Bill Maher is Raw(ish)

[Raw Joy]

Bill Maher is scheduled to perform around here and was giving a fairly extensive interview on a radio show this morning. They got to talking about his diet because the DJ jokingly said he had heard Maher didn't keep any food in his kitchen. Evidently, Maher lives a very high raw lifestyle. Now he does add raw eggs :eek: to his morning smoothie, along with some protein poweder or something. But he said that cooking the egg would kill it nutrients. That anytime you cooked any food, you killed it and who wants to eat dead food. That you have to eat raw and juiced foods to get all of your nutrients, vitamins and minerals. He said that's one reason so many people are obese, because when they eat, they aren't getting any nutrients, so they keep eating. He really got into why he ate this way.

He was asked about the Hollywood lifestyle, with schmoozing and restaurants and deals made over dinners, etc., plus life on the road when he's out doing stand-up. He says he gives himself the option of eating cooked when he just doesn't want to be that rigid, but that he makes the choice and takes the best option when that happens. But he still makes sure he eats a whole lot of raw in those situations, because that's what he wants.

I never really watched his shows that much because I don't keep track much of what's on TV or when. But all and all, I thought it was a good interview. He made some good points, came across as very logical and laid-back instead of doing something really radical. The very meat-and-potatoes local DJ really seemed interested. I think if someone heard this, it might be enough for them to try and find out more.

Just thought it was interesting.

[Veganforlife]

That IS interesting...the word is getting out.

Still think Alissa needs to personally invite Oprah to her restaurant, her and Gail (spelled rite?) and WOW them!

Wouldn't that be getting the word out? WHOA! :eek::D;)

[Riiiya]

This is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love it hehehehehe!!!

i've seen him first when he was talking about the pharmaceutical industry as it should be talkedf about (hehehe) and thought it was great..

but anyway, this is really making me happy- more and more "celebrities" getting into this lifestyle.

[RawKnitster]

Love him or Hate him. I love his take of issues! Used to watch his show nightly of abc. Haven't seen it since he moved to HBO. :( I make a point to watch whatever program I hear he is going to be on. Wish I had heard that interview. I appreciate you took the time to share it. :)

[T-Bird]

Still think Alissa needs to personally invite Oprah to her restaurant, her and Gail (spelled rite?) and WOW them!

Wouldn't that be getting the word out? WHOA!

Oprah has had Karyn Callabrese on her show several times, Karyn is the local Chicago raw food guru.

I won't deny Alissa might be a new perspective and reach different people than Karyn, but just saying - the raw deal has been on oprah - more than once~

[Ilse W.]

Bill Maher, Jon Steward, the late George Carlin...Love these guys! They tell it like it is.
The majority of people will NEVER go raw, no matter how often Oprah has raw gurus on her show. Most people consider it a fad, because they are brainwashed by commercial television and the media. It is much easier to go to McD's than to fix a salad. Take something out of the freezer and pop it in the microwave. Dinner in minutes. People want to believe in things that are convenient. That's why they go to M.D.s who tell them to pop a pill and all will be well. Lemmings all!

[Veganforlife]

Oprah has had Karyn Callabrese on her show several times, Karyn is the local Chicago raw food guru.

I won't deny Alissa might be a new perspective and reach different people than Karyn, but just saying - the raw deal has been on oprah - more than once~

BUT I'd bet a body part Oprah hasn't been to Grezzo. And we KNOW Oprah loves to eat. I think it would work!

Sorry to HIJACK thread... :p

[SweetTangerine]

Yay! Another reason to love Bill. I just watched his new documentary Religulous and he did look very healthy and vibrant.

[T-Bird]

BUT I'd bet a body part Oprah hasn't been to Grezzo. And we KNOW Oprah loves to eat. I think it would work!

Get lobbying V4L!

[Veganforlife]

Get lobbying V4L!

I've e-mailed Alissa about it. You guys should too!!!

[T-Bird]

I think we need to be emailing Oprah!

[Veganforlife]

I think we need to be emailing Oprah!

I've done that too....but if a LOT of folks do it.

sorry, hijacking the thread again...my bad...

[T-Bird]

cough up the info on mailing oprah - I'll do it too!

