Raw Health

Chapter One
Is Your Body Dying for Living Food?
Janice Welsh and Danielle Anwar (Mother and Daughter)

It has been said that experience is the best teacher.  My beautiful daughter Danielle and I are living witnesses to this fact.  I found out I had diabetes in January 2001.  The devastating effects of this insidious disease was my initial concern.  I did not want to take medication for the rest of my life.  After going to a raw food presentation by Victoria Boutenko, author and world renowned leader of the raw food movement, Danielle and I started a fresh food plant-based way of eating. It made so much sense to us.  We were amazed at the health benefits in such a short period of time.  I was no longer plagued with diabetes after eating raw food for only four days.  We now have abounding energy and extraordinary health.  We cheerfully share this good news with other people who wish to enjoy abundant wellbeing.

Chapter Two
Health Food Nut
Cricket Lott
Pursuit of health has always been a ‘hobby’ of mine and has been a step by step process.  Learn one thing, incorporate it into my life and then use that as a step to the next level of improved health and energy. I was growing through exploration and experimentation and found healthier and healthier ways to eat, by reading, listening and hearing others stories.  Finally, I began to grow sprouts and found them to be a tremendous boost to my energy and well being.  How to grow them and care for them is an easy process.  I take you through my growth steps and show you how to grow sprouts yourself in my chapter.  I hope you find them as easy, delicious and energy giving as I do.

Chapter Three
Is Your Plumbing Up to Code?
Nancy Przedwojewski
In the process of raising a large family of eight children, Nancy discovered the Standard American Diet they were on was creating a “little house of horrors.”   Eliminating processed sugar, and all artificial flavors, colors and preservatives brought a level of calm to the home unheard of until then.  Behavior improved, attention levels increased, illness disappeared.  She began using good natural foods, herbs and supplements as the best first aid kit for her family and it wasn’t long  before  she was teaching other moms how to get their families well and stay well without medication. Since 1978 she has been on a mission to share this knowledge.

The Digestive System is seldom thought of by the majority of Americans.  Any effective wellness plan is dependent on a healthy digestive system.    Understanding how this system functions can help many people on their walk toward better health.  From the mouth to the anus our very life depends on three important components; the fuel (food) we take into the system, the effective burning of this fuel to extract energy, and the disposal of the ashes (feces).  

Chapter Four
Before and After Wholistic Health: You Decide!
Curlada Eure-Harris
The purpose of this chapter is to share a process one might use to informally compare the effects of eating and being sick with eating and being well.  This process is inspired by my interest in facilitating forums for “wholistic” health discussion, exploration and analysis.  “Wholistic” health is the term and spelling I choose to use since documenting it in my Fall 1999 Sabbatical Report to Lansing Community College on the application of wholistic health principles to self assessment for globally relevant  career counseling. In that report, available in the College’s Center for Teaching Excellence, I point out that any human being can assess oneself in a way that is more representative of the total (whole) rather than of the absence (hole) of information about oneself.  The term, also found with the “holistic” health spelling, often describes one’s attention to the balance or wellness of one’s body, spirit, and mind/emotions, in some appropriate order.

I will present a series of events about people in my life whose true stories prompted me to think wholisitically.  It is my hope that you will recognize some of the feelings and characteristics presented. May you find your own health story for personal insight and motivation. Perhaps you might be inspired to consider exploring some wholistic rethinking as one effort that could improve the quality of your day-to-day attitude about your health and your ability to influence it.

Chapter Five
Journey to a Longer Life with Physical Activity
Lynnette Young Overby
The focus of this chapter is on the benefits of physical activity.  Moderate physical activity is advocated as a means to a healthier lifestyle. Specific exercises and activities are described that will lead to enhanced cardiovascular health, a stronger musculoskeletal system, improved posture, and management of stress.

Chapter Six
Health and Wellness Model
Mozell P. Lang and Maya S. Lang (Mother and Daughter)
The purpose of starting a Health and Wellness program is to promote strategies and educational practices to increase the understanding of how to choose a healthy lifestyle.  An integrated approach is used to engage body, soul and mind.  The Health and Wellness model offers strategies for implementing regular seminars and programs, weekly and monthly throughout the year, to provide motivational forums for discussing health issues.  Research-based information and speakers are featured promoting effective ways to use diet and exercise to develop and maintain a healthy body.