A Raw Experience

Breakfast

I'm not sure how many people are familiar with the Raw Food Diet, but essentially the premise is that most nutrients in foods are lost through the cooking process: boiling, steaming, frying, baking, and heating.  The smells that infiltrate the air and the colours leached into the water when cooking are nutrients that you won't be ingesting.  Raw food enthusiasts eat fruits, vegetables, seeds and nuts in their raw state and usually favour organic produce.  There are many variations to the Raw Food Diet and many debates within the raw food community - I won't get into that - instead I'll tell you about my experience going 100% raw for 5 days and 4 nights at the last farm I visited.

The farm is situated in the hills of rural Costa Rica, accessible only by 4x4 vehicles.  Guests and volunteer interns alike sleep in tents on raised platforms.  There are hiking trails and a river to swim in.  Snakes, exotic insects, jaguars, wild boars, red macaws, hummingbirds, and toucans can be seen if you are lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective).  But the reason most people find themselves in this remote paradise is to experience and learn how to live healthily on a raw food diet.

At this particular farm, no salt, sugars, or oils are used.  There is also no coffee or hot tea.  Much of the food consumed comes from the farm itself, which practices permaculture using organic farming methods.  The rest is bought at the local farmers' market each Thursday.  I should say at this point that at this particular farm I came in as a guest, not a volunteer/intern and I am quite thankful for that change in plan.  Switching so dramatically to a 100% raw food diet, without any detoxing in advance was a bit taxing on my body.  By the afternoon of Day 2, I had a stomach ache and a headache, which were both symptoms of detoxing.  Yet, I tried to hold strong, going for a hike to a waterfall in the afternoon and beginning my interviews...but it was a really tough day.  I could not imagine coming in as an intern and being expected to work the first full day of my stay for 6 hours, plus helping with food preparation on top of that.  Interns are actually expected to begin detoxing and switching to a raw food diet one month in advance of their arrival to the farm; however this is much easier said than done.  Aside from the food there is also jet-lag and adjusting to a new routine and climate.  Not easy.

My Tent

The Waterfalls

By Day 3 I was starting to feel much better, though the green breakfast smoothies weren't as appetizing as I had initially perceived, and by Day 4 I felt great.  I can easily see why people come to this particular farm - to heal naturally from illnesses, to lose weight, to re-energize and rejuvenate.  The owner talked at length about people dropping 5-10 pounds within the first week, most of which is water retention from all the salt we consume on a daily basis.  Though the detox process is much longer, continuing for months and lasting up to two years.  

Ripe Cacao Growing on the Tree

Did you know you can eat the white fruit surrounding the cacao beans?
So Yummy!

Permaculture and raw food form a mutually beneficial relationship, not only for human health, but also for efficiency.  To paraphrase the owner of this farm, why go to all the work of raising food organically and building soil health if we're just going to destroy all of these nutrients in the cooking process.  If we are growing and eating in an efficient manner, than raw makes the most sense.

Speaking of mutually beneficial...
A vanilla vine climbing a tree, using its surface nutrients

Ginger growing in a bed mulched with coconut husks

The logic is indisputable and in a hot country, such as Costa Rica, the raw food diet feels right.  But in colder climates, such as Canada, I think going 100% raw is a much harder task - both physically and emotionally - and I sincerely take my hat off to those who try.  For now, my experience has convinced me to eat more fruits and vegetables in their raw state, but I'm certainly not ready to give up hot winter soups!

Ripe biriba growing on the tree

Biriba ready to aat
Tastes just like lemon meringue pie

For those interested in learning more about eating raw and healthy eating.  I read through and was recommended a couple books that might of particular interest:

The Raw Secrets: The Raw Vegan Diet in the Real World by Frédéric Patenaude

Eat to Live: The Amazing Nutrient-Rich Program for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss by Joel Fuhrman

Fit for Life by Harvey and Marilyn Diamond

Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill: The Complete Guide to Fats, Oils, Cholesterol and Human Health by Udo Erasmus

Right now I'm in Turrialba, staying at Casa de Lis Hostel.  I'm here to visit CATIE, The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Centre.  Tomorrow I have a half-day guided tour booked and am very excited to learn even more about tropical agriculture.  

A little bird made her nest in the shower!