Customer Reviews

The SimplyRaw Living Foods Detox Manual

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The SimplyRaw Living Food Detox Manual is a motivational read. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. After raiding the natural foods store to purchase the materials, I immediately was drawn to the kitchen to start experimenting. As a vegan, I tried "Raw" diets in the past and found that they did not work. I've read several other books, which included recipes or suggestions that typically required too many nuts and heavy foods as prime calorie sources, however, these foods tended to inhibit proper digestion.

Natasha's approach is fun (and delicious) and considers that an excess of oils/nuts can be an obstacle to feeling great. She has pages and pages of easy to make recipes. She also mentions alternatives for those with Candida (another ailment many of us grapple with).

Her writing is so supportive and encouraging. She stresses that this is a 28-day detox, not a "forever" program. However, I have found her approach to be one that I will continue even after the 28 days is complete. Granted, my diet was already 50% raw and full of sprouted foods prior to reading this book... so it wasn't a huge transition. I can see that this would be a greater adventure for someone on a standard North American diet, as he or she would likely receive much more dramatic improvement in their health. If I already feel this great... I can only imagine how amazing someone who currently eats processed foods, meats, and refined sugars will feel after this detox! In addition to recipes, there are also household and lifestyle tips that can help remove the toxins from your external surroundings. The book is surely a springboard to wellness.

I encourage anyone who just wants to be bold, improve their health/energy, and go on a 28-day culinary exploration to please implement this program!

Compact and comprehensive, SimplyRaw begins with a crash course in the live-foods lifestyle, followed by a 28-day detox program, "because you're committing to changing your diet, not for a lifetime but for a short period of time. Twenty-eight days is sufficient time to make a difference, and a short enough time not to overwhelm you." Kyssa covers much ground via a gradual approach that commences with a program rather than a flat-out fast, believing that it is more sustainable while allowing you to continue to live and work. SimplyRaw includes meal plans, 135 recipes, and ends with this La Rochefoucauld quote: "To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art."

While I have followed other detox regimens and juice fasts in the past, I like this plan far better than any others I've done. I appreciate her gradual approach; her advice to ease into the program by reducing one's intake of certain things before eliminating them completely at the beginning of the program is sage. For those new to Raw Foods, including lightly steamed veggies during the first week eases the transition and thereby increases the chances for success. And while I have not tried all of the recipes, I love how many she includes in the book. The variety makes a month long regimen much less daunting than the thought of a month of just salads. There are a number of recipes that I will continue to make after I am finished with the regimen (I'll freely admit that Rejuvelac will not be a regular part of my diet; I do like fermented grain beverages, but I've gotten so used to calling them 'beer'.) I also really appreciate the inclusion of dry brushing, meditation and other non-dietary aspects of detoxification. Not only do they contribute to the process, they are a good reminder that the process extends beyond just what we eat. I have recommended this regimen to several of my friends.

SimplyRaw does a SimplyWonderful job in first explaining how a raw food lifestyle is conducive to optimal health and then in showing how to adopt key elements of this lifestyle. Informative, engaging, and down-to-earth, SimplyRaw demystifies what raw food living is all about. Although the focus of the book is on the 28-day detox program, there's much to be had even if you decide not to do the detox---including a great overview of the benefits of raw food, and 135 practical, simple, and delicious recipes.

For the raw novice, this book is a great place to start; for the raw enthusiast, it's a great place to continue!

You know the feeling you get when you finally break down and clean out that "file drawer" in your desk that you have been avoiding? If you are like me, it's a feeling of great satisfaction and accomplishment. I have been putting off doing a good "detox" program for myself for a while even though I wanted to and knew I should... after reading Natasha's book and incorporating her suggestions I made a commitment and did it! And you know what? I have the same feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment as cleaning out the "file drawer" but better energy levels and less wear and tear on the paper shredder. Hey, I figure that if I'm going to be diligent about the oil changes on my car I should at least give my body the same courtesy.

Natasha Kyssa's "Simply Raw" has been my sole guide to transformation on a physical, mental, emotional & spiritual level. The book has practical and logical guidance with recipes that will change your way of eating forever. Once you complete the Simply Raw journey, you may not remain 100% raw but your will modify and improve your eating and lifestyle because once you feel as good as you do after following the principles of the Simply Raw Detox, there is no going back!

This book has some very good information, but it is delivered in an overcomplicated and rather intimidating way. If you have already experienced raw food eating you might learn something new, but novices should avoid this book and instead purchase 'The Raw Revolution' or 'The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw'.