By Nomi Shannon, author of The Raw Gourmet
Reprinted with permission of the author.
www.rawgourmet.com
2. Be Aware of useless "certification". On a related theme, I am noticing every Tom Dick and Harry of raw food information (and misinformation) is now getting into the concept of offering "certification". Well, who is certifying you? What are their credentials? One such "certification" is adding up to close to $6,000.00 (for about three weeks). For that kind of money you can take the 9-week program at Hippocrates Health Institute which has been around for a long time and has a good history and track record.
Certification from someone who has a recognizable name and has been around for some time; with something that says something about their area of expertise such as a book, or someone who has been teaching for a long time might be worth your while, but don't waste your time and money on a "three week wonder".
3. Be Aware of people who tell you what to do.
There is no one pill, no one herb, or collections of pills, supplements, herbs, foods that are right for all people. When you are being told take this for that problem, eat this, drink that then suspect the person is either on an ego trip or looking to make money for themselves, or both. If there were one right way for us all life would be so simple, wouldn't it?
If there were one right way to eat then I would be a very rich lady indeed. Do not ask your neighbor or me what they eat hoping to emulate and be just like them. What works for your neighbor or me may not work for you.
4. Be Aware, you need to do your own research.
Sorry. You are a unique person. You have strengths and weaknesses, and they are different than your neighbor, your sister, your cousin or your raw food guru. I am talking about physically here, but it is true about all aspects of YOU. There is really no expert that can tell you about you. Wouldn't it be so easy to just follow one way that you hear about from one person? If that worked, there would be far fewer "gurus" out there.
You need to understand what it takes to keep you the healthy vibrant person you want to be. Of course generalities like exercise, clean air, clean food, right livelihood, relationship all factor into what makes you you. But the fact is, you need to experiment, research, read, learn, try until you find the right specific combination that works for you. For example, this week a friend made a smoothie out of nut milk, nuts, bananas, plus three other kinds of fruit. That would be digestive and caloric disaster for me. My smoothies are made out of fruit juice diluted with water, and 2-3 fruits. We are very different from one another and what works for one does not work for the next person.
Stop looking for "the answer" from outside of yourself, it is a futile quest. Stop thinking that this one person, or book (or pill) is the one right answer for you. Do not be lazy about looking after your own health. No one can care as much about you, or know as much about you as you do!!
5. Be Aware that some people treat Raw Foodism as a religion. Avoid them.
I hope that you understand this without a big long explanation.
6. Be Aware that there is more to life than the food you eat.
I hope you understand this without another big long explanation.
NEXT: "Choosing Happiness"
By Nomi Shannon, author of The Raw Gourmet
With permission of the author, excerpted from an article in the April 15, 2003 issue of The Raw Gourmet newsletter, by Nomi Shannon. Check out the FREE 7 part email course that Nomi offers at her site, called The Raw Truth, each of the 7 brief "classes" includes a free recipe.
www.rawgourmet.com
rawgourmet@aol.com
Creative Health Institute wishes to express their sincere thanks to Ms. Shannon for allowing us to reprint this article.
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