Most raw foods are eaten whole and fresh, but they can also be fermented, dehydrated, sprouted, or freeze dried. As long as the food is prepared below 118°F it is considered raw, with its enzyme and nutrient content undamaged.

When you want to achieve a quantum leap in not only your health and longevity, but a higher vibrational state that brings you clarity of mind second to no other dietary philosophy, then it is time to explore increasing the amount of raw foods into your diet.

There are so many wonderful raw foods to choose from, including:

• Raw fruits
• Raw vegetables
• Raw nuts and seeds
• Raw honey
• Sprouted legumes
• Raw/unpasteurized dairy
• Fresh herbs

The nuts and seeds sold in supermarkets are not typically raw. The raw kind are available from most health food stores and are clearly labeled as "raw" on the front of their packaging.

When it comes to raw food, vegetarian, and vegan diets, there is a lot of confusion about protein, especially where it comes from and how much we should have. Protein is made up of two kinds of amino acids:

1. Essential amino acids (which we must get from the food we eat)
2. Non-essential amino acids (our body can make these)

A food that is called a "complete protein" contains all 9 of the essential amino acids. Plant foods are very high in amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Fruits, vegetables, and sprouted grains all contain various amino acids, averaging about 4% protein with some significantly higher. For example, 300g of broccolini contains 6g of protein. One look at animals such as gorillas and cows and you will see that they receive all the protein they need from plant food. Gorillas are the most powerful animals on earth and certainly do not lack any strength or stamina from a "protein deficiency."

Sprouted grains and legumes contain higher protein content and are a healthy and nutritious source of protein. Quinoa is one of the best protein sources on the planet and is so versatile it can be mixed in salad, meals, dips, or desserts. Nuts also contain protein to a lesser extent.

Breast milk, the high-quality protein needed for babies when they are growing at a tremendous rate, contains a very small amount of protein - up to 4% - which is coincidentally the average amount of protein contained in fruits and vegetables.

The symphony of life-giving phytonutrients and antioxidants provided by raw foods in nature are second to none. They contain the highest vibrational foods on earth. They also provide our body with essential nutrients that both prevent disease and help bulletproof our immune system. By ensuring that the majority of our diet comes from these pure and natural foods, we are providing it with the very best protection.

Build your food foundation on fresh, colorful fruits and vegetables that are the most nutrient-dense foods on earth. These foods are filled with antioxidants that help cleanse and detoxify the cells and tissues of the body.

• Purples (Eggplant, beets, blueberries, blackberries, figs)
• Reds (Tomatoes, bell peppers, strawberries, raspberries)
• Yellows (Lemons, bell peppers, tomatoes, pineapple, banana)
• Greens (All the leafy greens, including lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, cabbage)
Oranges (Bell peppers, apricots, oranges, tomatoes, peaches, pumpkin, carrots)

Consider eating sprouted grains and legumes such as kamut, spelt, and rye, which can be sprouted and added to salads. Pseudo grains such as quinoa and buckwheat can also be sprouted. Wild rice can be "bloomed" in a dehydrator. Sprouted grains and legumes are nutritious foods that contain protein, iron, zinc, and other trace minerals.

Soaking raw nuts and seeds overnight improves their digestibility, as the soaking helps to activate their enzymes, and deactivate enzyme inhibitors.

If you eat dairy, always choose raw (unpasteurized) dairy. With raw cheese now being sold in many supermarkets and health food stores (Organic Valley is one of the most popular brands), it's very easy to find. Raw milk is sold in stores in several states throughout the US, but is illegal in others.

Many people who have a reaction to dairy products have no issue digesting raw dairy because the enzymes that help the body digest the milk protein has not been denatured and destroyed by the pasteurization process.

Soaking raw nuts and seeds overnight improves their digestibility, as the soaking helps to activate their enzymes, and deactivate enzyme inhibitors.

There are certain foods which, once cooked, are much more easily digestible. Cooking helps break down plant cell walls in some vegetables to increase their nutrient availability. These foods include cooked beans, legumes, and some dense veggies. When cooking vegetables, lightly steam or boil them in stainless steel and serve while they are still crunchy. If boiled, make sure that you use the cooking water as it is filled with minerals leached from the foods (or mix it in with your pups food for a nutritional boost!).

Blenders are used to blends fruits and vegetables into smoothies, and to also make purees. Some can also turn nuts into nut butter. Some also act as a food processor and can shred, pulverize, grind, and chop. From the Ninja to Vitamix, there are many blenders on the market, some affordable and some very expensive. It is not at all necessary to spend $300+ on a top-of-the-line blender, but you do need something powerful enough to blend smoothly. Smoothies are a great way to fill the body with a large amount of nutrients in a form that's both portable and easy to make.

Juicers are used primarily to make fresh fruit and veggie juices. Juicers are available from everywhere and range from $50 all the way up to $200+. Some do the basic juicing of fruits and veggies, whereas others can also juice wheatgrass. Juicing fruits and veggies is much cheaper than buying them from the store and are a wonderful way to provide the body with a pure shot of high quality nutrients. The gastrointestinal tract uses a tremendous amount of energy to digest and absorb food, but raw fruit and veggie juices require very little time to digest while providing the body with nothing but pure high vibrational energy.

Just as with any diet philosophy, there is a right way and a wrong way to approach raw food living and four important pitfalls to avoid. Learn how to make your transition to raw foods a successful one:

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