundant to list here, but MANY people have healed themselves of cancers, diabetes, colitis, digestion problems, HIV, obesity, CFS, Asthma, ADD, ADHD anxiety, depression, allergies, migraines, back pain, heartburn, diverticulitis, and many more .... You not only feel and look younger, you sleep less, your skin changes texture and color, weight loss is easy, your hair changes and some of the gray may disappear, wrinkles become less noticeable, your skin will glow and your eyes will sparkle! This does not happen overnight, but, you will see and feel results in as little as a few days.

Medical research in the benefits of RAW! Michael Donaldson, Ph.D., a nutritional biologist at Cornell University says, "We are looking at the links between raw foods and [preventing] cancer and degenerative diseases. These studies have opened my eyes, because as scientists we are always trying to make the next pharmaceutical breakthrough."

In one study, Donaldson evaluated the seven-day intake of 180 people eating 60 to 80 percent raw foods to determine the average ingestion of vitamins, minerals, protein, and calories.

He discovered that vitamin and mineral intake was excellent; the ratio of protein to calcium was right where it should be; sodium levels were low while potassium levels were high; fat ratios were good, with 20 to 25 percent fat, coming mostly from flaxseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados.

"Generally the raw food diet works because it is a synergy," says Donaldson. "Vitamins, enzymes, a healthy bowel, balanced emotions, positive outlook-all of these components come together in a living way. People overcome arthritis, allergies, cancer, you name it. I am still amazed by the testimonials."

************************************************************************

Would you like to have more energy and vitality? Does shoulder stiffness, low back pain or arthritis cramp your style? Would you like to have less stress in your life? If your answer to any or all of these questions is a resounding ?YES?, then you should have a massage.

Experts believe that stress accounts for 80-90% of all disease. Even when it is not the direct cause, it aggravates health challenges, making it harder to heal and maintain well-being. Receiving massage on a regular basis reduces stress and pain, and helps the body function in a more harmonious manner.

Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. Hippocrates recommended rubbing and friction to ease circulatory and joint problems. There is also documentation of massage among the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Persians and Hindus.

So…Isn't it about time to schedule your next massage treatment? Simply, for better health? And perhaps consider "treating" someone you love to the "gift" of massage with a well-deserved GIFT CERTIFICATE…

Don't forget to drink plenty of water AND take a DEEP BREATH every now and again. 

Wishing you a spring-time full of blessings…to your health, Dawna