A raw food diet is a diet made of mostly uncooked, unprocessed foods using nuts, seeds, grains, and fruits and vegetables that are in season. The seeds, nuts and grains are usually sprouted or germinated bringing the foods to life and enhancing their nutrients.

Advocates believe that raw or living foods have natural enzymes, which are critical in building proteins and rebuilding the body. They also believe that heating food destroys the enzymes and can leave toxic materials behind.

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We are not recommending going completely raw as there are some health concerns about the diet being nutritionally inadequate. I personally tried it for a few months and felt great, but for my family it was too restrictive and hard to stay on for the long-term.

But I did come away with some recipes that have become staple foods in our house. The divine desserts are my favorite raw food recipes! This Strawberry Chocolate Mock Cheesecake is amazing . The crust is made of nuts and dates and the filling uses soaked cashews, raw cacao, coconut oil, with date syrup as a sweetener. Instead of cooking you freeze it! It is gluten and grain free, all natural and easy to prepare. It’s hard to believe how something so healthy can be so tasty!

Try it for yourself and wow your friends at your next get together. One warning: your friends will want you to make this divine health food often!

Contributed by Sue Anne Parsons