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12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Dependency on Cooked Food
Why do we overeat time and time again? Why do we make poor diet choices while we want to be healthy? What makes losing weight so difficult? These and many other vital questions are addressed in 12 Steps to Raw Foods in an open and sincere dialogue. Based on the latest scientific research, Victoria Boutenko explains the numerous benefits of choosing a diet of fresh rather t...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
May 8th 2007
by North Atlantic Books
(first published October 2001)
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12 Steps to Raw Foods: How to End Your Addiction to Cooked Food by Victoria Boutenko
My husband and I met Victoria Boutenko in 2009 in Houston Texas. She was giving a lecture on "Eating Green Leaves." I wondered if Food could make you happy? So, I talked my husband into going to hear her lecture.
We arrived at what was called a "RAW POTLUCK" the story was so wild that I added a chapter in my book, "From Hollywood to God" By Kelly Granite Enck. The bottom line was we gave it a try and started eati...more
My husband and I met Victoria Boutenko in 2009 in Houston Texas. She was giving a lecture on "Eating Green Leaves." I wondered if Food could make you happy? So, I talked my husband into going to hear her lecture.
We arrived at what was called a "RAW POTLUCK" the story was so wild that I added a chapter in my book, "From Hollywood to God" By Kelly Granite Enck. The bottom line was we gave it a try and started eati...more
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I LOVED loved loved this book! It grips you from the start as she shares her family's journey to health. The author Victoria Boutenko, her husband Igor, and her two children were constantly sick, on the road of deathly ill. What finally did it was when her son age 6 at the time, was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. Having seen what the disease had done to extended family members, she sought to find what was best for him. So she started asking everyone who looked healthy what they did. She came ac...more
*Healthy addictions*
As you can tell from just reading the title of this book, it's on the extreme end of the raw food movement (i.e. "Go 100% raw or die!"). But, if you can take it with a grain of (raw Celtic sea) salt, there's actually a lot of good stuff in here for whatever percent raw you chose to go. In addition to containing some great and well-researched information on the health benefits eating raw (and yes, also on some of the toxic byproducts of cooking foods which you may rather not k...more
As you can tell from just reading the title of this book, it's on the extreme end of the raw food movement (i.e. "Go 100% raw or die!"). But, if you can take it with a grain of (raw Celtic sea) salt, there's actually a lot of good stuff in here for whatever percent raw you chose to go. In addition to containing some great and well-researched information on the health benefits eating raw (and yes, also on some of the toxic byproducts of cooking foods which you may rather not k...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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Hm. Big hm.
One thing that I find odd about all these raw food books - including this one - is that they condemn cooked food as toxic, which goes against my common sense. If that were so, no one who doesn't eat 100% raw would be healthy. This author even speaks of 'addiction', and if I go by her questionnare, I'm addicted to breathing, going to the toilet and drinking water, too. Sheesh, where to begin?
The explanations of what happens in health and disease and how the body reacts to cooked foods...more
One thing that I find odd about all these raw food books - including this one - is that they condemn cooked food as toxic, which goes against my common sense. If that were so, no one who doesn't eat 100% raw would be healthy. This author even speaks of 'addiction', and if I go by her questionnare, I'm addicted to breathing, going to the toilet and drinking water, too. Sheesh, where to begin?
The explanations of what happens in health and disease and how the body reacts to cooked foods...more
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Finding a raw foods book that isn't written by a zealot is a very difficult thing to do, and this one fits in quite nicely in my craaazy shelf. It starts off really well, the first couple of chapters are written in very practical terms. The author gives a very honest account at her horrid eating habits, but I can see that any change in diet would have probably saved her life. A brief historical account of human food consumption was very interesting and eye opening.
But then she went craaazy by s...more
But then she went craaazy by s...more
This book is extreme. This makes sense when you consider that the author's personal journey was born out of extreme illness. Her family needed to go %100 raw at the time that they did. The biggest takeaway for me is the need to incorporate more of these foods into a standard American diet before cancer or diabetes strike thereby incresing a sense personally responsible for our bodies and learning to trust ourselves. Blindly entrusting a healthcare provider who will only gain from chronic illness...more
I enjoyed this book. Some of her suggestions were kind of wacky but I liked the tone of the book. The author seemed very concerned with delivering the information in a methodical way. I can tell she learned from her mistakes on trying to force people to jump into the 100% raw diet right away, hence the reason she gives 12 powerful steps.
