One evening, several years ago, I read a magazine article that changed my life forever. The message was simple and to the point, but causing no less of an impact for its brevity. For within the amount of time it took to read a two-page article, mine and my family's eating habits and health, our very lives, would be forever changed. The message was direct: “synthetic petroleum-based food additives and artificial colorings will not only harm you physically, but can also stunt growth and brain development in children.”(1) I would never be able to look at chicken nuggets, and the like, the same way again.
The next day, with a large black plastic garbage bag in hand, I confronted the ugly shelves of denial in my pantry and refrigerator. With the last box of sugar-coated neon-colored cereal going swiftly into the big dark body bag of ill health, I said “good-bye” to the ignorance of my past and set out to learn more about nutrition and healing. As the member of my family responsible for the feeding of our children I wasn't willing to settle for a lack of knowledge any longer. I could no longer rely on the bliss of my ignorance – it was time to get serious and get educated. We had only two children then, but they were young and impressionable – and I wanted to make a good impression; one that would give them the nutritional strength they needed to carry them through the physical hardships of their lives. But where should I begin?
There were several conversations, books, web sites, and television programs along the way to my raw food enlightenment, but none made as profound an impact as The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell. It was this book that showed me the true realities of the Standard American Diet (S.A.D.). It was the scientific proof I needed, both for myself and my friends (who thought I had gone off the deep end), to finally show that we are, in fact, being led down a path of ill health, and indeed death, by chicken nuggets, fries and diet soda (2).
Then, a short time later, a friend shared what she knew about raw and living foods with me and directed me toward Alissa Cohen's web site (AlissaCohen.com) - it was as if a light switched on in my head. It seemed like just the right balance of good sense and good nutrition. Within just a few days of eating 100% fresh raw fruit, vegetables, nuts and sprouted grains, I felt energized. My hormones and bathroom habits leveled out, and within about 3 months, I dropped nearly 40 pounds without even trying. My husband's results were equally uplifting: he slept better, and snored less (much to my great happiness), he had less digestive problems, and we both experienced a wonderful renewal of our life energy and spiritual selves. There's something about eating pure, raw, God-given foods, that puts you back in touch with nature and your surroundings - it is difficult to explain, yet very tangible.
In offering this web site and raw food preparation classes, it is my hope that others might share the same dramatic effects that I and my family have experienced. It is not enough to know, we must be able to share what we learn. It is my goal to provide sound nutritional coaching and enough guidance to allow people to heal themselves of and even prevent disease and disabling illness to allow for a longer, greater quality of life. Raw and living foods are not only good for you, but they are a delicious and exciting way to change your life forever.
If you have questions about one of my “cooking” classes or anything you have seen on this web site, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am delighted to share what I have learned, and am happy to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
I wish for you abundant joy and good health,
Anna Sinclair Tipps
Owner, TheRawTable.com
Editor & Publisher, PurelyDelicious (PurelyDelicious.net)
Certified Living on Live Food Teacher
SW Houston/Richmond/Ft. Bend County Area
anna@therawtable.com
281-732-6166
Please discuss any dietary changes you may be considering with your health-care professional. I did, and he had some wonderful suggestions.
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(1) Mothering Magazine, “The Feingold Solution: Assessing the Role of Diet in Children's Behavior,” by Jane Hersey. May-June 2003
(2) http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/qatrans2.html
"Although the updated Nutrition Facts panel will now list the amount of trans fat in a product, be aware that it does not have a %Daily Value for trans fat. While scientific reports have confirmed the relationship between trans fat and an increased risk of CHD (Coronary Heart Disease), none has recommended an amount of trans fat that the FDA could use to establish a Daily Value."
