Running Raw: Is raw food more expensive? 9/19/07

In this episode of the Running Raw Project: Tim debunks the notion that eating a raw organic diet is more expensive than a conventional diet. The secret? Your local farmer’s market.

Running Raw: Running with Brendan Brazier

In this episode of the Running Raw Project: It’s always a very nice treat when my friend Brendan Brazier comes into town. Not only is he one of the few people that can keep up on a long trail run, but we always have the best conversations about diet, health, performance and the state of the world. Following a long mountain run in Malibu, I got Brendan on camera to share some of his vast knowledge of nutrition. He’s more than qualified to speak on the subject, as he’s a best selling author of two books, speaks around the country on this topic (even in front of Congress), and has competed for many years as a pro Ironman triathlete. Brendan talks the talk and walks the walk.

Tabata Leg Press to Improve Running Speed and Endurance

In this episode of the Running Raw Project: After nearly 4 months of adding Tabata sets to his normal running regimen, Tim has reached a new level of fitness and speed. This video demonstrates what a Tabata set might look like, although any exercise that creates a maximal effort can be used. Tabata is extremely difficult and painful. Please see your physician before attempting to include it in your exercise program.

Winter Cross Training with Running Cleats

In this episode of the Running Raw Project: If you live in a winter environment that has access to packed snomobile trails, a great way to reduce the impact and stay in shape is to put cleats on your running shoes and run on the trails.

Running Raw: Tim VanOrden on supplement use

In this episode of the Running Raw Project: While speaking in Detroit, Tim vanorden shares his views on supplement use.

Comparision Between Vegetarian And Raw Food Diets

Is there a difference between vegetarian and raw food diets? A raw foodist is a vegetarian, but one who generally is not going to cook his vegetables or fruits. A vegetarian is someone who simply doesn't eat meat, fish or poultry, but only consumes vegetables, pasta, and rice. A vegetarian might eat meatless spaghetti sauce or order onion rings in a restaurant. (Not the healthiest choice, but sometimes it's hard to find something to eat in a restaurant if you're vegetarian – even harder if you're a raw foodist.)

There are different categories of vegetarians, like vegans, or fruitarians, and raw foodist is a category of vegetarianism. We haven't seen anything about sushi being considered a raw food, but it is. Raw food, though, generally means eating raw, uncooked fruits, vegetables, dried fruits, seaweeds, etc.

But to be a raw food purist means raw broccoli, not steamed. To a vegetarian, someone committed to not eat meat or fish or animal products, steamed vegetables are just as good, although everyone would agree that steaming can take out nutrients from foods, rendering them less nutritious. A vegetarian might consume dairy or egg products; however a vegan will not consume any animal products at all. And a raw foodist is a vegan who consumes only uncooked, unprocessed raw foods. Proponents of the raw diet believe that enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food contains its own perfect mix. These enzymes help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own cocktail of digestive enzymes. It is also thought that the cooking process destroys vitamins and minerals and that cooked foods not only take longer to digest, but they also allow partially digested fats, proteins and carbohydrates to clog up our gut and arteries.

Followers of a raw diet cite numerous health benefits, including:

•    increased energy levels

•    improved appearance of skin

•    improved digestion

•    weight loss

•    reduced risk of heart disease

Running Raw: GLiving Interview

In this episode of the Running Raw Project: Tim is invited to do an interview for GLiving.tv

Differences Between Vegetarian and Raw Food Diets

There are a few distinct differences between vegetarian and raw food diets. Basically, a vegetarian is someone who is committed to not eat meat, fish, poultry or any animal products, but only consumes vegetables, pasta, and rice. On the other hand, a raw foodist is a vegetarian, but one who eats unprocessed, uncooked, organic, whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, nuts seeds, legumes, dried fruits, seaweeds, etc. It denotes a diet that is at least 75% uncooked! Raw foodist cooks very little and definitely doesn’t cook or process fruits and vegetables. Raw foodist simply eats them raw.

Raw foodist, vegans and frutarians are some of the different categories of vegetarians. Yes, raw foodist is a category of vegetarianism as mentioned earlier. However, to be a raw food purist, you should eat raw vegetables like raw broccoli, not steamed. To a vegetarian, who doesn’t eat meat or fish or any animal products, steamed vegetables are just as good, though every person would concur that steaming can take out nutrients from foods and turn them into less nutritious. A vegetarian might consume dairy or egg products but a vegan will not consume any animal products at all. The raw foodist then is a vegan who consumes only uncooked, unprocessed raw foods.

Enzymes are the life force of a food and that every food has its own perfect combination as believed by raw food diet advocates. These enzymes help us digest foods completely, without relying on our body to produce its own cocktail of digestive enzymes.

The cooking process is thought to destroy food enzymes. It can take so much of the basic nutritional value away. Other than that, cooked foods not only take any longer to digest, but they also let the partially digested fats, proteins and carbohydrates to block our gut and arteries.

Below are some health benefits cited by the raw diet followers:

• Improved digestion
• Increased energy levels
• Reduced risk of heart diseased
• Improved appearance of skin
• Weight loss