From a person's health to a healthier planet, it begins with an organic lifestyle.

If you are looking for the optimal life style to stay young and vibrant longer, it's important to know the difference of consuming organic foods and cooked food. In general, the natural aging process is accelerated by cooked food. People who switch to raw food often become biologically and visibly younger with an organic foods diet with anti aging foods. Dr. Howell, in his book on enzyme nutrition, puts it quite clearly when he says that:

" A person's life span is directly related to the exhaustion of their enzyme potential. And the use of food enzymes decreases that rate of exhaustion, and thus, results in a longer, healthier, and more vital life."

Aging starts inside of our body, and the signs are only the results of what is happening within. Over the years, the body slowly but surely loses its ability to produce enzymes and major drops occur roughly every ten years. At first, such drops may not be that apparent, but as time goes by we ultimately begin to discover that we cannot tolerate or enjoy certain foods like we once did. We may also notice a reduction in stamina, and most likely what that means is that we are running low on enzymes, we start having wrinkles on our face and neck, our hair are getting grayer and thinner. Dr. Howell also says that" Enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions in living organisms. In fact, they are required for every single chemical action that takes place in your body. All of your cells, organs, bones, muscles, and tissues are run by enzymes. "Your digestive system, immune system, blood stream, liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas, as well as your ability to see, think, feel, and breathe, all depend on enzymes."

All of the minerals and vitamins you eat and all of the hormones your body produces need enzymes in order to work properly. In fact, every single metabolic function in your body is governed by enzymes. Your stamina, your energy level, your ability to utilize vitamins and minerals, your immune system -- all governed by enzymes.

About one fourth of Americans purchase organic food on a regular basis. You hear about it all over the place: it's in commercials, magazines, restaurants, and grocery stores. With all of the processed and unhealthy foods out there, it's difficult to eat healthy. When you use organic products you're eating food that's natural, better for you, and better for the environment. Here is a simple guide to this newest trend in food:

Organic food is grown without artificial fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, biotechnology, or irradiation. Animal foods that are organic have been fed organic feed and haven't been given synthetic growth hormones in order to increase their size. They're also allowed to roam more than other animals who are kept on farms that aren't deemed organic.

Research has shown that this type of food has better nutritional value for you. This is because vitamins and antioxidants are saved by refraining from the use of harmful pesticides and fertilizers. These agents aren't meant to be eaten and certainly aren't good for us.

Since organic foods are grown without harmful chemicals, the soil is much richer which helps the plants grow and puts a stop to a lot of erosion. The groundwater is also kept cleaner which means the pesticides won't be so abundant in our water.

Pregnant women and children are especially susceptible to sickness and disease. Eating this type of health foods that hasn't been polluted, will contribute to keeping their immune systems strong.

The environment also benefits from the growth of anti aging food. First, farming organically uses approximately fifty percent less energy. Toxins and pollutants aren't being used and restrictions are closely monitored by the United States Department of Agriculture. Our environment benefits from this as well.

If you've been to the store lately, you know that organic food is pretty pricey compared to the regular food on the shelves. Some estimates have shown that it's up to fifty percent higher. Though it is expensive, it's worth it if you can afford it. If you can't afford it all the time, splurge when you can. Some of the more affected foods which ought to be bought organic include specific fruits and veggies (considered to be fragile) because they need more pesticides thus adding to those you ingest. So all the fuss you've heard over this fresher, healthier type of food is legitimate. If you want to eat healthier and help the environment then organic is the way to go.

 

If you've been thinking of starting up on a raw foods diet, it's important that you carefully plan out this diet approach in accordance with your workouts. Those who are very involved in their workout program have specific nutrient requirements and if these requirements are not met, problems can and will likely arise. Consequences can be high levels of fatigue, muscle mass loss, decreased strength and muscular endurance. You don't want to take a blind approach here as the consequences can be high levels of fatigue, muscle mass loss, decreased strength and muscular endurance, as well as poor sports performance if you happen to be involved in athletic events.

Here are some of the most important things to remember if you're planning on starting up a raw foods diet.