[sweetlime]

He is also a board member of PETA.

[Zella Juice]

Bill is awesome! Also, I have noticed when I tell people about raw..it's either they are really interested or get this look on their face that they just threw up in their mouth. When they are interested..they are REALLY interested and want to know all the details. But still ..I try not to tell people they should drop everything and go 100% raw. Cause they are gonna fail most the time. You can tell a vegan and it might work..but I usually tell meat and cheese eaters to just start juicing. Cause that's what I did. I didn't know I would be headed to Rawville. I would have never believed that I would be eating this way.

[circle]

That IS interesting...the word is getting out.

Still think Alissa needs to personally invite Oprah to her restaurant, her and Gail (spelled rite?) and WOW them!

Wouldn't that be getting the word out? WHOA! :eek::D;)

a lot of times non raw people eat at a raw resturaunt, and are like whoa this is really good, and then an hour later they eat a burrito with bacon.

[LotsaRaw]

I had to google him - and I still don't know what to identify him with!! But if he is in mainstream media, and touting RAW - bring it on!! :)

[spicyfull]

Well Good for him, he's on HBO all weekend. Oprah don't want to be bothered and MY Life goes on.

[Raw Joy]

He said he does put egg (albeit raw ones) in his smoothies. He said he will occasionally eat fish at a restaurant, but he's really picky about what kind as far as avoiding the ones that tend to have a lot of mercury, and he will ask for it to be plained broiled with no sauces, etc.

I thought he seemed to have struck a good balance mentally. He said that with any diet, you have the option of occasionally eating something not "on it" if you want. He occasionally has pizza just because he wants it, because he said part of longevity is happiness, and if he every once in a while wants something not so healthy, he'll eat a little bit and enjoy it.

I know many people won't eat any cooked, or feel they can't eat any cooked without falling off the wagon, but he seems really at peace with his nutritional decisions and lifestyle.

I just wanted to make sure I gave all the information. Just in case someone saw him eating a fish somewhere and started a "he's not really raw" discussion. :rolleyes:

I still thought it was a great interview and discussed very intelligently.

[Veganforlife]

a lot of times non raw people eat at a raw resturaunt, and are like whoa this is really good, and then an hour later they eat a burrito with bacon.

BUT at least they eat there and she's one who loves her food. I just think it would be awesome to get her there...that's all...

[RawHeaven]

Bill Maher is scheduled to perform around here and was giving a fairly extensive interview on a radio show this morning. They got to talking about his diet because the DJ jokingly said he had heard Maher didn't keep any food in his kitchen. Evidently, Maher lives a very high raw lifestyle. Now he does add raw eggs :eek: to his morning smoothie, along with some protein poweder or something. But he said that cooking the egg would kill it nutrients. That anytime you cooked any food, you killed it and who wants to eat dead food. That you have to eat raw and juiced foods to get all of your nutrients, vitamins and minerals. He said that's one reason so many people are obese, because when they eat, they aren't getting any nutrients, so they keep eating. He really got into why he ate this way.

He was asked about the Hollywood lifestyle, with schmoozing and restaurants and deals made over dinners, etc., plus life on the road when he's out doing stand-up. He says he gives himself the option of eating cooked when he just doesn't want to be that rigid, but that he makes the choice and takes the best option when that happens. But he still makes sure he eats a whole lot of raw in those situations, because that's what he wants.

I never really watched his shows that much because I don't keep track much of what's on TV or when. But all and all, I thought it was a good interview. He made some good points, came across as very logical and laid-back instead of doing something really radical. The very meat-and-potatoes local DJ really seemed interested. I think if someone heard this, it might be enough for them to try and find out more.

Just thought it was interesting.

