Hi Irene,

Welcome.

Irene King wrote:

> I've been told that when fighting the diseases of modern civilization
> (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.), one **must** adhere to a
> raw-food vegan diet. Yet I see many on the list enjoy raw animal foods
> as well.  Is there I place where I can go to get more information on
> this?  I'd really like to hear stories on how people started doing this
> and how their bodies responded to it.

I have to say I think it is nonsense to say that anyone must adhere to a
raw-food vegan diet for good health.  I think that type of diet can help
certain conditions but that it is nutritionally deficient in some ways
in the long run.

Regarding flesh foods, I have eaten raw fish for over 20 years.  That
began for me as a part of being an American of Asian descent and having
Japanese friends who introduced me to sashimi (Japanese styled raw
fish).  In fact that was my dinner tonight at a restaurant - bass,
yellowtail, butterfish and sardine - all raw.  After such a delicious
meal I cannot even imagine eating these cooked.  On the other hand I
don't think eating them cooked is particularly unhealthy - I just prefer
the  taste of raw fish over cooked.

I am also a natural healer by profession and normally advise people to
eat mostly but not all raw, and mostly but not all vegan, at least to
start out with if they are injured, sick or unwell.  However, some
cooked foods have specific healing qualities in my experience, as do
some non-vegan foods, and also raw fresh flesh foods.

regards

roberta