I don't think I could ever completely give up cooked food for more than a few weeks and the recipes in the back all included using a blender or dehydrator so I...more
I don't think I could ever completely give up cooked food for more than a few weeks and the recipes in the back all included using a blender or dehydrator so I...more
Jan 25, 2009
Emily Mellow
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
nutrition-health,
raw-foods
Well, we are doing it! I thought VB was kind of a nut when I saw one of her dvds, but this book has me convinced otherwise, and now we are going raw. She has some very compelling arguments, a simple plan, and just makes the whole thing very doable. We are not going to go 100% raw instantly, but we are slowly heading that way. And damn, if we are not feeling better already. The results are indeed quick. We basically have one mostly cooked meal a day, and try to have everything else, breakfast sna...more
Some of her ideas are waaaay out on a limb, but when she talks about food she makes a lot of sense. She starts by sharing the incredible story of her own family. She, her husband, and their two kids were all incredibly unhealthy -- her husband was literally about to eat himself to death -- and out of desperation they went raw and completely turned their health around. This book got me started on green smoothies and I have found much of what she says to be true. For example, adding greens, which...more
I started this book right when I got pregnant with Melissa. I ended up returning it to the library before reading all of it because I was so nauseous. I finally got around to reading it again and I'm glad I did! This book is not an instruction manual on eating raw; rather, it is informative and gives tools necessary to successfully change your diet.
The first section of the book is Why Raw Food? The author has an amazing understanding and appreciation for the human body. She does a great job expl...more
The first section of the book is Why Raw Food? The author has an amazing understanding and appreciation for the human body. She does a great job expl...more
How to love green smoothies. Quick, easy, nutritious, contain fiber (unlike juices). Helps to promote eating greens -- you'll supposedly want more greens after drinking smoothies for a while. Fresh is best, but can be made up to 3 days in advance.
1. become aware of the problem -- dependence on cooked food.
2. nourish the body to reduce cravings.
3. Acquire skills and equipment. Move through the 1) transitional stage, 2) salad stage, 3) whole foods stage. recommendations: vita-mix blender, champi...more
1. become aware of the problem -- dependence on cooked food.
2. nourish the body to reduce cravings.
3. Acquire skills and equipment. Move through the 1) transitional stage, 2) salad stage, 3) whole foods stage. recommendations: vita-mix blender, champi...more
This book was written because it worked for the Boutenko family. They were ill, changed their diets and are no longer ill, infact have noticed many positive changes. The raw diet could work for anyone but it is an extreme life change and I honestly believe Victoria has only researched and argues one side of food. I did enjoy the book, I thought it was very well presented and she had proof to back her points. However I will stick to a healthy diet that my body enjoys.
Here is another whole foods book I had to settle for. There were definitely some good and bad things about this book. I thought the author had some interesting info about the importance of raw food and the good it can do for your body. Her book was almost inspirational, everytime I read it I actually considered trying a 100% raw food diet (ha!). But some of her ideas are a bit extreme for my taste, and although she was motivating, I could never go 100% raw. I did try one of her recipes, and I mu...more
Brilliant book! It gives the reader not only the reasons, but the how-to go from cooked food to a raw food lifestyle. This book is very inspiring and yet gives enough facts that the logical reader is satisfied as well. It is a wonderful read, I found it very compelling and hard to put down once I started. The only thing that it is perhaps lacking is a few more raw food recipes for the reader. But overall one of my favorite books for a raw food lifestyle.
Started off okay but after the first couple of chapters where she tells of her family's story, it gets a bit whacky. Quite apart from the fact that her family seems to have a truly dreadful diet and any improvement would have probably had a beneficial effect, she then goes on to extol the virtues of sleeping in the open, on the floor, in the nude, ice-swimming etc etc. Then talks about people being addicted to food, hence the 12 steps. Not for me.
This was my first glimpse into the world of raw foods. I like the author and found the book easy and enjoyable to read. Her mother’s courage to turn their family life upside down to keep her young son off insulin is a beautiful story. I did not/do not intend to convert to raw food in any substantial way, but am already using valuable new insights and recipes I gained from this book to enhance my family’s lives and nutrition. I learned a lot about my own food addictions. Thank you Ms. Boutenko fo...more
I enjoyed reading this book. I had,of course,sought out the book to read more on the subject.
Isn’t it always interesting to read of the experiences and learnings of another person? While in certain places, Boutenko expresses thoughts that seem far removed from what we can imagine, it wasn’t off putting to me. I could sense in her words the passion with which she holds her life choice and which enthuses her to share it with the world.
Isn’t it always interesting to read of the experiences and learnings of another person? While in certain places, Boutenko expresses thoughts that seem far removed from what we can imagine, it wasn’t off putting to me. I could sense in her words the passion with which she holds her life choice and which enthuses her to share it with the world.
