What are Living and Raw Foods? Raw and Living Foods are foods that contain enzymes. In general, the act of heating  food over 116  degrees F destroys enzymes in food. (Enzymes start to degrade in as little as 106 degrees F).  All cooked food is devoid of enzymes, furthermore cooking food changes the molecular structure of the food and renders it toxic.  Living and raw foods also have enormously higher nutrient values than the foods that have been cooked. Why are Enzymes Important? Enzymes are important because they assist in the digestion and absorption of food.   If you eat food that is enzyme-less, your body will not get maximum utilization of the food. This causes toxicity in the body.   (Can you guess why over 75% of Americans are overweight?) A raw food diet includes: all raw fruits and vegetables nuts and seeds sprouts roots, root vegetables and squashes fresh herbs and raw spices seaweeds The raw foods diet includes these foods in their unprocessed and uncooked state and omits most other foods. Why would someone want to eat a raw and living foods diet? There are many reasons why people eat a raw and living foods diet. Health: Persons embracing this type of diet invariably experience improvements in their general physical and mental status, including more energy, better health, more energy, weight loss, detoxification, and a sturdier immune system that better resists and recovers from just about any kind of disease... and the list goes on... Energy efficiency: Since you no longer have to cook, you don't waste electricity, and save the environment. Since you eat organic agriculture, you help to save the planet. Most become more in-tune with their body; many report definite spiritual improvements. No animal products are used, so the animals appreciate it.