* What’s New: Fit On Raw on Facebook!

* Feature Article: How to Naturally Get Rid of and Prevent Fleas

Fit On Raw on Facebook!

Over the past year (yes, Fit On Raw is OVER one year old!), many of you have emailed me asking if I have an account on Facebook.

Some of you even found my personal account and sent me friend requests.  Unfortunately, I never use facebook so I just ignored the requests.

I’m sorry! If it makes you feel any better I’ve ignored many of my family’s requests, too.

Anyway, instead of using my personal account and friending you guys there, I’ve decided to jump on the band wagon and start a “Fit On Raw” fan page.  The great thing about the fan page is that I don’t have to friend you for you to gain access.  And if you want to add a comment, all you have to do is hit the “Like” button at the top of the page.

It also allows me to keep my crazy personal acquaintances away from my wonderfully raw readers.

So if you’d like to get in touch with me on Facebook, check out the Fit On Raw fan page here:

http://tinyurl.com/29chlbq

Or just click on the facebook icon over to the right.

Swayze

How to Naturally Get Rid of and Prevent Fleas

I love summer so much.  The warm weather.  The delicious fruits.  The itchy fleas…huh?!

AH @$#^!!!  FLEAS!!!

No big deal because I know a completely natural, safe, cheap, quick, and effective way to prevent AND destroy these horrible little devil bugs.

And if you remember my other devil bug article, you know I understand a thing or two about destroying bugs from below.

Prevention

I already talked about prevention in last Friday’s Diatomaceous Earth article, but I’ll quickly recap here:

Just spread or spray the DE over your yard, garden, and animals BEFORE flea season strikes (this may be all year long for hot and humid areas).

Easy!

Destruction

But what if you’ve already got a flea infestation in your home/on your pets?  There are a few steps that you need to take.

Don’t worry, it’s still pretty easy.

#1: Oil Bath

Not for you, silly, for your pets!

If you think your pets have fleas, you want to bath them in oil.  The oil helps to smother the fleas that are already there, as well as soothe the tender areas where your pets have been scratching and biting themselves.

First, take some oil – vegetable, canola, olive, coconut, all of these are fine – and rub into the animal’s coat.  The amount you need will depend upon the size of your pet.  You want their fur to be completely covered, minus the face of course.

Next, wash some of the excess oil away with water.  Your pet’s fur will be quite oily for a little while, but that’s okay.  You can bath them with a mild soap once the tiny fiends are gone to help break it up.

If you don’t have any pets, feel free to skip this step.

#2: Check Your Rooms For Infestation

If YOU are itching all over, then the fleas have likely taken a liking to your home.  Your next step is to start checking rooms in your house for the source(s).

If your pets brought the fleas in, then just check where your pets hang out!  For instance, the only places we’ve ever gotten fleas have been in our living room and my bedroom.  And these have only been in certain spots, exactly where my dog sleeps.

Otherwise, just go into a room and sit still for a while.  If you don’t feel itchy or like something is biting you after a few minutes, then there likely aren’t any fleas there.  If it is a big room, you’ll probably have to do this in multiple areas.

#3: Clean Your Clothing, Couches, and Carpets

Now that you know where the fleas are, it’s time to bring out the big guns and CLEAN HOUSE!

For any blankets, pillow cases, pieces of clothing, etc. that were in the infested areas, wash them in HOT water.  Once they’re finished drying, do NOT put them back until you’ve finished removing all of the fleas from the room.

For couches, chairs, and other upholstery that you cannot wash, a hand-held steamer works great.  Actually, I use my standard Shark Steam Cleaner (I’m sure you’ve seen the infomercials) that I bought at Costco.  Now they have a “portable steam pocket” model specifically for upholstery, small spaces, etc.

For carpets, start by thoroughly vacuuming the area.  Then be sure to seal up and throw away the vacuum bag, as the vacuumed-up fleas can breed there and re-infest your home.

