Ross - Healing with raw foods: your guide to unlocking vibrant health through living cuisine

ALSO BY JENNY ROSS

THE ART OF RAW LIVING FOOD: Heal Yourself and the
Planet with Eco-delicious Cuisine (with Doreen Virtue)

RAW BASICS: Incorporating Raw Living Foods into
Your Diet Using Easy and Delicious Recipes

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Copyright 2014 by Jenny Ross

Published and distributed in the United States by: Hay House, Inc.: www.hayhouse.com Published and distributed in Australia by: Hay House Australia Pty. Ltd.: www.hayhouse.com.au Published and distributed in the United Kingdom by: Hay House UK, Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.uk Published and distributed in the Republic of South Africa by: Hay House SA (Pty), Ltd.: www.hayhouse.co.za Distributed in Canada by: Raincoast Books: www.raincoast.com Published in India by: Hay House Publishers India: www.hayhouse.co.in

Cover design: Stonesong Creative Interior design: Tricia Breidenthal
Interior photos: Fringe Photography

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private useother than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviewswithout prior written permission of the publisher.

The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file with the Library of Congress

Tradepaper ISBN: 978-1-4019-4038-6

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1st edition, January 2015

Printed in the United States of America

To my children, Dylan James and Alysa Grace,
whose world will be improved as living
plant-based foods begin to heal those
committed to a different reality for
their health. My hope is that you both will
continue to embrace these possibilities for
your own vibrant health and will pass
on these ideas to your childrens children.

In loving memory of my grandparents,
Charles Ross, Sr., John Peacock, and
Gerry Peacock, who taught me the kind of
life lessons that have helped me remain
open to new possibilities. I am grateful
for your lasting imprint on my life.

To my family for your continued support of
this mission to help others find healing, even
when it means long days at the restaurants!
Your grace in my life is immeasurable.

Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease.

HIPPOCRATES

Imagine if you could invigorate your life just by changing what you eat! Would you alter your diet for a chance at sustained health and optimal longevity? How far would you go to attain your best body, best looks, clearest mind, and highest energy?

When I began my personal journey with raw foods a decade ago, my very health and well-being were at stake. For years I had suffered indigestion and low-level abdominal pain brought on by GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), and an ulcer. One health problem is challenging enough, but when you face a series of issues, all diagnosed in your late teens, just getting through the day can be overwhelming. I was very depressed because of the constant pain. Something inside me screamed, There must be a healthier, happier way to live, free from the disease plaguing my body! I was looking for healing.

From that moment on I was committed to finding a new truth. I would do whatever necessary to accomplish that mission. Not surprisingly, allopathic or traditional medicine didnt lead me to the healing I was seeking. I came to recognize long after my health problems had been diagnosed that modern medicine isnt designed to address the body holistically, but rather treat symptoms as they occur. Even though what you eat is recognized as preventive in some cases, diet is rarely a sole treatment focus. That limitation, at least at the time, left me searchingand gratefully sofor alternatives. With my determination came the realization that my choice of food could not only heal my digestive tract but also support my entire body in optimal daily health.

Today, Im proof that you can achieve just that by simply looking to the end of your fork. My personal path to healing led me into a lifestyle centering on the nonprocessed plant sources of a raw-foods diet. This nutrient-rich, high-energy approach to eating has yielded exponential results across my entire life. Ive been living vibrantly for more than a decade, with a burgeoning raw-foods business, two healthy young children, and a supportive, loving husband. Together with our extended community of fellow food travelers, weve altered what and how we eat for the better. What do I mean by that? Weve adopted a style of eatinggourmet living cuisinethat incorporates plant-based whole foods served either raw or prepared at 118F or lower. Why that temperature? It is the threshold that lets us steer clear of any harmful substances created by high-temperature cooking while keeping enzyme and nutrient values intact.

By focusing on high-quality fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains in their most natural state, Ive experienced absolute freedom from my symptomsthe opposite of what you might expect from a seemingly limited diet. I healed my body from the inside out! Learning new ingredients and food preparation techniques while exploring the benefits of this lifestyle became a full-time adventure. I enjoyed my first mango ate my first raw chocolate bar and finished my first meal in five years pain-free! In time, I realized just how restrictive my life had been before these discoveries. Imagine my joy in learning something new that made me feel fantastic from head to toe!

I firmly believe that you, too, can reverse or prevent conditions that might rob you of your vitality and deprive you of your best chance to experience overall good health. The menu choices in Healing with Raw Foods are anti-inflammatory and alkaline, two terms that youll become familiar with as you discover foods that can have a positive effect on your body, your mind, and even your spirit. Im confident that the choices in this diet can help you realize your inner potential for living well, living holistically, and living fully to share your unique gifts with others.

Next in a Series

Healing with Raw Foods is the third cookbook in a series of books Ive written to help you get the most from this exciting new cuisine. The Art of Raw Living, my first book, offered dietary fundamentals and easy recipes, along with simple steps for transitioning from a standard American diet (SAD) to living-foods fare. Raw Basics, my second book, merged favorite recipes from my California restaurants, 118 Degrees, with advice on successfully incorporating this diet into your lifestyle.

Although those books are great resources, you dont have to read them to enjoy or learn from this one. Everything you need to know about the foundational foods and dietary practices necessary to catapult your health to the next level, your highest truth, is contained in these pages. Think of this book as an important guide in your journey to wellness. Each chapter has been developed with one goal in mind: to help you understand how a living-foods diet can bolster your well-being and longevityone body system at a time. Each chapter reinforces the concept that healing and vitality emanate from a body thats not only in