The Raw Vegan Network e-newsletter

March, 2005

Welcome to the first issue of the Raw Vegan Network e-newsletter.  This newsletter is for informational purposes only.  It is not intended for diagnosing, prescribing or healing.

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In this issue:

-Network Happenings

-In the News

-Health Tip

-Featured Network Member

-Favorite Recipes

-Recommended Reading

-Products

-Coming Attractions

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NETWORK HAPPENINGS

-Check out the new “member’s events” page at  www.therawvegannetwork.com/events.htm. It has the latest on what members are doing, such as raw food classes, retreats, raw food delivery, etc.

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IN THE NEWS

COX-2 INHIBITORS RECALL

Wired October 3, 2004

Senior Journal.com September 30, 2004

In a move that surprised and shook up many people - from patients to stock analysts -- Merck & Co. announced the withdrawal of the popular anti-inflammatory drug Vioxx from the market late last week due to a study that shows patients taking the drug face twice the risk of heart attack compared to those taking a placebo, especially those who had been taking the drug longer than 18 months.

Washington Post October 7, 2004

Since Vioxx's removal from the market, safety concerns on other drugs in its class, known as COX-2 inhibitors, have been raised.

Studies on the mechanics of COX-2 inhibitors have led researchers to believe that drugs like Celebrex will have similar adverse side effects and should be noted as "risky." In fact, some signs of increased cardiovascular risks have already been detected in clinical trials of COX-2 inhibitors.

USA Today December 9, 2004

Another Vioxx-like occurrence may be on the rise, as warnings about Pfizer's arthritis pain drug, Bextra, continue to mount.

According to a study of more than 1,500 patients who had previously undergone cardiac surgery, those who were treated for pain with Bextra were more likely to have heart and blood clotting problems than those who received no drug at all.

Associated problems included:

Stroke

Heart attack

Blood clots in the lung

Deep vein blood clots in the leg

Bextra is a cox-2 inhibitor, which is a class of painkillers that are popularly used due to their efficiency in treating arthritis pain and other ailments. Vioxx is also a cox-2 inhibitor and was pulled from the market due to the cardiovascular risks linked to taking the drug.

United Press International   Monday, January 17, 2005

 

PHILADELPHIA, Tenn., Jan 17, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Two University of Pennsylvania studies published Monday show how cyclooxygenases or COX enzymes affect patients' risk of cardiovascular events.

COX-2 drugs -- Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx -- have been linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

COX-2 also, however, brings about inflammation that occurs with arthritis. Inhibiting COX-2 gets rid of the inflammation and pain but the analysis showed it reduced the enzyme's heart protective factors, elevating risk.

Life Extension Magazine, February 2005

Arthritis Relief Without Vioxx, pgs 34-45

Last fall, doctors and patients were stunned by Merck’s voluntary worldwide withdrawal of its arthritis drug Vioxx (refecoxib) from the market. …millions of American had used the drug…estimated that Vioxx had caused 88,000-139,000 excess cases of heart attack and stroke… the COX-2 enzyme itself has been shown to facilitate the development and progression of certain cancers.  

Vioxx Reapproved by FDA Panel Members With Ties to Drug Companies

Ten of the 32 Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug advisers whose total votes favored the controversial painkillers Celebrex, Bextra and Vioxx had financial ties to the industry. According to public records and disclosures in medical journals, the 10 advisors had recently consulted with the drugs’ makers.

San Francisco Chronicle February 25, 2005

FDA painkiller panel advisers linked to pharmaceutical firms
10 members worked as paid consultants

Bloomberg February 26, 2005

FDA Says It Screened Merck, Pfizer Drug Panelists for Conflicts

Editor’s note: are you wondering how to reduce or eliminate arthritis naturally without prescriptions and over the counter drugs?

Experts such as Dr. Joseph Mercola (www.mercola.com) and Dr. Richard L. Becker, D.O. a practicing physician in north Texas (www.bioinnovations.net), are saying that a grain free, dairy free, sugar free diet of fruit and vegetables, is the key to preventing  and eliminating arthritis. 

