Top 10 Cleansing Foods

Here is a list of the top 10 cleansing raw foods according to health expert Jordan Rubin and author of The Raw Truth:

1. Avocados are high in fiber, potassium, vitamin E and healthy monounsaturated fats, and they are a must-eat in any eating plan.
   
2. Raw coconut cream is loaded with medium-chain fatty acids that help promote a positive intestinal environment and compounds that help remove toxins from the body.
   
3. Flaxseeds and chia seeds are wonderful sources of fiber, essential fatty acids and powerful phytochemicals, which lubricate the bowel and promote healthy cellular structure.
   
4. Raw cultured veggies such as sauerkraut have billions of live probiotics and active sulfur compounds, which provide detoxification to the liver and GI tract.
   
5. Fresh vegetable juice made from carrots, celery, parsley, cilantro, cucumber, beets and dozens of other veggies is a key component of any raw cleansing regimen, providing vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants the body needs to gently remove toxins.
   
6. Blueberries are low in sugar and high in fiber. Their powerful antioxidants make blueberries a true “superfood.”
   
7. Cucumbers are high in fiber and minerals and have excellent hydrating ability.
   
8. Tomatoes are a gentle form of fiber and are high in vitamin C and the antioxidant lycopene.
   
9. Raw milk kefir and yogurt have billions of friendly microbes and support healthy digestion.
   
10. Coconut kefir is loaded with probiotics, enzymes, organic acids and electrolytes such as potassium, which promote cellular cleansing and healthy elimination.

Health Benefits of Raw Cocoa

High in Antioxidants
Cocoa contains flavanols, a type of flavanoid that is only found in cocoa and chocolate. Flavanoids are naturally-occurring compounds that occur in plant foods that act as antioxidants and help counteract free radicals in the body.

Blood Pressure Benefits
Dark chocolate has been shown in studies to lower blood pressure in people with elevated blood pressure.

Lower LDL Cholesterol
Eating dark chocolate on a regular basis has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as 10 percent.

Natural Anti-Depressant
Chocolate contains serotonin, a natural anti-depressant. Chocolate also stimulates endorphin production, which creates feelings of happiness and pleasure. In fact, one study found that melting chocolate in the mouth produced feelings of pleasure longer than passionate kissing. This may explain why many people naturally reach for chocolate when they're depressed.

Cancer Fighter
Several studies have found chocolate to be one of the best cancer-fighting foods along with foods like red wine, blueberries, garlic, and tea. Two ways that chocolate works as a cancer fighter is by inhibiting cell division and reducing inflammation, though research is ongoing and will probably find additional ways in which chocolate fights cancer.

Prevents Tooth Decay
Research has found that the theobromine in chocolate prevents tooth decay by eliminating streptococcus mutans, a bacteria found in the oral cavity that contributes to tooth decay.

Longer Life and Less Disease
One Dutch study followed 200 men over 20 years and found that those who consumed large amounts of chocolate, both milk chocolate and dark, lived longer and had lower overall disease rates than men who ate little or no chocolate.

High in MagnesiumCacao is higher in magnesium than any other plant. Magnesium is an important mineral that helps in the regulation of the digestive, neurological, and cardiovascular systems. Since many people are magnesium deficient, adding magnesium-rich dark chocolate to the diet can improve overall health.

Artery Cleanup
Studies have shown that the antioxidants in cacao work like brooms in sweeping plaque out of the arteries.

Brain Health
Many studies have shown that dark chocolate is good for the brain. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that it can protect the brain after a stroke by shielding the nerve cells from further damage. Dark chocolate has also been found to improve memory. Researchers at California's Salk Institute found that a chemical in chocolate called epicatechin improved the memory of mice.

Raw Thai Coleslaw

RAW THAI COLESLAW

Raw Thai Coleslaw

 Serves 3 to 4 people

SALAD:

3 cups chopped cabbage

1 cup sliced zucchini

1 cup sliced bell pepper

1 cup shredded carrots

1 bunch of fresh basil, chopped

1 bunch fresh mint, chopped

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

1 bunch fresh chives, chopped

DRESSING:

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup Nama Shoyu

2 tablespoons agave nectar

1/4 cup olive oil

2 cloves of garlic, peeled

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder

pepper flakes (optional)

In a blender, combine all dressing ingredients and blend until smooth. Pour dressing over salad, mix and serve.



                                                              

                                             

RAW MARINARA PASTA

RAW PASTA

NOODLES
2 ZUCCHINI, CUT LIKE SPAGHETTI NOODLES OR USE SPIRAL SLICER

SAUCE
4 SMALL TOMATOES
HALF CUP BASIL
2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL
3 CLOVES GARLIC
PINCH OF SALT
1 TEASPOON PEPPER FLAKES
BLACK PEPPER (OPTIONAL)


COMBINE ALL INGREDIENTS IN A BLENDER, EXCEPT THE ZUCCHINI NOODLES, AND BLEND UNTIL THEY HAVE A SMOOTH CONSISTENCY. PUT NOODLES IN BOWL AND POUR SAUCE OVER THEM.

For more easy raw recipes check out
Raw Food Recipes Made Simple and Easy: Deliciously Quick Raw Food Recipes for Beginners

Best Sources of Raw Vegan Protein

There are plenty of ways to get protein without eating animal products and studies show that vegan protein is much healthier and cleaner. Here are a few great sources of raw vegan protein:

• Spirulina
• hemp seeds
• sprouts
• flax seeds
• pumpkins seeds
• almonds
• asparagus
• broccoli
• celery
• dandelion greens
• cauliflower
• tomato
• kale
• spinach
• parsley
• cucumber

Raw Protein Smoothies

Green Smoothie

1/2 cup spinach
1/4 cup parsley
1 banana
1 cup coconut water
1 cup berries of choice
2 tablespoons hemp seed protein powder
1 tablespoon agave if desired

Rejuvenate

1 bunch kale
6 ribs celery
1 cucumber
1 lemon
2 apples

Super Smoothie

1 apple
1 pear
1 bowl of berries
3 tablespoons spirulina
3 tablespoons flax seed oil

For more raw recipes:
http://www.rawvegancookies.com/Recipes.html

Raw Plant Sources of Calcium

• almonds
• apricots
• cabbage
• carrot
• collards
• endive
• dandelion greens
• kale
• filberts
• parsley
• figs
• sesame
• spinach
• sunflower seeds
• watercress
• oranges
• dates
• raisins

Orange & Kale Smoothie

2 oranges
2 cups kale
1/2 cup water

Carrot and Kale Juice

Juice the following:

6 carrots
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch kale

Sesame Kale Salad

Salad
4 cups kale, chopped or torn
10 crimini mushrooms, sliced
15 cherry tomatoes, halved

Dressing
¼ cup Sesame Seeds, raw
2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Nama Shoyu
¼ tsp Black Pepper
Salt to taste
Water as necessary

If your worried about getting enough calcium you can also try a raw calcium supplement like Garden of Life Vitamin Code Raw Calcium, 120 Capsules

Raw Food Pyramid:

Great Tasting Raw Food Meals for Optimum Health!