#4: Use Your DE

If you have Diatomaceous Earth, generously spread the powder all over the infested area(s).  If you don’t have any DE, you can use a 1:1 mixture of baking soda and salt.  This works just as well to dehydrate the pesky demons, it just takes a little while longer to work than DE.

Now wait at least 2 days for DE and at least 4 days for the baking soda/salt mixture.  Try your best to avoid these areas completely during this time.  Then vacuum up everything and throw away the bag.

You can also use this method for your furniture if you have a hand-held vacuum to clean it up with once all the fleas are dead.  I just find the steaming method to be a bit easier.

#5: Are They Gone?

Now for the moment of truth: you need to check if the fleas are all gone.  Just go stay in the hopefully no longer infested area like you did before and wait.  If you feel no biting/itching after a few minutes, the fleas are gone.

CONGRATULATIONS!

If you still feel itchy, no big deal.  As long as you kept the area clear of any and all fabrics like I told you to, all you have to do is re-steam any upholstery and spread some more DE over the carpet.

If you didn’t, well then you’ve got to wash everything again.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

Some More Tips

• It’s a good idea to put some Diatomaceous Earth on your pets after their oil bath for extra insurance.  Once the fleas are gone, you should continue to spread the DE into their fur at least once a week to prevent another infestation.

• If you don’t have any pets and the fleas got in on their own, you should mix the DE with water and spray it around your doors, windowsills, and any other areas where bugs are likely to get in.  This is a good idea even if you do have pets.  You can never be too careful!

• Vacuum your carpets everyday for about a week once the fleas are gone to pick up any eggs that may be left behind.  For maintenance, aim for vacuuming at least once per week.  If you aren’t doing this already…

That’s It!

That’s all you need to do to get rid of fleas naturally.  It’s exactly what I did last summer and this summer to destroy the fleas on my pets and in my home.

And I could have easily prevented this year’s infestation by spraying the yard and my pets with DE, but I plumb forgot.  After this annoyingly itchy start to a sweet summer, I definitely won’t be forgetting again next year!

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

Today, I want to talk a little more about DE and why it is the best natural pest preventer on the market.

What is Diatomaceous Earth?

Here it is magnified 7000 times

DE is nothing more than the tiny fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of microscopic algae.  This is then ground up into a very fine powder and sold as “Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth.”

There is also a pool/filter grade DE, but this is highly toxic to humans and pets and definitely NOT the DE I’m referring to in this article.

How Does It Work?

You’re probably wondering how in the world a bunch of old, dried-up algae can destroy ANYTHING!

It’s pretty simple, actually:

When Diatomaceous Earth comes into contact with certain insects – like a disgusting, blood-sucking tick, for instance – its super sharp edges tear through the bug’s exoskeleton.  All of the water is then absorbed by the DE and the bug dies of dehydration.

No chemicals necessary so it’s safe enough to use around your house, in your garden, and even ON your pets as a non-poisonous pest control.

COOL!

How Do You Use DE?

It’s super easy.

For home/garden use, just spread the Diatomaceous Earth anywhere around your premises, paying special attention to dark, damp areas.  An even easier method is to mix the DE with water and spray the mixture using your hose (just like you would with plant fertilizers).

For pets, just rub the powder directly into their fur.  You can even put the DE into a spray bottle mixed with water and apply it that way, if you wish.

You should begin applying DE around your home/on your pets BEFORE the pest you’re trying to prevent starts showing up.  For ticks, fleas, ants, etc. this usually means mid-to-late spring.

If you already have a flea infestation, DE can help you get rid of it.  I’ll be talking about that more in a soon-to-come article.

Can You Eat It?

While some people DO eat Diatomaceous Earth (I think it’s used to “clean the colon” or something), this is not a practice I recommend.  There is just no need to consume the fossilized bodies of prehistoric algae.

If you are eating a low fat, high fruit raw vegan diet, your colon is doing just fine.

WORD OF CAUTION: No matter what you want to use Diatomaceous Earth for, make sure to purchase FOOD GRADE.  As I said, the stuff used to clean swimming pools is highly toxic.

