What's RAW and what's NOT

[tvillemom]

There seems to be some conflict....there are many foods that seem to be in some RAW "cookbooks" and then I find out it's not REALLY RAW...HELP. How do I really know. Some foods in question are:
Nama Shoyu
Braggs
miso
"raw" almond butter
and I'm sure there are others. What are some of the foods that maybe you've just recently found out are NOT raw...and which ones are safe?
Wendi

[Punky]

There seems to be some conflict....there are many foods that seem to be in some RAW "cookbooks" and then I find out it's not REALLY RAW...HELP. How do I really know. Some foods in question are:
Nama Shoyu
Braggs
miso
"raw" almond butter
and I'm sure there are others. What are some of the foods that maybe you've just recently found out are NOT raw...and which ones are safe?
Wendi

Hi Wendy,
yes it can be confusing!
Living foods are foods rich in enzymes. Miso and Nama Shoya are processed food/condiments that are cooked but they have been fermented giving them lots of enzymes and good bacteria for a healthy intestinal track. Some raw fooders include them in their diet...others do not....

Braggs--there are many threads discussing this questionable item...
use the search engine. I think ? the questionable part is it may have naturally occuring MSG in it. Correct me if I am wrong anyone.
That may go for Nama Shoya too.....

Now I still include Nama Shoya and Braggs in my diet in very small amounts...
like when I make raw veggie sushi...
Read and make your own choice
;)
They are good transition condiments when going from a cooked SAD diet to a raw one.....celtic sea salt is a wonderful alternative to replace these items in recipes if you choose not to include them.

Raw almond butter found in most health food stores, are raw initially,
but have been exposed to higher heat in the manufactering process
so yes, they really are NOT raw. You can search for past threads on this subject too. There is a few mail order companies that sell really raw nut butters not processed with high heat OR you can make your own nut --almond--butters in your food processor.

Cashews is another questionable raw product.
To open the cashew nut, heat is often used..so the ones labeled raw at the store have been exposed to higher heats. There are raw websites that sell
**really** raw cashews. I use both..I order really raw cashews when I have the time, and $$$ (they are more expensive, but do taste so good);
or at times I use the raw cashews from the health food store when I need
some and don't have any really raw ones at home....
I am not a raw purest...so you have to decide what is right for your own raw journey.
oh, Maple syrup is another item in a lot of recipe books, esp. before agave syrup was introduced. Again it is heat processed, but has nutrients and much healthier than refined sugars. You can use *raw* agave instead of maple syrup if you choose (or dates, or raw honey)...I use them all depending on what I have on hand. Since I discovered agave syrup I haven't used maple syrup,
but I still would if I was out of other sweeteners....I mail order raw agave too; it does cost more than agave found in the health food store.

Hope that helped!

[Sharon in Colorado]

A lot of those items are under the questionable catagory. If i't's been fermented, processed, canned, etc. it's not fresh anymore, but it's certainly more optimal than other foods you would have used before. Many people in transition use them to compliment their diet and when raw long enough, usually phase them out.

[Doe]

Braggs is processed with hydrochloric acid. Here is the link where is was discussed. Post # 5 had the most info. Somewhere I have an e-mail written by a former employee of Patricia Bragg explaining the process. The e-mail was not written to me, it was posted somewhere. Oh well, this should help, hopefully.

Teri S

[tvillemom]

Thanks ya'll. I guess some of these items will be phased out of my diet...like my Braggs...guess this will be my last bottle. So much to learn.
Wendi

[Punky]

Thanks ya'll. I guess some of these items will be phased out of my diet...like my Braggs...guess this will be my last bottle. So much to learn.
Wendi

I think the most important thing is not to stress about using them and doing the
"raw" thing right...if they help you stay raw during transition, great!
use them...your taste will change after being raw for awhile and you will find you do not need them as much....
If you have Alissa's book she lists some great sources in the back for
really raw almond butter, etc...or make your own...
Best Wishes on your raw journey!