I was already a vegan before turning raw vegan actually, so meat and diary were already out of my diet. But I’m still open to having cooked food every now and then if I can’t get the foods while I’m out. Indeed, the negative emotions/moods were just as you said. People continue to indulge in those food because they feel bad if they don’t. On the surface it seems like those foods quell the negative emotions, when they’re really the causes. Kind of like having withdrawal symptoms from trying to curb an addiction – the first phase will be hard to overcome, but once done, the clarity comes thereafter.

It’s great to hear that you’ve embraced whole foods and are experiencing improvements. A lot of people have trouble staying well on a vegan diet, so you may want to pay close attention to how you feel if you continue with the diet. Hopefully you won’t be opposed to adding meat, or at least dairy, back to your diet if your body indicates that it’s necessary.

Yes, happiness is definitely related to health. It’s much harder to be happy when your healthy is biologically predisposing you to bad moods and limiting your physical capabilities.

One of the reasons why so many people can’t get away from processed foods is because they’re addictive. Sugar and refined carbohydrates can alter neurotransmitter levels, and in turn, affect our moods and make us crave more. I think when such an imbalance exists, we’re more likely to experience unpleasant moods and dwell on the negative emotions that you’re referring to.

Yes, the food industry is a major power that is stealing many people’s health. The drug industry is even more ruthless. I’d like to go one step above what Pollan says and avoid pretty much any food that’s packaged. If it wasn’t here 10,000 years ago, we probably shouldn’t be eating it. It’s very hard to go wrong with natural whole foods.

I used to be a victim of the sports drink hype and drink a lot of it, but now I know better and stay away from them. You’re exactly right about what it does to blood sugar. I wrote an article about how sugary foods and beverages like sports drinks cause a blood sugar rollercoaster.

Those are all great authors you’ve mentioned. I haven’t read any of Michael Pollan’s books yet, but I have two of them on my bookshelf and can’t wait to get to them. I just wrote an article last week about Julia Ross’ Mood Cure and how food can resolve mood disorders. There’s an abundance of amazing information out there for anyone who’s willing to go after it!

Isn’t funny how we all fall for the magic pill at times. There is a lot of companies out there that should feel shameful for some of the so called “healthy foods” that they pass of on us. It all about the mighty dollar. We all know this but we still fall prey to it from time to time.

The energy drink industry is worth a gazillion dollars. What most of these addicts don’t realize is that drinking them starts a roller coaster effect on the blood sugar. This exhausts the adrenal system and leaves you craving what? That’s right. Another energy drink. Go figure.

Michael Pollan stated best in his book “In Defense of Food” He says that if a product has to state it is healthy if probably isn’t. That vitamin fortified sugar laden cereal is not healthy for you. Those whole wheat lean pockets. Not good for you. Beware of health claims from anything that is not a whole food.

If you want to be healthy, the number one best thing you can do is educate yourself. This way you’ll understand what hype and what’s truth. Reading this blog is a great start. Read books from Pollan, Fallon, Weston Price, Julia Ross, among many. Take a nutrition course.

If you want to lose weight and gain energy stop dieting and start balancing your body chemistry. Do this and those unwanted pounds will fall off automatically and your only side effect will be an abundance of energy. How do you do this. Again educate yourself. It not rocket science. If you lack the time or the interest hire someone like Vin or someone else with a holistic approach. I find it amusing that there are people out there that are willing to pay for the latest miracle or miracle gadget but not for an actual nutritional therapist which will get to the root cause and educate at the same time.

I guess we all want the path of least resistance. It human nature. I find myself caught in the middle. Do yourself a favor and start your liberation today.

Kristen – Yes, it’s very sad how simple the concepts of healthy living are but how few people are aware of them. It made me pretty upset when I discovered this and helping others realize it is one of my primary motivations for this blog.

Bud – Exactly! As I just mentioned to Kristen, I’m trying to help wake everyone up.

Nice picture btw

Cheers,
KristenM
(AKA FoodRenegade)