Great book! Excellent information on why raw food is good for you, and how to get started. I'll admit, I was expecting the 12 steps to be more of a start out with _____food, stock up on these essentials, sort of thing; it was really more of an AA style 12 step program. How to deal with cravings for cooked foods, emotional issues, and gaining support from friends and family. Not what I expected, or quite what I wanted, but still good info.
Easy and interesting book to ready.
So far I am back and forth between step one and two with a fridge full of vegetables.
The recipe for Green Spinach Soup is really yummy... reduce the jalapeno amount.
The author gets a little extreme when she talks about sleeping outside every night and going for ice cold polar bear swims. Each to their own.
She sites some great facts and really gets you motivated to start eating more raw foods.
My side note... some foods are not meant to be eaten raw, such as...more
So far I am back and forth between step one and two with a fridge full of vegetables.
The recipe for Green Spinach Soup is really yummy... reduce the jalapeno amount.
The author gets a little extreme when she talks about sleeping outside every night and going for ice cold polar bear swims. Each to their own.
She sites some great facts and really gets you motivated to start eating more raw foods.
My side note... some foods are not meant to be eaten raw, such as...more
Have not tried this diet but this book gave me plenty of food for thought. (pun intended). The personal story is compeling and makes the diet seem possible. The science and nutritional information was not well written. The recipies look great. I plan on trying a few soon. They are really simple to follow.
Now that I have wet my appitite for raw foods I hope to explore other books on the topic.
Now that I have wet my appitite for raw foods I hope to explore other books on the topic.
I don't know if I'll ever adopt a raw food diet, or many of the other lifestyle habits explained in this book, like polar bear swimming, or sleeping outside every night. However, I've also learned never to say never. I was a vegetarian for 3 years and I believe I waas healthier when I didn't eat meat. I would like to start eating healthier, and this book gives some excellent recipes and ideas. I also agree with many of the author's philosophies on life, human nature, and spirituality. Over all,...more
I'm not going raw, but reading this book did encourage me to stay mindful and vigilant about what my family and I eat. Every now and then I need the reminder that diet is very important to overall health, and therefore worth the time, money, and effort that it takes to stay on the health track in a very unhealthy food environment. Bring on the fruits, veggies, nuts and seeds.
Interesting premise that cooked food addiction is similar to other addictions such as alcohol or food, but I don't think it is so. My personal feeling is that the craving that people feel for cooked food, is because they often need what is in foods that are best eaten cooked, such as grains. Grains are part of every culture. I don't believe they can be omitted or used only occasionally, sprouted. They truly are the staff of life. That being said, I think it is important to base a large part of t...more
This may be a life-changing book for me. I read Diet for a New America almost 4 years ago. Now this. I'm intrigued by eating this way. It seems so true to myself plus true to our environment. Certainly Mother Earth would be happy. At the end of the book are a few of the author's recipes to try also. I need an Excalibur Dehydrator now!
Jul 05, 2010
Dinahmack1
is currently reading it
This book is brilliant in its simple presentation of the how and why people are addicted to white flour, sugar, meat, and cooked foods in general. For the first time, without judgment and with startling clarity, scientist Victoria Boutenko explains America and the worlds obsession with food.
I loved this book. Mainly for teaching me about green smoothies. I would say the step by step claim of the title is somewhat of an exaggeration though. I don't honestly feel like I gained 12 new innovative steps to end my addiction to cooked food. But, it's a great anecdotal reference to hear about Boutenko's journey to raw foods.
Many good tips for raw fooding. I liked her emphasis on green
smoothies. She uses lots of different kinds of greens, even
common weeds. The recipes are very interesting. Don't think
I am quite ready to go there 100%, but I will be doing daily
green smoothies whenever possible.
smoothies. She uses lots of different kinds of greens, even
common weeds. The recipes are very interesting. Don't think
I am quite ready to go there 100%, but I will be doing daily
green smoothies whenever possible.
I've become sold on the value of raw foods (other books), but this author annoyed me because the title of her book is wrong. She reveals that to stick with raw foods there is only really one way, dive in and go 100% raw, i.e. one step, not twelve.
I usually can't make it through non-fiction books but I felt this book was simple to read and very interesting. I love reading about food and how it effects our bodies, even though I hate cooking! Maybe that's why raw food is so appealing to me...
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| Raw Food | 1 | 6 | Jan 28, 2009 03:32pm |
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“I appreciate many wonderful and brilliant discoveries made by humanity during the years of the Industrial Revolution. Yet, the radical transformation of the human diet was rather destructive.”
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1 person liked it
“...In addition, there are millions of people in our world who are fortunate to have the availability of almost any food they like. I cannot find any reason for those people to continue consuming survival food (bread, sugar, meat, milk, and salt).”
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1 person liked it
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