Why Raw?
On Wednesday, July 18, 2007, I officially began introducing raw foods into my daily diet. Not just as in, “I need to eat more salads,” but as a permanent vital health solution. So at this stage in my life, what brought on the curiosity in raw food cuisine? Well, I didn’t have a weight problem. I have read many, many cases of the most amazing people who went raw and reversed obesity along with all the chronic health conditions attached to it. So there are no before and after photos. However, health issues can lurk in any of us…we know one does not need to be overweight to be unhealthy.
I had been primarily a vegetarian since 2000 (I say primarily, because I’d still occasionally eat seafood). In 2003, I became a certified Raja-Hatha yoga instructor and was also diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a painful inflammatory gastrointestinal condition. I had been having bouts with it for years but it had been overlooked or dismissed by doctors. Determined to get it under control without a life of prescription drugs, I’ve experimented with a plethora of dietary variations from veganism to macrobiotics to exclusively greens and fish.
I got married on August 27, 2006. My husband and I have had the time of our lives gallivanting here and there, indulging ourselves, eating and drinking nearly anything we pleased (with the exception of meat - he’s a veggie, too). I hadn’t been taking the best care of myself and it was starting to take its toll.
Eventually, I became laden with chronic fatigue. I was terribly anemic and my menstrual cycles were exhaustingly out of control. My doctor kept pushing for hormone therapy to regulate my cycle. After months of urging, I acquiesced after getting some hard blood work evidence that I needed to be treated with iron infusions and my body could shut down if the anemia wasn’t addressed. There were also increased random Crohn’s attacks for which I still refused medication. And despite my fatigue, I also had insomnia which was so frustrating I started taking prescription sleep aids.
Finally, on the second day of a family cruise in July ‘07, I became violently ill with the infamous “cruise ship bug”. Talk about good times! A few days after the initial onset while resting in a relatively non-painful, unvomiting state, I knew that this was a wake-up call. I truly believed this experience came with a higher message and I was supposed to get this bug to flush out my system. Ultimately, I had to take control of my health.
Hubs had known about raw food intricately for years before I met him. One weekend, we took a trip to NYC and I had my first raw meal at Pure Food and Wine. We were so impressed by the menu, we literally ordered one of every item that appealed to us (= 12 courses). I knew then that this raw thing would become one of my next projects!
I quit taking the hormones only after 3 months (2 months into raw) since my body was rejecting them anyway, and guess what? I’ve been perfectly well and normalized ever since. My iron and hemoglobin levels are now in the normal range. Now, of course with raw transition there is detox. In the beginning it was a little confusing and hard to distinguish between what was detox, what was residual stomach bug or Crohn’s, and what was iron-related fatigue. But it has become easier and easier because the cleaner my body becomes, the more I understand what it is trying to tell me.
In a very short period of time, I became very enthusiastic about raw not just for its health benefits, but because it’s a whole ‘nother out-of-the-box way of loving your food and living. Raw cuisine is an art in itself, and has been a medium for adding true life and balance to the dishes I prepare. Any type of dietary journey, is very personal and always a continuous learning process. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all health solution, nor is there no such thing as perfection, and engaging in a raw lifestyle is not about that. Incorporating raw food into your life, whether you eat 50% or 100% each day, can be a big key to taking control of one’s own health.
<3, JMK
Dear Julie:)
I too am a crohns survivour. I’ve had 3 sugerys, I take no meds. I went raw in 05 due to skin and lymphatic cancer. I was able to stay 95% raw for 2 years, and then the crohns came back with a vengence. I only have 3 ft of small bowel left and i can do about 50% raw, just green salad and fruit, some nut butter and desserts, but I wondered how you stay raw and do you suffer from bloating and wicked gas(sorry). I live in Melbourne with my husband, daughter and 2 pups, and I am also yoga teacher:):) spooky eh?
Blessings,
Joy from Melbourne
Hi Joy! Wow, God bless you…you’ve had a bit worse of a struggle with Crohn’s than I have (thankfully, knock on wood it stays that way). Although, when I was first diagnosed my doctor suggested that I may be a candidate for an “experimental” surgery. I told him that unless my intestines were ready to fall out and die that I was no way going that route.
Anyway, to answer your questions, I do experience that bloat and gas from time to time. However, it’s a small sacrifice given the overall health benefits of raw I have enjoyed. Since being raw I have only had 2 to 3 really bad episodes where I was bed-ridden for 1 to 3 days. Also, keep in mind that I am not religiously 100% raw. Some days, yes, but overall about 85%. It’s more about becoming conscious of taking the steps to increase living foods in your diet. Given our individual situations, everyone is on a different level and you do what you can.
That first time I was diagnosed, the doc gave me a long list of all the things I could never eat, which seemed like practically everything. I remember looking at the list wondering if the man was crazy, because how could I ever get through life without salads or fruit? I learned to listen to my body and it turned out that the most acute triggers were red meat (pre-veg, I would keel over from pain), and other animal proteins, certain dairy products, corn and popcorn.
Dr. David Klein is a 25+ year faw foodist who suffered from Crohn’s. If you haven’t already checked him out, it’s inspiring: http://www.colitis-crohns.com/about.html
Good luck to you and thank you for writing!
Love and health,
Julie
Hi Julie:)
Thanks for your note:) I am infact about 75% raw. I got the same no-no list too, they no zilch about nutrition. I have David Klein’s book as well it’s very helpful. Same triggers for me. As I am vegan, the only aggravators are nuts, seeds and wheat. Thanks so much for your time.
Respectfully,
Joy
hello Julie , you are truly an inspiration for those who have and are suffering from chron;s thankfully I am not but I do have stomach issues now and then I have problems digesting wheat and sea moss has helped me a great deal. I make sea moss smoothies every day with strawberries and almond milk and agave it is a must try. Sea moss or irish moss is the best, it is filled with calicum, iron and magnesim and all the things the body needs to perform in a effective manner. stay well and keep up the great work.
What a compelling story. You’ve inspired me. Can you point me in the right direction, as to how to begin? Having only spent a short time on your site (and loving every minute of it), it’s probably all here.
I’m posting today because I just want to “check in,” show my support and get yours!
I’m a native (pre-interstate highway) Floridian (N. Fla.-born) who’s lived on the back bay of Fort Myers Beach — three blocks from the shrimpboat docks — for 25+ years. I cannot give up shrimp, even if I must have ceviche!
I was a vegan from 1974 to 2000. Husband went along; son (now 22) never had meat until he was in middle school.
I love fresh everything. Because I write full time from home, I have the luxury of always cooking fresh and slow.
Great ideas, is there a place to elaborate on this all?
Wow Julie, my health problems are so similar to yours. I do not have Crohn’s but I do have the same menstrual issues, low hemoglobin and I just received a blood transfusion several weeks ago for iron deficiency. My doctor wants me to get the iron infusions. I have been researching a raw diet and I am currently in Penni Shleton’s Raw Food Rehab for 100 days. It is so inspiring to hear that maybe my health issues can be reversed by a raw food diet. I am 50% raw now and trying to raise that to 75%.. Thank you so much for posting your story.