Ho Much Does It Cost?

2.5 lbs for $11.50!

The best part is that this stuff is incredibly cheap.  You can buy a 50 POUND BAG for less than $30!  I bought 25 lbs of DE last summer and I’ve barely made a dent in it.

Does It Really Work?

Yes, it really does work.  I’ve had two flea infestations in my house and DE cleared it right up for me without any need for an exterminator.

No, I’m not being paid buy anyone to say that.  I just really think DE is a great product.  It destroys pests, it prevents them from coming back, and it’s completely non-toxic!

To think I used to put those horrible, poisonous flea and tick control products on my little furry friends.

*sigh*

Anyway, go buy some Diatomaceous Earth!

Go raw, be fit, and stay pest-free,

Swayze

P.S. I don’t get paid if you order a bag of food grade DE, but I DO get paid if you order a copy of my recipe e-book!

“Low Fat, Fruit Filled, High Fun Raw Recipes”

Low Fat, Fruit Filled, High Fun Raw Recipes

* Feature Article: Is Eating Organic BS?

* Your Questions Answered: Is Raw Chocolate Healthy?

Is Eating Organic BS?

Penn and Teller’s: BS

One of my very favorite shows on TV is Penn and Teller’s: Bulls**t.  It airs on Show Time and involves magician duo Penn and Teller calling “BS!” on various different hot button issues, from taxes to video game violence.

Each episode focuses on a particular topic and one that I watched recently centered on organic foods.

As someone who has supported the organic food movement for many years by purchasing organically grown produce, clothing, bathroom supplies, etc, I couldn’t wait to watch this episode.  I was expecting to school them both (by yelling at my TV in the comforts of my own living room, of course) on all the merits of going organic.

To my surprise, Penn and Teller schooled me!

That said, I think I have some important insights to add and will do so today by examining all 5 of the different components discussed in the show:

1. Environment
2. Pesticides
3. Nutrition
4. Taste
5. Small Business Farmers

Let’s start things off with benefits for the environment.

Environment

As I’m sure you know, one of the biggest reasons people give for buying organic foods is because it’s far better for the environment.

Penn & Teller

Growing organic actually requires MORE land than conventional, thus being less energy efficient.  Not only does the food itself require tons more land, but the livestock necessary for fertilizer (synthetic fertilizers are not allowed and so organic farmers must use animal manure) do as well.

My Comments

First, it depends upon the food being grown as well as the farm itself.  According to this article on organic farming from The Independent:

“The report for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs found “many” organic products had lower ecological impacts than conventional methods using fertilisers and pesticides. But academics at the Manchester Business School (MBS), who conducted the study, said that was counterbalanced by other organic foods – such as milk, tomatoes and chicken – which are significantly less energy efficient and can be more polluting than intensively-farmed equivalents.

Ken Green, professor of environmental management at MBS, who co-wrote the report, said: “You cannot say that all organic food is better for the environment than all food grown conventionally. If you look carefully at the amount of energy required to produce these foods you get a complicated picture. In some cases, the carbon footprint for organics is larger.”

This problem can easily be avoided by refraining from purchasing these organic foods.  Chicken and milk, whether organic or conventional, are not appropriate for humans anyway and conventional tomatoes – or, even better, local tomatoes – can be purchased instead.

Second, animal manure is not necessary for organic farming.  Even commercial farms can use what’s termed “green manures,” or manures comprised only of vegetable matter.

While this method does require land to grow the vegetation, it is still a much more environmentally friendly option (not to mention much more animal friendly as well) than relying upon animal feces.

For a very thorough article on “veganics,” or vegan-organic farming, click here.

Third, buying produce in season is another environmentally-friendly practice, as it requires more energy and resources to produce the crop out of season. This is a common practice for both conventional and organic growers so no matter which you purchase, make an effort to buy in season

Finally, if you really want to be environmentally friendly, there are three things you should do that have nothing to do with organic growing:

1. Don’t buy animal and animal by-products (e.g. milk, cheese, leather, etc.)
2. Don’t buy processed foods
3. Don’t cook.

