explanation required

[Shanti]

...okay, so, according to strict raw foodists, are all of the vegetables and grains in the world that need to be cooked really not good for you? I sort of believe that the raw food diet is one of the oldest around, but at some point, fire was invented, and then peoples' lifestyle and diet changed...... broadened, I believe. I'm not doubting the philosophy (particularly because I am only sitting down to read this book now), but I would like some clarification. Any takers??

[JennaBoBenna]

I feel that fire was discovered as use for warmth and light, not for cooking food.
And just because people started using fire to cook their food doesn't mean that it's what nature intended us to do
re: other vegetables that need to be cooked to consume--all of the food on the earth isn't just for us, there are other organisms that feed on this food raw :)

[StarFire]

I think many of the veggies that some belief must be cooked can be eaten raw -- like potatoes, or asparagas... and I'm sure there are many others out there. I guess I don't consider myself a STRICT law abiding rawbie.. I don't sweat or stress the small stuff.... like ...

some rawbies argue honey is not raw... I still use it
some argue maple syrup is not raw... I still use it
some argue that cashews are not raw... I still eat them...

I make wise choices - and I'm not going to sweat the small stuff. I consider myself a raw foodist - if anyone wants to get up in my face and say technically I'm not cuz I eat honey and cashews... well... I'd...

well... I'd probably start laughing at them, (not to be rude - ) its just cuz I think its silly to waste time on something like that! ;)

as far as grains... hmmm... I dunno... You could probably grind wheat in a coffee grinder and still use it to makes some kind of bread thingy in the dehydrator - wouldn't that technically still be raw? but then if you're not eating WHEAT for health reasons - then that's a whole nother story.

I do believe that some grains are sprouted and eaten by many rawbies... but I still consider myself a newbie to all of this... so ... I'll sit back and see what some of the older rawbies opinions are....

great post btw!! ;)

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/bigthumbup.gif

[Shanti]

JennaBoBenna: thank you for providing me with a less ego-centric perspective...funny, I've been a vegetarian for 16 years, and people actually believe animals are here for us to EAT....I feel like now thats my assumption with vegetables!
Humbly,
newbie