Why eating a diet of primarily raw,
uncooked food is so important

When foods are heated above 118 degrees, natural enzymes that assist with digestion are damaged, reducing the body’s ability to utilize and absorb the nutrients from the food. This is why eating a diet that contains a significant amount of “raw” (uncooked) foods is so beneficial – you are receiving better quality nutrition from fruits, vegetables, and nuts when they are uncooked as opposed to cooked

Because a total raw food diet is difficult for many to maintain, we suggest striving for at least 50% to 80% raw food in your diet if at all possible.) Think big salads made from a variety of DARK greens, loaded with bell peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini and more.  Throw on some raw pine nuts, a few shavings of high quality cheese, some mushrooms, sprinkle the salad with balsamic vinegar and cold pressed olive oil, and top with a pinch of kosher or sea salt.  Yum!

A great and easy source for really sound nutritional advice is to read books on the "raw" food method of eating.   Whether you plan on eating mainly raw food or not, you will learn a lot about nutrition, and how you can substitute some of your current unhealthy favorite foods with better choices. 

Here's a great breakfast choice 
To make a delicious and protein packed bowl of cereal, you can chop germinated raw almonds into very small pieces, then add a spoonful of plain non-homogenized whole milk yogurt, a drizzle of natural maple syrup, some fresh fruit, (berries are really tasty with this cereal) and maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon, and then some coconut milk or non-homogenized whole milk for your liquid if desired.   It’s delicious!    Once they try it most people wouldn't switch back to boxed cereals for anything.   (I also add a spoonful of lecithin, and some wheat germ)
 
You can find recipes like this in many raw food cookbooks.  This cereal variation is from a breakfast granola recipe from the book: "Eating in the Raw: A beginner's Guide to Getting Slimmer, Feeling Healthier, and Looking Younger the Raw-Food Way", by Carol Alt.  This is an excellent book for people looking for nutritional information.
 
What are germinated almonds?
Germinated raw almonds also make a great snack food and they're packed with protein.  By germinating the almonds you are releasing the enzyme inhibitors in the nuts, giving them much greater protein value than the raw nut.  And they have a nice almost chewy consistency that most people like better than raw almonds.  To germinate any nuts simply put them in a bowl of water and store in the refrigerator.  Almonds take about 8 hours to germinate.   The term "germinate" makes them sound like they are turning to seed or something, when actually you are just soaking them in water.  They just get a little softer and have a richer taste.  Change the water every couple days and keep adding more nuts now and then to replenish them so you can keep an ongoing supply.  Kids love them and they're a fantastic substitute for chips!   Drain off the water and put them out at a party and see how fast they disappear. 

Raw food diets contain fewer bad vegetable oils (trans fat), and the benefits are a reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.