According to experts, poor choices for arthritis suffers are foods that are high in arachidonic acid and saturated fat, that rank high on the glycemic index (raising blood sugars quickly), and that have a low ratio of calcium to phosphorus .  Foods to eliminate: red meats and organ meats, fried foods, egg yolks, white flour products (bread, rolls, cakes, cookies, donuts, etc.), white rice, soft drinks, fruit juices, sugary foods. 

Foods that are recommended:  Fresh fruit (especially citrus) and vegetables, flax oil, nuts and seeds.

The Raw Vegan Network promotes a lifestyle with a diet of raw fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds.  We recommend an exercise routine with cardio vascular exercises such as walking, bicycle riding and rebounding (all good to help reduce or eliminate arthritis). 

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HEALTH TIP

Juicing

Raw juices are for everybody.  Nutritionally, juice therapy is the healthiest thing you can do for your body.  Besides the natural distilled water in the juice, which is pure and unadulterated, you receive minerals, vitamins and trace element, all in their most natural, concentrated form.  And unlike cooked food, the nutrients found in juices retain their natural molecule structure, which the body recognizes instantly and puts to work immediately- without a lengthy digestion time.  You are ingesting live food, and no matter what state of health you are in, you will feel better.

There is scientific proof of cancer-fighting properties in fresh juices. Scientists have recently looked into the health effects of certain food substances and learned that cruciferous vegetables (those from the entire cabbage family), as well as tomatoes, spinach and carrots, contain important cancer inhibitors known as lycopene and alpha- and -beta-carotenes.  The European Journal of Nutrition

(issue 38, 1999), reports on a study conducted by researcher Dr. H. Muller.  In this study, 23 males were given a daily glass of fresh lycopene-rich tomato juice and an alpha and beta-carotene-rich carrot juice together with 10 grams of lutein-rich spinach powder.  The results showed a significant improvement of carotene concentration in the blood.  He concluded that a daily intake of fresh juice guarantees the cells an abundant supply of oxygen.

It is a well known fact that lack of oxygen on a cell level triggers the beginning of the cancer tumor.  Dr. Otto Warburg discovered this phenomenon in the 1930s, for which he received the Nobel Prize. 

Recent studies link heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis and many other degenerative diseases to an overload of animal protein in our diets.  Research concerning the link between excess animal protein and disease has shown the elimination of animal meat to be absolutely essential in the prevention and treatment of cancer.  A shift to a plant based diet with plenty of fresh, raw juices not only has significant improvements in health but often in total cures. 

Without enzymes there is no digestion.  It is true that the body produces enzymes on its own, but when we grow older our bodies make less and less digestive enzymes.  As we slow down, so does our digestion.  Lack of enzymes causes poor digestion, which in turn makes it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients from food intake.  In the long run, the immune system weakens and we become more susceptible to sickness and disease.  That is why it is important that we supply our bodies with more enzymes from raw juices.  Raw juices are in the blood stream within ten minutes after drinking, because the pulp is removed, so digestion is eliminated, and a greater amount of nutrients reaches the cell level.

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FEATURED NETWORK MEMBER

Living Raw & Loving It

Written by: Belinda M. Stinson-Head, Ph.D.

Raw Vegan Network Member - Decatur, GA.

BMStinson@aol.com

Imagine feeling great about life and having the peace of mind and the freedom to do what you want to do and be who you want to be. This is how I currently describe my life. I am truly thankful for the time I spent in Corporate America and the many opportunities provided me to grow, learn, travel and discover and be exposed to some of the finer things in life. For me, this included the discovery of good food and fine restaurants.

 Some years back, I made a conscious choice to become more mind, body, and spirit focused. I ate better (so I thought), took time to breathe, pray, meditate and be more in touch with nature and my higher self. It was only natural that I would eventually become part of the healing arts community.  What I learned very quickly is how we often lose sight of our own health while working hard to help others. That is exactly what I did on many occasions. After retiring from Corporate America, I continued to eat at the best of the best restaurants. For years, good food, and wine was a very important part of my life. Ordering from a menu was much easier than preparing meals at home. We ate out approximately six nights a week. My food of choice was salads, vegetables, lobster, salmon, shrimp, soft shell crabs etc. Good quality ice cream was also a high priority. I often commented how the food and ice cream was better than sex.  Everything changed in August 2004. I began to see things more clearly after having an accident while attending a family reunion in SC.  This definitely gave me think time.

