Allopathic Doctor supports RAW!

[luckitri]

But she advised me staying away from the coconut as she says the data is not in about how it affects my high cholesterol. She is Vietnamese so I wonder that cultural background helps her perspective to this lifestyle (I don't know anything about life there and what they eat)....I couldn't believe it - she was supportive! Oh yes, she did not seem at all surprised when I told her the benefits that I have achieved from raw! This is the first time we have been on the same page and not had a somewhat antagonistic relationship.

[dreamrawalwz]

wow that's so rawsome! I'm sure her background and ethnicity has a huge impact on her diet and views of health in others! Where is she?

[luckitri]

Here in Phoenix area.....as in AZ. I forgot to mention that she actually initiated a brief discussion as to the validity of pH in the body and I told her that I had just seen a list of acid and alkaline foods (here) so she understood that I understand. I have high cholesterol and high risk of heart attack so any raw suggestions are welcome. I didn't think that heart attack ran in my family but I just recently found out that it is hereditary. She wants me to take some cholesterol lowering drug called Zetia and I would rather not but even though I haven't had a new test I can feel that my cholesterol is not down and since I didn't stay 100% raw I am considering the drug. I have been trying to find cholesterol help in old threads on here but I guess I just haven't found the right one yet. I also have to go for a biopsy of my female parts - just to be on the safe side.

[Lay-Lay]

Glad you found a doctor that you felt was supportive. Deep purple cabbages and beets I have read are good for the heart.

[Biff]

Hey Luckitri,

My wife's cholesterol went down 80 points in a month and a half (285 down to 205) of eating high raw. She made a green smoothie every morning with coconut oil or Udo's oil. (So obviously the coconut oil had no bad affect on her cholesterol.

We are going to test her cholesterol again within the next couple of weeks and we are hoping it will be at least 180. Will post the results when they are in. :)

[luckitri]

Thanks all, especially Biff! Everything that I have read on the young coconut has said that it is a good fat - like avocados. When I make the coconut blend it helps me stay awake at work while everyone else lives on noDOZ and helps ease the hunger pangs of adapting to raw.....plus I just love coconut and it is a treat and makes me feel like I am being good to myself. My skin has also improved with it replenishing the oils.

LayLay - I have been craving beets but I have never had them raw! (Actually came on here to find a coleslaw recipe for the cabbage I am craving) Yes this long weekend I am considering doing some recipes for the first time.

[kellibelli]

Luckitri - I am in the Phoenix area as well, the far west side. Do you know of any good places to get inexpensive produce???

[Biff]

kellibelli,

Henry's always has good deals on organic foods depending upon what week it is. I find that the greens there are cheaper than Whole Foods, but Whole Foods usually has *everything* if you want to buy all of your produce in one stop.

Costco has been having a pretty good deal on tubfuls of organic spinach lately.

If you live on the far west side (near Palo Verde?) perhaps you can find some farmer's markets out there and get everything for really cheap!

[luckitri]

Well I know a raw woman who is in a farmers co-op where she pays the money and gets a box of organic - never knowing exactly what it will hold. If you are interested I can get the info for you from her. I am not that far west. 51st ave and Cactus. On Bell rd and 55th or 57th ave there is both a Henry's and a Sprouts across the street from each other. I am not that much into organic yet. There is an Asian Market on the west side of 43rd ave just north of Union Hills. (Not close but can take the loop 101) I also like to go to the Asian market known as "Manila Market" - I've been going so long that I am not even sure where exactly it is - I think 35th ave and Dunlap. This is where I can get the greens that no-one else has - watercress, mint, tarragon, basil, strange greens that I have never seen before and that they cannot tell me English words for but they are good - and also the young coconut. Lately their spinach has been good with no rot and no dirt and cheaper than anyone else as well. They have fruit that I have not tried and do not know what it is. They have durians in the freezer and lots of other produce that you will not find so consistantly elsewhere but you do have to put up with the smell from their meat and fish and I don't know how much longer I will tolerate that. In that market you will see people from Russia, Arabia, India, Phillipines, Hawaii, Chinese - must be a good place when they all go there. If you want young coconut from this market you must go on Wednesday when they get them. Now that I have told so many people about this place they also don't put very many out at once either but a cashier will help you get a box containing 9 for $9 if you wish to have that many. When I lived further west there were some farmers selling items but high priced, not certified or even sure if organic and often want to sell in large quantities that is too much for me. I did like a farmer on 75th ave just south of Bethany Home who does keep his stand open year 'round whereas the others often just stay open for a few weeks each season. When it is not hot he will have some good greens that you won't get elsewhere. He also will have things like Armenian cucumbers and his okra is tender and edible raw. One time his son went into their own personal back yard to get me some of their juicing oranges and they own all my chickens now even though I don't even know this farmers name. I have looked things up on-line and haven't found this farmer or what I want so maybe my looking skills need some work. There used to be alot of farm stands on the west side but most have been built over so maybe you can ask your neighbors to find if there is one close to you still. I am wondering if the farm stand tradition continues in our fast growing cities to the west like Buckeye, Goodyear, etc......they might be close to you. Also I have wondered if there are any good markets in the Sun City area or Litchfield Park.