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

RAW & PREGNANT

Yes, it is possible to do a raw food diet while pregnant and be perfectly healthy. If you are eating a balanced diet of fruit, veggies, nuts, seeds and legumes than there is no reason why you shouldn't be getting all the nutrients you and your baby need. If you are concerned about getting enough calcium simply add more calcium rich foods to you diet like carrots, carob, green leafy vegetables, sprouted lentils, string beans, almonds, filberts, Brazil nuts, sea vegetables, sesame, sunflower seeds and figs. Green leafy vegetables, seeds and nuts are also a good source of protein and if you want to boost your iron levels try adding some alfalfa sprouts to your salad. Alfalfa is also a good source of calcium and folic acid.

Here are a few recipes from David Wolfe's book The Sunfood Diet Success System  that can help boost your calcium, protein and iron intake while pregnant:

Sequoia's Calcium Soup

10 kale leaves
1 handful of parsley
2 cloves of garlic
1/3 of a red onion
2 lemons
1 avocado
1 tomato
2 yellow bell peppers
1 handful Dulce strips
1/2 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
1 tablespoon of unpasteurized miso
3 tablespoons flax oil
20 pumpkin seeds

While blending all ingredients, add water to reach a thick, soupy consistency.

Performance

1 glass of coconut water
1 heaping tablespoon of spirulina

Spirulina is an excellent source of protein.

Iron Booster

10 strawberries
10 raspberries
1 slice of watermelon
1 hand full of parsley

Blend and serve.


David Wolfe also recommends that pregnant women add more edible wild plants, seaweeds, bee pollen and superfoods to their diet, as wells algae oil or DHA.

If your pregnant and want to learn more about eating a raw food diet while pregnant check out the following book:

Benefits of Avocados:

Avocado is an amazing fruit that can replace meat and dairy fat in the raw diet and the fat contained in avocado is actually good for you. The Monounsaturated fat found in avocados can help lower cholesterol and prevent heart disease. Here are some other benefits to eating avocado:

• Avocados have the highest fiber of any fruit.
• Avocados are highest in protein of any fruit.
• They have more potassium than bananas.
• Avocados work as an anti-inflammatory
• They can help prevent cancer and destroy cancer cells.
• They help absorb more nutrients like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene when eaten with other fruits and veggies.

So consider adding avocado to your salads or making some yummy guacamole. Avocados also work well in smoothies or just by themselves with a little seasoning.

 Easy  Raw Avocado Recipes

Guacamole

Mix together the following in a mixing bowl:

3 medium avocados
1 cup scallions
1 bunch cilantro
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 cloves peeled garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil

Serve with veggies like bell pepper or your favorite raw bread.

Avocado and Cucumber Salad

Combine the following in a large bowl:

5 avocados, cubed
4 cucumbers, chopped
4 Roma tomatoes, chopped
1/2 sweet onion, chopped
1/4 cup chives, chopped
2 parsley springs, chopped
2 tablespoons raw tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 jalapeno, chopped
salt
black pepper

Raw Chocolate Pudding

Blend the following in blender

1 medium avocado
2 1/2 tablespoons raw cocoa
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup dates
1/2 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon sea salt