You can find out more about the environmental benefits of consuming a low fat raw vegan diet by checking out my article here.

Pesticides

Another reason so many people support organic farming is because organic growers do not use pesticides, which are believed to be bad for both us and the environment.

Penn & Teller

Contrary to popular belief, organic farms DO use pesticides and preservatives.  And because they are not using synthetic, the farmers have to use even more  poisonous pesticides, some of which are even more dangerous to both us and the environment than synthetic.

Further, technology regarding farming has improved so much over the years that the synthetic pesticides today are perfectly safe for us.

My Comments

You may be completely surprised that organic farming also involves pesticide use.

Don’t worry, you are certainly not alone.  It was news to me, too!

The reason this still is not well-known is because the general public has always assumed that since the pesticides are natural, they must be perfectly safe to use.  However, as this 2007 NY Times article explains, the truth about natural pesticides has been known for quite a few years:

Dr. Ames was one of the early heroes of environmentalism. He invented the widely used Ames Test, which is a quick way to screen for potential carcinogens by seeing if a chemical causes mutations in bacteria. After he discovered that Tris, a flame-retardant in children’s pajamas, caused mutations in the Ames Test, he helped environmentalists three decades ago in their successful campaign to ban Tris — one of the early victories against synthetic chemicals.

But Dr. Ames began rethinking this war against synthetic chemicals after thousands of chemicals had been subjected to his test. He noticed that plenty of natural chemicals flunked the Ames test. He and Dr. Gold took a systematic look at the chemicals that had been tested on rodents. They found that about half of natural chemicals tested positive for carcinogencity, the same proportion as the synthetic chemicals. Fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices contained their own pesticides that caused cancer in rodents. The toxins were found in apples, bananas, beets, Brussel sprouts, collard greens, grapes, melons, oranges, parsley, peaches — the list went on and on.

Remember, poison ivy occurs in nature too.  Just because it’s natural does not mean it’s healthy!

As far as the comment that synthetic pesticide use is perfectly safe, I just don’t buy it.  Pesticides are poisons used to destroy insects and other organisms that harm the crop.  They are toxic substances not originally present in or on the food and we would not be consuming these substances in nature.

But don’t worry!  There are other options if you are worried about pesticide use:

First, source out farms that practice Non-Pesticidal Management (NPM).  This means that the farmers do not use synthetic OR natural pesticides, but instead rely on techniques to control the pest population.  Neem and Diotomaceaous Earth are two harmless products commonly used on NPM farms.

Second, wash your produce before you eat it.  There are many effective, yet harmless fruit and veggie washes available on the market.  Vermont Soap offers a very good one.

Part II Still To Come

Stay tuned for Part II of this article in a few days, where I’ll discuss nutrition, taste, benefits for the small farmer and conclude with the absolute best option for purchasing tasty, nutritious, environmentally responsible, pesticide-free, small farmer-friendly raw produce.

So until next time…

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

Jan asks,

I have been eating Xocai Healthy Chocolates (they are raw). I like them but they are expensive and I didn’t really notice any results. I’m just getting ready to order a supply because for two months’ supply I can get a free month. I am tempted. Is eating this Healthy Dark Chocolate a good thing, or haven’t you heard about it?

First, raw chocolate does not exist; there is no chocolate tree in nature.  There are cacao beans, which are the seeds of the cacao fruit, and these seeds are  heated and processed to create chocolate.  Without processing them, cacao beans are extremely bitter and inedible.

Second, chocolate is a stimulant.  The “energy boost” that people get after eating chocolate is really just the body working overtime to eliminate it.

The caffeine in coffee gives us the same results, which you can learn more about in my article here.

