Table of Contents
Dedicated to BJA.
Introduction
You may have heard a lot about the benefits of eating raw foods in generaland the idea of following a raw food detoxification program specificallybut are hesitant to jump in head first without a bit more information. Well, youve definitely come to the right place to learn how raw food detox can dramatically alter the direction of your health and life.
From losing weight to waking up with clearer skin, raw food detox has the capability to enhance your body while eliminating dangerous toxins that we are subjected to in our food, homes, and just about everywhere.
Learning the basics is important, and thats where well start. Youll determine your recommended level of raw food intensity as you begin and learn to prepare a multitude of delicious and easy-to-make recipes. Youll also find out about foods that are vital for healing as well as activities you can do to help the detox process along.
How This Book Is Organized
There are five parts to this book:
Part 1, The Raw Essentials, provides you with the basics on raw food detox and why it works to create vitality and health, as well as an overview of the type of toxins we encounter every day and how we can help our bodies through the detoxification process.
Part 2, Getting Started, will help you determine which programA, B, C, or Dis best for you and what each 15-day menu looks like, as well as make recommendations on preparing your kitchen and your life for the detox adventure.
Part 3, Recipes for Success, consists of all the recipes you will need, from snacks to soups to juices, to successfully embark on the raw food detox program.
Part 4, Let Raw Food Be Thy Medicine, discusses the potent nutrition available to your body when you follow the raw food detox plan and explains a number of unusual healing and superfoods that can help you on your way.
Part 5, The Newly Detoxed You, will provide you with tips on how to maintain your success and apply detoxification to your home and environment to promote a healthy atmosphere.
Helpful Notes
Youll come across many helpful notes throughout the book that will provide you with some additional information. Watch for these:
DEFINITIONS
Here, youll find explanations of raw food terminology and some other health-related jargon.
RAWESOME TIPS
These will provide you with advice and hints on a variety of raw food detox topics.
DETOXERS ALERT
Be sure to check out these specific health warnings and alerts.
FRESH FACTS
These contain a wealth of interesting facts, figures, and amusing trivia for your reading pleasure.
Acknowledgments
Family and friends are at the heart of all great endeavors and this project is no exception. I am blessed to have the support of my parents and two brothers throughout my lifetime of projects and adventures. A heart-to-heart hug and thank you goes out to one of my biggest supporters and motivators, Leah Hudson.
Much of my inspiration came from my local raw food community at Friday Soup Nights and JaxRaw potlucks. I thank all of you for your tasty creativity and support. The opportunity to share the message of raw food detox came as a result of a number of synchronicities. It all started with a friend request on Facebook by Kelly Jadon, which led to a connection with chef and author Mark Reinfeld, and eventually publishing agent Marilyn Allen.
Thanks spread out from those beginnings like a pebble in a pond to writer and chef Elizabeth Scott and editor Tom Stevens. A final thank you goes out to the everexpanding raw foodconscious individuals and groups around the world who are my mentors and peers that keep expanding and sharing the message of a healthy and sustainable way of life. We are blessed. Keep it Live!
Special Thanks to the Technical Reviewer
The Complete Idiots Guide to Raw Food Detox was reviewed by an expert who doublechecked the accuracy of what youll learn here, to help us ensure that this book gives you everything you need to know about raw food detox. Special thanks are extended to Rhonda Lerner.
Trademarks
All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be or are suspected of being trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Alpha Books and Penguin Group (USA) Inc. cannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Part 1
The Raw Essentials
Before embarking on any type of program, its essential to understand the ins and outs of what youll be doingand in this part, youll do just that. From learning why detoxification is necessary to understanding the process, youll be well equipped with information. Well start with a brief discussion of the raw food program and explain how body detoxification works. Well follow up with a good understanding of the plethora of toxins in our world and how they may affect your health. After a detailed discussion of how this raw food detoxification will make you the best and healthiest you can be, youll find out about reinforcements you can call inin the form of exercise and other practices that will serve to make your detoxification even more successful and enjoyable.
Chapter 1
The Ins and Outs of Raw Food Detox
In This Chapter
What raw food is all about
Why we need detoxifying
How raw food detox works
Welcome to the beginning of a happier and healthier you! Getting to know the basic concepts behind the raw food detox program you are about to embark upon is your first step toward vibrancy, increased energy, and a stable and healthy weight. Get ready to explore the exciting idea of raw food detoxification.
Why detox at all? And why raw food, you may ask? What exactly is meant by raw food, anyway? This chapter will shed a bright light on the subject so you can better understand why a raw food detox is the way to go.
Youll also learn about the process of detoxification that regularly occurs in your body and how some added assistance can make a world of difference in successfully ridding your body of unwanted toxins that could promote disease and early aging. Aiding your bodys normal detox process will keep you as toxin-free as possible and as happy and healthy as you should be.
Raw Food Defined
Raw food and the raw food diet have been gaining press, popularity, and momentum in recent years. Many practitioners, along with some competitive athletes and Hollywood elite, swear by its healing properties. In reality, everyone has eaten at least a partial raw food diet whether they know it or notits nothing sensational or new.