I just had this conversation with another raw friend who's been a raw foodist for 20+ years. I think where the raw community experiences challenges reaching a largely mainstream audience is because we have lost touch with how they eat and "their" lifestyle. If you don't come across preachy and really try to offer solutions and share/demonstrate how being a raw foodist has positively impacted your life they may just pay closer attention. And the key is not to judge, but to just let them be where they are. As an example, Aunt Hilda in Toledo, Ohio who still bakes her famous apple pie with butter, eggs, white flour and white sugar is not going to plop down 50 bucks for a package of goji berries and she sure as heck never heard of a green smoothie. 'A green what?!' :)

I didn't hear this interview, but I'm encouraged because it sounds like he was not in the clouds trying to explain something that's on the ground for many people. Eventually they'll soar too, but you have to reach them where they are, speak their language. If you really care that is and are not sitting in total judgement that Raw is the absolute golden answer. And it probably doesn't hurt also that Bill Maher is already tapped into mainstream media. Ask your friends who David Wolfe is and watch their eyes glaze over. I love David, but it just makes me question just how incestuous is this community? Do we really want to help everyone as we say we do? Or is it exclusive to those who get it? Just some questions I've been asking myself lately and that have been coming up with my circle of health conscious friends. Especially those who've been at this for many, many, many years. Thanks for listening.

[Raw Joy]

Good point, RawHeaven. I hadn't really pin pointed it until your post, but I think one of the things that most impressed me was that he was so casual about it. He was simply telling what he did in response to a question. He didn't see it as an opportunity to preach, or convert someone. Just answered the questions as if someone had inquired about his dog or remodeling his house or something.

[Cheremoya]

I think it is wise and good to support anyone who is interested in adding more raw to their diet. One candle can light the world, but it only takes a foot stomper to hurt.

[rawlight]

I thought he seemed to have struck a good balance mentally. He said that with any diet, you have the option of occasionally eating something not "on it" if you want. He occasionally has pizza just because he wants it, because he said part of longevity is happiness, and if he every once in a while wants something not so healthy, he'll eat a little bit and enjoy it.

This to me IS very healthy, emotionally. I see so many people beat themselves up for struggling to be "100%." The condemnation heaped on oneself hurts more than those few bites or a meal or even a whole day of cooked.

[adiebabe]

Cool! Good to know. My BF and I are going to watch Maher's flick 'Religulous' soon and I can point that out (plus I want to see how he looks for myself!). I've been easing my BF into vegan and raw and he's interested and willing to try stuff. So far, he's quite happy with it.

[sbaker]

i've seen a show on bill before where he talks about raw food. he also knocks the american diet A LOT , saying people complain about being sick and take drugs, but don't put things in their body they should. I love him for about 99% of what he says. I respect him SO much!

As for oprah, i use to work at her office, can't say the same for her. i know she does good things, but there is something to be said for someone who feels the need to put their picture on their own magazine every month.

she doesn't read any of her mail as she proclaims on the show...i know that for a fact:)

[cara4art]

"I think it is wise and good to support anyone who is interested in adding more raw to their diet. One candle can light the world, but it only takes a foot stomper to hurt." - Cherimoya

Excellent point! Really, how many of us, and other raw foodists out there went raw all in one swoop and stayed there, period, no exceptions? Very few, I'm willing to bet. Since we do live in a complex highly-technological culture, and have a lot of programming in us, as well as living in a junk food culture, going and being raw is a process. Some people proceed quicker than others, some go very slowly. I finally got around to reading that issue of Get Fresh magazine, and in there was a short article about the dangers of being overly zealous about trying to convert everyone to a raw vegan diet, because the fact of the matter is that not everyone is even ready to hear this kind of information. However, if one just goes about one's business and reaps the benefits of being raw, at a certain point, even doubters may start commenting about your improved health, vitality and appearance(unless they are REAL stick-in-the-muds, that is!). Recently, my very traditional aunt back east, who has had a pretty unshakeable faith in the mainstream medical system, even with having three close family members die of cancer(all while being treated with chemotherapy etc.), has started asking me about green smoothies and ways of detoxifying - amazing! If someone ASKS, I'm going to share some info! So I've been e-mailing her with suggestions as to how to start off with this, and some smoothie recipes. She is fortunate in that she already does enjoy eating fruits and veggies anyway. So, to crack a nut like that without hammering away is significant! Another pair of people at a distance has asked me about raw and vegetarianism in general, and they have appreciated my input. The trick is to tailor one's responses to the individual readiness that someone might have to tackle a change in their diet, and not force TOO much information all at once on them. Bottom-line, one has to set a great example oneself before anyone else will pick up on it, as tempting as it is sometimes to say WTF? about other people's eating habits.