Hope that helps,

Swayze

* What’s New: My Experience with the “Other Side” of Raw

* Feature Article: Raw Foodists: The TRUE Green Goers

My Experience with the “Other Side” of Raw

Last Wednesday, I got the great opportunity to meet a couple of well-known raw foodists.  None other than Matt Monarch and his lovely wife Angela Stokes Monarch stopped by to lecture here in Memphis.

Matt Monarch & Angela Stokes

If you know anything about Matt and Angela, you know that their views on raw food are quite different from mine.  They advocate little fresh fruit, lots of greens, sprouts, dried fruit, dried nuts, supplements, enzymes, colonics, etc. It’s a very low calorie, low exercise, high expense, high maintenance, diet.

I definitely felt the urge to shout “NUH-UH!” quite a bit during the two talks.

None the less, I had a great time at the lecture for a couple of reasons.

First, I was able to meet a few local raw foodists.  While I am a member of the raw food meetup here in Memphis, I am not able to attend because I have class.  This lecture was on a different day so I was able to go.

This was cool because I do not know any raw foodists personally.  It was nice to talk to someone face-to-face about raw and not get the “wow, you’re nuts” look.

There was actually a gentleman there who had lost about 100lbs in one year after going raw.  He passed around a photo of himself before he went raw and you honestly could not tell that it was the same person.

That’s my raw inspiration for at least the next month!

Second, I was able to actually meet individuals from the “other side” of raw (i.e. the mainstream, low-fruit, high-fat crowd) and try to see things from their point of view.

To be brutally honest, this was impossible for me.  I just can’t see how “low-glycemic” dried Inca berries from a bag can compare to a fresh, tree-ripened peach or how a sodium bentonite cleanse is going to remove “years” of waste from inside my colon.

With that said, I was able to latch onto all of the similarities that both the low-fat and mainstream raw foodies share.  There’s the whole raw aspect, of course, but there is also the emphasis on vegan foods, local and organic foods, gradual transitioning, and environmental care.

Speaking of greening the environment…

Raw Foodists: The TRUE Green Goers

You know what really gets my goat?

Wastefulness.

I hate the thought of wasting time.  I hate the thought of wasting energy.  I even hate the thought of wasting food, which is actually one of the reasons I remained a binge eater for so long.

I love efficiency.

I love getting things done in a timely matter.  I love only using as much as I need.

And I LOVE a low fat raw food diet.

Where am I going with all this?

I really don’t consider myself an environmentalist.  I don’t petition for the polar bears and I don’t support the EPA.

I am currently taking a course on health and environmental justice and constantly feel at arms with my fellow classmates and their views on eco-responsibility.

And yet, I am the most environmentally conscious person I know!

Why?

Because I eat a raw food diet.

Cooking is NOT Environmentally Friendly

Because the topic has already been covered extensively, I’m not going to focus too much on meat and dairy consumption in regards to environmental efficacy.   Suffice it to say that the livestock industry has a profound effect on the earth’s trees, topsoil, and water supply.

If you have any doubts that world-wide meat consumption is completely inefficient and has devastating consequences for our environment, be sure to check out the link below:

Eat To Save The Environment?

Let’s consider a cooked vegan diet that excludes, meat, dairy and eggs and typically includes lots of grains, soy and other processed products as well as fruits and vegetables.

Not only is this seen by many as the healthiest of all diets, it is viewed as the most environmentally friendly way to eat as well.

But is this true?

Here’s an example of some of the damaging effects of grains on the environment from Grain Damage: Rethinking the High-Starch Diet by none other than Dr. Douglas Graham:

Modern grain farming has resulted in the loss of almost all of our topsoil.  What was sixteen feet of topsoil a century ago has been reduced to six inches or less on most of our farms.

And a little further on:

The following is a partial list of toxic chemicals used in the processing of grain.  How much residue from these chemicals remains in the grain itself, versus how much is simply dumped in concentrated form onto our top soil is of little consequence.  In either case, these chemicals end up polluting our bodies and the environment.