Get Complex Carbohydrates Before The Workout
The first thing that you must make sure you do is get enough complex carbohydrates in your diet before you head out to do your workout. These complex carbohydrates are what will provide the fuel your body needs to get through those gruelling workout sessions, so without them, you're going to sputter out quickly.One of the simplest complex carbohydrates to have before a workout is raw unprocessed oats. Mix these with a small amount of dried fruit, organic raw nuts and some honey for added sweetness. Then form into tiny balls that can easily be consumed before you head off to the gym.

Finish The Workout With Fast-Acting Carbohydrates
Second, you also must make sure you get a head start on proper recovery by including a fast acting carbohydrate source immediately following your workout. This is when the muscles are most likely to suck this glucose up instantly, helping to regenerate the muscle glycogen that powers you through your exercise session. Sugars will be broken down faster in the body than a grain source which requires more reactions to take place. Fresh fruit or dried fruit works great in this case as the sugars will be broken down faster in the body than a grain source which requires more reactions to take place.
Juice also works well so if you're not in the mood to consume solid foods after a hard workout, that's a good option to turn to.

Do Not Neglect Protein
Protein is a nutrient that is often quite low in those practicing a raw food diet because unlike typical diets, you will not consume any cooked meat. Instead, turn to raw hemp seeds, nuts, as well as beans to get as much dietary protein in as possible. Beans, also mentioned as a good pre-workout carb, are really ideal for before your workout as long as you don't find them so heavy that you cannot workout.

You should aim to get one gram per pound of body weight if you can, however you may find this increasingly difficult, especially if you choose not to incorporate a form of protein powder in with your diet. Just be sure you don't go below half a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight or you may risk losing muscle mass while exercising. Being sure to get in enough carbohydrates will also help to eliminate the risk of this occurring as well since that will help prevent incoming protein being utilized as a primary fuel source.

Take In Enough Calories Total
Finally, the last thing that you must be sure to be on the lookout for is total calorie intake. If you're meal plan on your raw food diet contains mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, your calorie intake is going to end up being very low and this can make it incredibly hard to get enough energy in to get you through your activities. Active individuals who exercise three to five times a week should aim to eat at fourteen calories per pound of body weight, so do a quick calculation for yourself.

If you're aiming to lose weight you will want to eat slightly less than this but do remember that there is definitely a limit as to how low you can take your calories. If you bring them too low you risk your metabolism slowing down, preventing further fat loss from taking place.So be sure you keep these tips in mind if you're starting up on a raw food diet and are an active individual. You want to be extra sure you're getting the right foods at the right times of the day because this is what will help you see optimal results from your workout plan

On a mindful journey toward self discovery and a deep passion for health and vitality, two sisters came together and created Virgin Raw Foods.

They wanted to share their knowledge and passion for the raw foods lifestyle, and make it fully accessible to those who already know its miracles. For those who have yet to discover the power of this life-changing movement, they wanted to make it possible.

They share a story of an emotional connection during their childhood together in Poland, and a joy of newfound sisterhood here in the United States.

Growing up in Poland, the sisters had frequent access to a forest and a garden, and a lot of raw cacao nibs, fruits, organic goji berries, vegetables and other the things they ate were straight from it. They didn't have foods unatural to their climate, such as bananas and oranges. These raw food nuts and others foods were always fresh, and the sisters pride themselves on growing up with organic products. Because food was sometimes scarce, they always grew up sharing. This is part the reason Virgin Raw came about. Their kitchen was always full of people, even when food was so exclusive.

The sisters developed a passionate relationship with food, even taking part in the growing process, including planting the seeds. They would spend hours in the hot summer sun harvesting such foods like potatoes and beets. Food was a way of life for the two, and such began bonds that would spark whole new relationships.

Through their separate journeys, they had visited health spas around the world and expanded their education of nutrition and health. They then reconnected in 2008, and realized they had been together all along and united through a common goal.

Along the way they discovered the raw food lifestyle. Their sisterhood was reborn again through the self discovery of their mutual passion of helping others to live a better life by having a healthier relationship with food.

Step by step, they tried new and exciting raw foods and raw foods recipes and found great pleasure in sharing them with friends and family. In every aspect of their lives, they noticed a newfound and positive change.

Innovation and You

What's innovative today is to make a contribution to your health. If that's your new path, we feel privileged that you've chosen organic foods as part of your own personal journey of self discovery.

You're that much closer to being at your best in Wellness and Health.

By adopting a raw foods lifestyle, you may meet yourself for the very first time.