Reasonably Raw
I love tea. I love losing myself in all of the wonderful aromas, the ritual of preparation, and savoring the moment that it brings. I get asked often if I drink tea. I do. Is tea raw? Not likely. I could dismiss the issue by reminding people that I am not 100% raw all the time, but I think there is a bigger question that needs to be addressed here. It is about being “reasonably” raw.
Being reasonably raw asks the question, “If it is good for me, gives me health benefits, and doesn’t interfere with the benefits I am getting from being a raw foodist, do I really need to eliminate it from my diet because it isn’t 100% raw?”
Tea has amazing health benefits. It is full of antioxidants that help fight the free radicals that do so much damage in our bodies. There are many studies that demonstrate the cancer fighting properties of antioxidants. Green tea has even been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. I choose to be reasonably raw when it comes to tea. I don’t want to give up such an enjoyable way to give myself the health benefits of tea simply because it isn’t 100% raw.
Being reasonably raw involves listening to your body. I know that because I am almost 100% raw, when I deviate with unhealthy foods, my body immediately starts screaming at me. Not an exaggeration. I get lethargic, have digestion issues and mostly just feel cruddy (as I ask myself…why did you do that?) But when the deviation from raw involves feeling great, getting health benefits and supplementing my raw diet, I believe I have made a reasonable choice for myself.
Everyone must find their own “raw” path. I am not here to tell you what you can eat and what you can’t eat. I am here to guide you in your choices and hopefully help you to find interesting, healthier alternatives in the form of great raw food recipes, to what you have been eating. I want you to get in touch with your body and discover what works for you. Hopefully, we can all find a reasonable path in our quest for health.
Tressey wrote on April 6, 2010
I love tea during all seasons. My current love is nettles tea. It works wonders on my intestinal tract, boy I had no ideal what was lurking about in the midst of all the fabulous fresh, unprocessed eating. Do share, what are some of your non-raw eats?
zc wrote on April 6, 2010
Totally true and totally agree. Thanks for sharing that insight. You’re great !
Catherine wrote on April 6, 2010
Thank you for voicing what I so strongly feel. My biggest fear in going down the raw path was not being “raw” enough and that I would never measure up…but what a trap that is. It really is about doing what is best for yourself and setting your own standards. So I lift my cup of tea to you! Cheers!! 🙂
Zoe V. wrote on April 6, 2010
Great blog with an important point. The raw food journey will be different for everyone. Some may feel best at 50% raw, others at 90% and there will be those who have no problem maintaining 100% all the time. Personally, our family is around 85-90% raw and plan to increase that number once we get a dehydrator (hopefully this month). When I give advice to others on the raw food path, I ask them to incorporate as many raw foods in their diet as possible, and go from there. Telling someone to go 100% overnight will only alienate and kill the enthusiasm. It’s about making this your lifestyle and not a temporary diet to lose weight.
Kathleen wrote on April 6, 2010
I have a lot of herbal/medicinal teas. Traditional chinese medicine is fascinating in relation to the medicinal purposes for teas. And there are many teas that either have no caffeine or minimal caffeine. I love being a raw live foodist but I do not give up a good pot of medicinal tea.
Gail wrote on April 6, 2010
Hi Susan. I love to receive your emails. I was drinking my morning Chai Tea as I read this one. I’ve tried creating my own healthy version of the Starbucks Chai Tea using Roobais tea, Indian Chai seasoning, a slice of ginger, coconut milk powder or cashew milk for the creamer, and stevia for sweetening. Do you have any suggestions on improving on this? You have the BEST recipes out there!
scherry valentine wrote on April 6, 2010
Not a tea drinker yet, but I have aspirations. I think new raw foodies feel that they have to shoot for 100 percent because they (me) are saturating themselves with raw food info and love what they are learning, most of which touts cooked foods as void of any nutrients. So that is the impression that sticks with us newbies. Thanks for your balanced approach.
cristina wrote on April 6, 2010
reasonably raw is the best term I have yet heard, Susan I will pick this up and re-use it… again you are rawmazing, love c
Mary Turtle wrote on April 5, 2010
I like this post. I’m an avid tea drinker – not quite doing half raw, but trying to eat a healthy diet. Green Earl Grey is my fave. I am addicted to it, either hot or iced. Onward!