The word purification kept coming to me. I didn’t want to believe that I was being lead to give up my favorite foods. Nor, did I feel that I had the strength or desire to let go of what I now termed as a serious habit (gluttony).

The other profound thing that occurred as I continued to meditate was a message that I was to help my daughter who was significantly overweight.  I realized that by helping my daughter, I would also be helping myself.  She is now 54 pounds lighter and continues to lose weight after going raw in October of 2004. Since September 13, 2004, I have let go 45 pounds, have clarity of thought, and a tremendous amount of energy.  It’s hard to believe that the raw/living lifestyle was not even on my radar screen this time last year. I was successful in rejecting any and all invitations extended by friends who wanted me to go on this journey with them.  After my accident, I decided that being a vegetarian was the way to go. Although I made modifications in my diet, I realized that I had to do more. I searched the internet, read testimonials and interviewed friends who had transitioned to the raw/living lifestyle. I reached out to people who reached back to me and supported me. I read every book that I could get my hands on.  I researched the raw/living diet lifestyle on the internet, listened to tapes, CD’s, DVD’s, and watched videos. I started buying and preparing organic foods and creating my own recipes.  All of my food looked and tasted as if it came from an upscale gourmet restaurant. I noticed that I was wiggling my toes again with enjoyment.

 I am a living spiritual being and now I only consume raw/living foods.  My spirit is alive, I am alive, and now my digestive system and what enters it is alive.  I feel good.  I am healthy. I am looking good and loving it. People tell me that I am glowing.  Raw and Living foods have changed my life.   I have introduced my husband, children, and grandchildren, friends and relatives to some of my raw food dishes. They are not completely raw but they are off to a good start.  Raw and Living foods have allowed me to help my family and friends realize the importance of good health, and well being. They know that by learning self care we can break the cycle of addiction, obesity and illness for generations to come.  This is the greatest gift that I can give to myself, my family and friends.

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FAVORITE RECIPES

Japanese Sesame Noodles

Belinda M. Stinson-Head, Raw Vegan Network member, Decatur, Georgia

Mung bean sprouts

Alfalfa Sprouts

Raw sesame seeds

Green onions (chopped finely)

Ginger powder

Onion powder & Garlic powder (if desired to taste)

Cayenne pepper (to taste)

Olive oil

Lime juice (squeezed over & mixed in with sprouts)

Nama Shoyu

Celtic sea salt (few grains, optional)

Agave nectar (couple drops, optional)

Combine all ingredients and enjoy! Light and filling.

Raw Apple Carrot Cake

Vickie Fisher, Raw Vegan Network member and owner, Wichita Falls, Texas

1-2 cups carrots (peeled and shredded)

4-6 apples (cored and shredded)

1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (divided in half)

1 cup packed dates (pitted and minced)

2-4 tsp cinnamon

¼-½ tsp nutmeg

Hand mix carrots, apples, ½ of the coconut, dates, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Grind mixed ingredients in food processor.

Firmly pack mixture in an 8 inch springform pan.

Top with remaining coconut and gently press into cake.

Chill for a couple of hours and remove from pan.

Will keep in refrigerator for up to 3 days

This recipe is from “Mostly Raw Recipes”  by Raw Vegan Network member and owner, Vickie Fisher, available at www.therawvegannetwork.com for only $14.95

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RECOMMENDED READING

Fresh Vegetables and Fruit Juices by Norman W. Walker

Juice Fasting & Detoxification by Steve Meyerowitz

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PRODUCTS

-The Raw Vegan Network is offering juicers, distillers and dehydrators for sale. Products are available at www.therawvegannetwork.com/products.htm .

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COMING ATTRACTIONS

-If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us at info@therawvegannetwork.com and we will try to include them in our questions and answers and letters to the editor sections.

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