Daniel Vitalis and avoiding dogma

[fallenrose]

Interesting video from a healthy/raw living "guru," Daniel Vitalis. It is direct at raw foodies, but it seems to me it would be interesting to many folks. As I continue to ponder and research, I'm finding I'm agreeing much more with the "any dogma is bad, just eat what makes YOU healthy" kind of folks than the "100% raw vegan is the only way to be

Comments

[solestria]

I've been having success adding some local, organic, raw goat's milk into my diet (one of my coworkers has a milk goat and I get it from her). I thought I couldn't handle dairy at all, but my body definitely likes this stuff. It may be the kind of dairy as much as anything else that bothers you. Incidentally, I'd tried the only raw or fermented dairy before, but I also didn't know the source like I know Laurel (and I've seen pictures of her goats, know they're well-treated, etc). This is a different level of quality control.

There are things people can't get from vegan diets--vitamin B12, appreciable levels of omega-3 fatty acids, etc. I think a vegan base (lots of veggies, some fruit, plenty of whole grains) is a great place to start for any diet, but I also think getting some other foods in there can be extremely beneficial, and are also nourishing in general. I've also seen quite a number of patients at the clinic who couldn't handle much raw food and do much better with something like congee, which is cooked for a long period of time over low temperatures, because it's largely predigested and they simply have not enough digestive energy at this point to handle digesting the foods themselves.

So basically: yes, it really depends, and dogma is bad. *grin* Also, thanks for the video--I like this guy, though he needs a lesson on Quakerism.

[fallenrose]

Agreed! I winced at that part a little, but I got what he meant.
Yeah, everything I've read indicates that going from a weak digestive system to a high raw diet can be a bad, bad idea. I've also read that transitioning slowly can be a big help and that done right, raw foods can really strengthen the digestive system because the enzymes are being replenished rather than depleted. Digestive enzyme supplements can be helpful too - I have found I seem to have trouble digesting too much fat (eating a lot of avocado or nuts upsets my stomach) and digestive enzymes help.
I have decided I want to try raw goat milk/kefir at some point... I don't know where to get it around here. And I am still hesitant, because I am so used to dairy really messing me up! Right now I'm just sticking to kombucha and coconut milk kefir - which Bloomingfoods now sells! But if I can find a good source, I think I'll give it a try. I think you are probably right that it may be just the kind of dairy, and not all lactose.

Gosh, now I'm hungry!

[solestria]

I've never even heard of coconut milk kefir! Is it branded? If so, I'd love to get that ordered by my local health food store.

Indiana's got lots of farms; I imagine someone's got a milk goat you could meet. Try checking with the Center for Sustainable Living, perhaps? Incidentally, I seem to do MUCH better when I avoid cow dairy (though at the moment, my coworker's goat's milk is the only diary I'm eating at all--I'm going to slowly try other goat/sheep sources and see what happens).

One day, I will get a kombucha baby and make my own. Unfortunately, I simply don't have the funds to buy it, though drinking it makes my body happy.

[fallenrose]

Yes, it's Turtle Mountain, the same company that makes the "So Delicious" soy ice creams. They've branched into coconut milk this year - Bloomingfoods started selling coconut milk yogurt earlier this year. It is SO good, very creamy in texture.
I should talk to folks at the Farmers' Market and see what I can find...
I have a Kombucha starter in my fridge right now... I just need to find a container big enough to ferment a couple gallons at a time! I got it through the local Permaculture Guild - you might look into a trade like that too.

[solestria]

Oh, we have coconut yogurt here (though it's so high in sugar I never buy it)! I think they're the people who make the tasty coconut ice cream as well. I'll definitely see if I can order that.

I know there are kombucha babies floating around Asheville all the time; I just need to create a set-up and get my hands on one of them. Which means I should probably look into what that entails so I can have stuff ready before I acquire one.

[fallenrose]

Also, check this out: http://rawmodelcom.blogspot.com/2009/06/kefir-madness.html (info and links on making your own kefir)

[solestria]

Oooh, thank you! I could make sure tasty kefir! I love the idea of being able to control the amount of sugar I add, too.

[fallenrose]

Also, this may be slightly more useful: http://therawdivas.com/blog/?p=1906