Mercury
Cyanide
Ammonium salts
Chlorine

(Each of the above, in high enough doses, can cause insanity or even death).

Flourine
Mineral oil
Allum

(These are high-potency toxins).

And we all know how much cooked vegans love their soy!  Here’s a quote from an article from 2004 on the effect of soy cultivation in Brazil:

Soy – at this moment – is the most important driver for deforestation, directly and indirectly,” says environmental analyst Jan Maarten Dros. “Directly because the cerrado is being converted from natural vegetation into soy fields. But indirectly, because in this region a lot of cattle farms are being replaced by soy farmers buying or renting land from cattle farmers.” This means, according to Dros’ 2003 WWF study on the impacts of soybean cultivation in Brazil, that the “cattle farmers tend to advance into new forest area, causing more deforestation.

*But that’s not all!*

Have you ever thought about all of the wasted materials that go into packaging these “environmentally responsible” foods?

Plastic, aluminum, steel, tin, cardboard, etc. are all used to contain prepared products such as oatmeal, granola, pasta, organic chips, gluten-free frozen foods, and the like.

*And we certainly cannot forget about cooking!*

All the heat used to bake, roast, grill, and steam vegetables.

All the water used to cook pasta, potatoes, rice etc.

By the way, do you know how much water it takes to boil a pound of pasta?  4-6 quarts.

That’s at least 1 GALLON of water!

The TRUE Green Goers

If you really want to be as efficient as possible, if you really want to go green, if you really want to do everything you can for Mother Earth, you can’t do much better than eating a healthy raw vegan diet.

The reasoning is quite simple.

The more whole, raw foods you consume, the less processed, packaged ingredients you buy and the less cooking methods you use.  The less processed, packaged ingredients you buy and the less cooking methods you use means less wasted materials and a healthier planet (not to mention a healthier you).

When I compare the amount of material and energy waste before I went raw to after, the results are quite astonishing.

Sure, I was eating a vegan diet and consuming lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, but I was also consuming packaged products everyday, such as oatmeal, sprouted bread, prepared juices, tofu, and lots of dried herbs and spices packaged in plastic bags and containers.

Plus, I ate a whole lot of brown rice and pasta that had to be boiled and a good amount of steamed and baked vegetables.

On the contrary, the foods that I consume now – fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds – require very little to no packaging at all.  In fact, my first two meals of bananas is just that…bananas!

No plastic wrap, no cardboard containers, no twisty ties, etc.  Just banana peels that can easily be composted for a lovely, eco-friendly home garden.

And all of this doesn’t even begin to consider the fact that I am no longer supporting destructive agricultural methods, while at the same time encouraging the growth of environmentally AND ecologically friendly fruit trees.

According to The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation:

Fruit trees heal the environment by cleaning the air, improving soil quality, preventing erosion, creating animal habitat, sustaining valuable water sources, and providing healthy nutrition.

And here’s another one from Grain Damage:

During the great floods of 1993, for example, millions of acres of grain crops were destroyed in the United States, while tree crops flourished.  Whereas grains crops lead to depletions and loss of precious topsoil, orchards pull their water and nutrients from deep down in the subsoil, assist in the building of topsoil, and aid in nutrient recycling.

Fruit and nut trees are durable, they protect the soil from erosion, and they encourage biodiversity.

Trees also act as grand air filters, causing particulate matter to fall to the ground.  As we replace fields of grains with orchards, we can expect our air to become cleaner, sweeter, and healthier for us.

Food for Thought

Here’s one last little bit of info from my main-man, Dr. D.

An acre of orchard will feed 250% more people than an acre of grain.

How’s that for efficiency?

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

* What’s New: Vibrant Living Expo

* Feature Article: How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in 3 Easy Steps

Vibrant Living Expo

Today is the last day of the Vibrant Living Expo, a weekend long raw food event in Fort Bragg.  Usually, I’m not particularly interested in these events.  From what I have heard, it’s mostly a bunch of raw food gurus pushing their supplements, superfoods, and other processed products.

