Raw and "Living Food"

I learned about the Raw and Living Food Movements in the early nineties.  I was living in San Francisco at the time and had gone to an Expo which featured natural and holistic products and services.  This is where I came across the teachings of Ann Wigmore and "Living Foods."  I began to incorporate more and more raw food into my diet at that time.  The basic teachings describe "Life force" and enzymes present in food that has not been heated (at least not above 110 degrees Fahrenheit).  At the time, I suffered from extreme acne, for which western medical doctors had been prescribing me antibiotics for several years, with little noticeable improvement.  By that point, I had stopped the antibiotics and was certainly open to dietary change.  I joined a support group in San Francisco, at that time (1991) called The San Francisco Living Foods Support Group, which held monthly raw potlucks.   I just googled them and was pleased to see they are still in existence, with a new name and if you are in the San Francisco Bay area, you can find them on-line at http://www.living-foods.com/sflife/.  At that time, I was introduced to Ann Wigmore's older books and began reading The Sprouting Book. Fascinated by what I was reading, and after learning that  The Ann Wigmore Foundation (previously known as  Hippocrates Health Institute) was in Boston, Massachusetts, I made plans to come east to attend a two week training.  I was 24 years old and I consider this a turning point in my life.

After the two week course ended, I stayed on, joining the staff for about 9 months, continuing my learning and gaining more experience with "The Living Food Lifestyle."   I left the Foundation for some time and returned again in 1992, staying on as staff for about one year, this time teaching classes and for part of my time, running the kitchen.  So my knowledge base broadened.  Unfortunately, a bit more than a month after I left the Foundation, in February of 1994, there was a fire at the Foundation, which  took the life of Ann Wigmore, the founder and mentor.  The manager at the time relocated The Ann Wigmore Foundation to San Fidel, New Mexico.  Just recently I googled The Ann Wimore Foundation and they are still teaching classes there!  If you are interested, they are on-line at http://www.wigmore.org/.  And still in existence, though I have yet to visit, is The Ann Wigmore Institute, in Puerto Rico.   You can check out their website at http://annwigmore.org/.  Of course, after the death of the founder, it is unclear without visiting, how things may have changed over the years in the teachings,  as there is no longer the one who created the movement there to say, "No, do it this way...."  Perhaps one day I will visit and see......

But I am advised blogs that are too long do not get read, so I must conclude soon and tell you more specifics about eating more raw and living  food tomorrow.  But in a nut shell, so to speak, the foods consumed are plant based with the exception for some of raw honey.  Fruits and vegetables are used raw, at times incorporated into smoothies or raw soups, and beans and grains are sprouted prior to consumption.  Seeds and nuts are generally soaked and rinsed  prior to eating or use.  Want to know  why?  And learn more, plus some  recipes from "The Good Ol' Days?"  Check back tomorrow, when I will share some of my favorite memorized recipes, that 21 years have still not erased..... Until then I wish you a glorious day!