However, I was very interested in the Vibrant Living Expo when I learned that both Dr. Douglas Graham AND Frederic Patenaude were scheduled speakers!  AND Dr. Graham had two outside events on all three days called “Walk This Way” and “It’s All Play” that sounded really fun.

But alas, I  was unable to attend this event.  However, I just learned about another option.  For $138, you can have access to video footage of all the speakers for the entire month of September!

This is the LAST DAY this offer is available.  Sorry I’m so slow on the uptake/update!

Just visit Vibrant Living Expo to register!

Now, on to this week’s article!  As lighthearted as this post is, fruit fly infestation is serious business.  If you don’t believe me, take a look at Sarah’s insane fruit fly invasion!  You’ll never look at another tiny insect the same way again.

Swayze

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in 3 Easy Steps

You come home from a long day at work, hungry and tired.  You go into your kitchen, full of beautiful and fragrant fruits.  You pick up a delicious looking mango, only to find that its underside is completely rotten.

But wait…what was that?  Is there something hovering around you?  Suddenly, you realize you are not alone…

*You Have Fruit Flies!*

Don’t panic!  There is a solution and it is relatively painless.  But first, let’s take a look at these fascinating little devils.

What are fruit flies?

Fruit flies, or Drosophilae melanogaster, are tiny two-winged insects.  They are brown in color with large red eyes and are only 3mm in length!

Fruit flies feed on alcohol and, despite their small size, have an excellent sense of smell.  A fruit fly can sense an overripe mango from several miles away.

This is actually how the fruit fly enters your home in the first place.  It senses the fermenting fruit, locates it, and then begins feeding and breading on and near the food.  Or it was already in or on the fruit when you bought it and took it home.

Fruit flies do *not* originate inside the food, as some people seem to think.

Fruit Fly: Friend or Foe?

As much as I love animals, and even some little insects, and do not wish to harm them, I do *not* like fruit flies.

They’re tiny and annoying.  One moment you are peacefully enjoying a delicious peach.  The next you are surrounded by tiny little devil bugs, all looking to steal a piece of some prime peachy real estate.

And because they are so small, it’s almost impossible to swat them away.  This becomes very frustrating very quickly.  You end up looking like a jackass, swinging your arms around your head as if in some crazy, fruit-induced rage.

Needless to say, I hate these little bugs.

3 Easy Steps to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

Thankfully, there are many different ways to win this bug battle.  The method I use is only 3 steps and doesn’t involve physical destruction on your part (i.e. crushing, smushing, smudging, etc.) of the fruit flies.

Actually, that might be pretty rewarding…

*Tools*

• Small bowl
• Plastic wrap
• Something sharp and pointy (i.e. knife, scissors, pencil, toothpick, etc.)
• Sweet and fragrant fruit scraps (melon works very well)

*Method*

• After you have successfully devoured some tasty fruit, put what’s left into the bowl.  You could also use beer, maple syrup, sugar water or honey…anything sweet and fragrant.
• Take the plastic wrap and place it tightly over the bowl.  You want it as tight as possible.
• With your pointy instrument, poke tiny holes all throughout the plastic wrap.

The bugs will be attracted by the sweet aroma and travel through the holes into the bowl.  Unbeknownst to them, there is no escape…

Muwhahahaha!!!!!!

Preventative Measures

To prevent these agents of aggravation from returning to your humble abode, all you have to do is remove the source.

The source, of course, is fermenting fruit.  Keep track of the raw foods in your house and check them daily for soft spots, mold, and the smell of alcohol.  If you encounter any of these, tie the offensive fruit up in a bag and put into an outdoor trashcan.

If you do happen to see some more fruit flies, you know what to do…

Muwhahahaha!!!!!!

P.S. How do you like the little fruit fly drawing?  It’s my brother’s handiwork and I think the devil horns and pitchfork are pretty accurate.  Then again, my hate for the fruit fly and my love for my little bro make me pretty biased.

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze