Check out the video below for my tips on picking a pineapple that’s ripe, sweet, and less acidic.

How to Pick a Ripe Pineapple

Got Any More Tips for Picking the Perfect Pineapple?

Let me know in the comments below!

Go raw and be fit,
Swayze

P.S. Looking for more tips and tricks for getting healthy and fit with raw foods? As a member of the Rawkin’ Raw Club, you’ll gain instant access to several bonus videos, one of which I call The R.A.W.K.I.N.G. Way to Go Raw.

“The Rawkin’ Raw Club”

Providing the Education, Motivation, & Support You Need to Go Raw, Get, Fit, & Live Naturally

In this 84-minute video, I’ll show you all you need to know to get started on the right raw food path. You’ll get answers to several burning questions like:

• What’s the problem with nuts and seeds?
• How much fat is too much?
• What about greens? How much do I need to eat?
• Should I worry about calories?
• What about exercise?

To learn more about this and everything else that comes with a Rawkin’ Raw membership, follow the link below:

==> www.RawkinRawClub.com 

And for even more on dealing with overwhelm and going raw, be sure to check out my recent article on decision fatigue.

Nerdage

I can’t believe I’m actually saying this out loud, but one of my favorite movies is Justice League: The New Frontier.  It’s an animated film that aired just last year on Cartoon Network.

If it helps my case at all, the film is rated PG-13.

Okay.  Go ahead and laugh.

Got it out of your system?  Good.

Now I’m sure you’re wondering what an animated action flick has to do with raw food, so let me explain.

Justice League: The New Frontier

Here is the synopsis of the film from the Warner Brothers site:

The New Frontier takes viewers on an action-packed adventure, exploring the origins of the Justice League.  DC Comics legends Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are all featured in the film as well as Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and The Flash – as they band together to form the legendary super team.  Strangers at first, these very different heroes must overcome fear and suspicion to forge an alliance against a monster so formidable, even the mighty Superman cannot stop it alone.  If they fail, the entire planet will be “cleansed” of humanity.

“Fear and suspicion” of the Justice League is really the focus of the entire film.  The movie is set during the Cold War and the Communist paranoia that defined this time is reflected in the government suspicion of anything “super.”

The antagonist in the film is this terrible force called “The Center” that is threatening to obliterate the human race.  Of course, the government would rather focus on perceived differences than band together with the Justice League and kick some mega-monster butt.

It is this fear of the unknown that leads to inaction, threatening to destroy the entire planet.

Fear Leads to Inaction

Have you ever been so afraid of something that you were “frozen with fear,” too fearful to act?  I know I have.  Just as it did in the Justice League film, fear used to play a large role in my life.

Except a giant, earth-destroying monster wasn’t at the root of my fear.  Nope.  It was much less terrifying than that.  As silly as it sounds, it was my own health and wellness.

When I first became interested in improving my health, I found myself pretty overwhelmed.  I knew how to exercise, but nutrition had me at such a loss.  There were just so many different doctors, dietitians, nutritionists, and lifestyle coaches and few of them seemed to agree with each other.

Instead of feeling in charge of my health, I felt defeated.  I didn’t think that I could ever know enough to truly take good care of myself.  There would always be some necessary piece of information that I was missing for a long, healthy life.

I realize that I was not alone in this fear.  Many people are so afraid of making decisions regarding their own health that they would rather give up all together.

That’s where modern medicine comes in.  When you don’t know what to do, where do you go?  Why, your local doctor, of course!  He (or she) will prescribe you with all kinds of costly drugs and supplements to make you all better and remove all your fears.

And don’t think the raw food movement is impervious to this fear!  Raw foodists are so afraid of deficiencies (i.e. protein, B12, vitamin D, iron,etc.) that it often keeps them at a standstill.  They are too fearful of their own nutritional needs that they end up not doing anything at all.

So where do the raw foodists turn?  Why, the raw food gurus, of course!  They will “prescribe” you all the pills, powders, and processed foods you can handle, all in the name of health.

And you don’t even have to lift a finger, except to punch in your credit card information.

Knowledge Leads to Action

Is this really the way to live?  Do you really want to rely on other people for something so personal as your own health and well-being?  Wouldn’t you rather be in complete control of every aspect of your life?

I know I would.  But what is the solution?

*Knowledge*

The rampant fear and suspicion exhibited in The New Frontier simply stems from a lack of knowledge…knowledge of the strange, knowledge of the new, and knowledge of the formidable.

It’s the same with the health movement, raw or not.

Think of it this way. A person who is looking to improve his health, but is not knowledgeable in that area will probably be too fearful to make decisions on his own.  It is very likely that he will turn to some “expert” who will charge him an arm and a leg for his “expert” services.

But what about the individual who understands basic health principles and is confident in his nutritional decisions?  Will that person be stricken with fear?  Will that person look for more “qualified” individuals to tell him how to live his life?

I don’t think so.

When I finally discovered low fat raw, I felt like a tremendous weight had been lifted off my shoulders.  I learned that I was in complete control of my nutrition and that I didn’t need doctors or gurus to tell me how to eat.

And it was all much more simple than I could have ever imagined!  I had always enjoyed raw fruit and so I found eating mountains of it both mind-boggling and exciting.

Come on, how fun is it to eat dessert for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

Take a Stand

You have to take a stand.  You have to educate yourself about health.  You cannot rely on so-called experts, within the raw food movement itself and outside of it.  You have to do the research on your own and learn from your own experiences.

Luckily, we now have the internet and so this learning process is much easier.  However, it also means that there is A LOT of inaccurate information out there that has to be sifted through.  It can be difficult at times to know which sources to listen to.

That’s what Fit On Raw is all about!  My intent has always been to provide solid, sound information in an easy-to-understand and useful format.  I try to sift through all of the junk and provide simple, practical guidelines that allow you to begin your health journey as soon as possible.

Hopefully I’m achieving this goal.

Final Thoughts

I couldn’t think of anything deep or meaningful to say, so I’ll just leave you with some profound quotes:

There is nothing to fear except the persistent refusal to find out the truth, the persistent refusal to analyze the causes of happenings. ~ Dorothy Thompson

Fear is not the natural state of civilized people. ~ Aung San Suu Kyi

Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive — the risk to be alive and express what we really are. ~ Don Miguel Ruiz

And my personal favorite:

Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is. ~ H. Jackson Brown

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

P.S. Finding it hard to put all that raw food know-how into action without some healthy and tasty recipes? Don’t worry, I’ve got ya covered…

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

Delicious and Healthy Raw Vegan Favorites for Every Meal

 www.fitonraw.com/low-fat-raw-vegan-favorites

To learn more about the book and order your copy, click below:

==> www.fitonraw.com/low-fat-raw-vegan-favorites

As a kid, I really loved watching “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” I bet you a million bucks that I have seen that movie close to twenty times!

Like many kids, my favorite scenes of the movie showcased the Oompa Loompas and their awesome songs. Whoever came up with those catchy tunes is a marketing genius!

Well, the movie was on TV not too long ago and I just had to watch it.  You know what I realized?

The Oompa Loompas Had It Right!

Check out these lyrics:

“What do you get when you guzzle down sweets;
Eating as much as an elephant eats.
What are you at getting terribly fat?
What do you think will come of that?
I don’t like the look of it.”

The Oompa Loompas sing this after the junk food lover Augustus Gloop falls into the chocolate river and gets sucked up the pipe.

The only thing I would change would be “sweets” to “yucky processed crap.” It doesn’t rhyme, but it makes the message crystal clear!

Are You Guilty of Guzzling Sweets?

So many Americans are addicted to sweets. And no wonder, when every holiday or tradition that is celebrated here is associated one way or another with sweets!

What do you give someone for Valentine’s Day? Chocolate. What do you take with you to a Christmas party? Candy and cookies.  What is expected at a Birthday party? Cake and ice cream.

And what about TV?  Did you know that the average American watches close to 4 hours of television per day? That’s about 24 3-minute commercial breaks, the majority of which are centered on food!

Of course, this isn’t healthy raw food that’s being advertised. It’s processed, fatty fast food. It’s nutrionally bankrupt frozen entrees. And let us not forget the candy, candy, and more candy!

All of which are brimming with refined sugar!

The Sweet Solution

What so many people just don’t understand is that the craving for sweets is not the issue. We all crave sweets because our natural diet is one high in simple carbohydrates. A high-carb diet is the diet that humans are anatomically designed to eat and so it is the diet that our bodies thrive on.

The issue arises in our attempt to manage these cravings. When we are hungry or looking for something sweet, many of us turn to refined products like cakes and cookies to satisfy our cravings. What we should be doing is turning to the best sweet tooth satisfier of all…fruit!

That’s right. If you treat your body right by eliminating (or at least reducing) processed junk from your diet and replacing it with lots of healthy sweet fruit, you will achieve amazing health results.

And because you are still eating “sweets,” you will no longer crave sugary junk food. It’s a win-win situation!

Where to Start?

That’s easy!  Simply replace some of your sweet food staples—like chocolate, cookies, or ice cream—with fresh, raw fruit.  This is an easy step that you can take *today* to beat your refined sugar addiction and get started on the raw food path.

So listen to your Oompa Loompa friends: stop gorging on junky sweets and get down with your fruity side.

Okay, I added that last bit.

Update 2011

Sadly, nothing much has changed in these past few years regarding Americans obsession with sweets. Parties, holidays, and commercials are still dominated by sugary, processed foods that please our taste buds but wreak havoc on our tummies and health.

Fortunately, the remedy is just the same: eat more fruit!

Oh, and since writing this article, I’ve probably watched Willy Wonka another 2-3 times. What can I say, I really love this movie!

Go raw and be fit,
Swayze

P.S. Cravings, the big “C” word. It’s the one thing every raw foodist is worried about and it’s the one thing every raw foodist has struggled with at some point in their journey to optimal health and happiness.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can (and should) be able to eat a raw food diet completely cravings-free. That’s why I offer my cravings crushing program…

“How to Conquer Your Cooked Food Cravings Once and for All”

A Guide for Destroying Cravings on a Raw Food Diet

www.CookedFoodCravings.com

To learn more about the program and order your copy today, click on the link below:

==> www.CookedFoodCravings.com

The following article was originally published during the summer of 2009. Unfortunately, too many people (raw gurus included) are still struggling with maintaining a 100% raw food diet. If that includes you, keep reading…

I have spent a good amount of my time on raw food forums over the past couple of years. It is a great way to learn about eating raw and to gather information from others who are thriving on the diet.

While visiting these forums, I have noticed a problem that is expressed over and over again by various members. Many people complain that they find it too difficult to stick to a raw food diet. They find themselves extremely hungry and experiencing cravings for cooked dishes on a regular basis.

And I’m not talking about brand new raw foodists. I’m talking about people who have been attempting a raw food diet for years and still can’t seem to stick with it!

So what’s the problem? Why is it that such a vast majority of raw foodists fail on a raw food diet?

Not enough calories, Too much fat

In general, the raw foodists I’m talking about are consuming lots of greens and vegetables, avocados, nuts, oils, dehydrated mixtures like flax seed crackers, some vinegars, and dried fruit.

Even though the raw foodists described above are eating large amounts of greens and other vegetables, these foods do not offer a substantial amount of calories.

Here’s an example…

Typical Salad without Overt Fats

A large salad of one pound of romaine lettuce, one medium red bell pepper, and one medium cucumber is only 153 calories. All of that food has less calories than just two bananas!

This is a problem because the average person needs between 2000-2500 calories a day. To eat that much food from romaine lettuce, you would need to eat 25 pounds (about 50 heads) of lettuce per day! This is completely impractical, not to mention rather unpleasant. My jaw aches just thinking about it!

We’ve now established that it’s nearly impossible to get enough calories from vegetables. While salads like this are high in volume, the satiation is short lived because the caloric needs are not being met.

So where do these raw foodists get their calories from?

Avocados, raw nuts and seeds, and cold-pressed olive oils.

To be precise, fat. These fatty foods are used to make dehydrated dishes like “raw” crackers, breads, and “mock” pizzas. They are also eaten on their own or put atop salads.

Let’s return to the salad example…

Typical Salad with Overt Fats

One pound of romaine, one medium bell pepper, and one medium cucumber is 153 calories. Now, add just one medium avocado and one tablespoon of olive oil. That takes the amount up to 561 calories!

The avocado and oil alone provide 2/3 of the total calories in this dish. Not only that, but the addition of the avocado and oil took the fat content from 10% to a staggering 61% of fat!

As you can see, it only takes a small amount of these foods (fatty fruits, nuts and seeds, and oils) to exceed your needed calories and fat content for the day.

Again, this is just one meal. Many raw foodists have two salads during their day and these are frequently even more fat laden (and contain far less nutritious greens) than the example I have shown above.

This does not even consider the popular complex, dehydrated recipes that are mostly comprised of high-fat nuts and seeds.

With this knowledge in mind, is it surprising that the average raw foodist consumes a whopping 60% of his or her calories from fat everyday? How many times have you come across raw foodists who claim to eat several avocados a day and handfuls of nuts in just one sitting?

Maybe this isn’t surprising, but it’s certainly unhealthy.

What’s the Alternative?

While greens and vegetable fruits are very important in a healthy raw diet, they simply do not provide the necessary calories to fill you up and combat cooked cravings. However, you do not have to get your calories from low-volume fatty foods.

You are not destined for raw food failure.

There is another way…

Sweet fruit

By eating substantial amounts of whole, raw, simple, delicious fruits, you will feel completely satiated and will no longer suffer from cooked food cravings. You will also get the absolute best nutrition available and fuel your body right.

And it’s so easy to get started!

If you still eat a cooked diet, simply replace your breakfast with as much fruit as you can eat and move on from there. If you already eat raw, just replace the majority of the fats you eat with sweet fruit.

If you are having a hard time getting enough calories from whole fruit, try blending them into tasty smoothies!

So put down the avocado, pick up an apple, and start succeeding on a raw diet today!

2011 Update

Even today, more than two years since I published the above article, crazy cravings are still the biggest problem within the raw food movement. And it still all boils down to far too much fat and too few fruits.

Just look at this ridiculously fatty raw bread recipe that I recently critiqued. I mean, over 80% of calories from fat? That’s just insane.

That said, I’m seeing more and more people giving the fruity raw way a go, often bypassing the high-fat raw way altogether! I couldn’t be happier.

Go raw and be fit,
Swayze

P.S. Still struggling with cravings on a raw food diet? Be sure to check out my cravings crushing program…

“How to Conquer Your Cooked Food Cravings Once and for All”

A Guide for Destroying Cravings on a Raw Food Diet

To learn more about the program and order your copy today, click on the link below:

==> www.CookedFoodCravings.com

Wait, you actually like stevia? What’s wrong with you?!

Just kidding.

But this does bring up an important question…

While I may not like stevia, does this no-calorie, super sweet herb have a place in a healthy raw food diet?

That’s the topic for today. But first, I have a quick question for you…

Are You Eating Enough Fruit?

If you’re having cravings for something sweet and that’s why you use stevia, you definitely aren’t.

I know, I know. You’re afraid of eating fruit because you’ve been told that it will lead to sustained high blood sugar levels and candida overgrowth, right?

The truth is, fruit is your friend. As long you keep your fat intake low, you can eat all the fruit you desire without having to worry about high blood sugar or candidiasis.

Don’t believe me? Check this out.

Oh yea, and fruit isn’t high glycemic either.

Now back to stevia…

What is Stevia?

Stevia is a South American herb used throughout the world as a sugar substitute. The taste is very sweet, but there’s often a licorice-like aftertaste that many people find unappealing (myself included).

Stevia is popular among raw and cooked food feasters alike for being zero-calorie and low-glycemic (even though raw fruit is too). You can grow your own stevia plants or purchase the leaves in dried, powdered, or liquid forms.

Is Stevia Raw?

It depends. The fresh leaves certainly are. The next best option would be the dried leaves or the whole powders, which are just the dried leaves ground up.

Then there are the extracts and liquids. Most of these, including many of the brands sold in supermarkets, are highly processed (definitely not raw) and contain additives like sugar alcohols and “natural flavors”.

If you wish to use stevia, choose the fresh leaves, dried leaves, or whole powders.

Should I Eat Stevia?

If you like a little fresh or dried stevia in your raw dishes, I say go for it. It’s really no different than using a couple of dried dates or a teaspoon or two of raw agave to sweeten up a recipe.

Now, do you need stevia? Nope, even if you’re a diabetic. Remember, fruit is your friend as long as fat intake is kept to a minimum. And if you’re having cravings for sweets, you likely aren’t eating enough fruit.

As I already mentioned, I don’t like the taste of stevia at all. It’s way too sweet and the licorice/anise aftertaste is just gross.

But then again, I don’t like raw honey or agave nectar either. Honey is too sweet and agave has a chemically taste that I don’t like.

Whenever I need to add a little sweetness to a savory raw recipe—like my Salty Salt-Free Salsa or one of Roger’s Savory Veggie Stews—I choose dates or apples. I find that they add great flavor without changing the texture of the dish.

Your Thoughts?

Do you think stevia is as yuck-tastic as I do? What about other sweeteners like agave and honey?

Leave your comments below!

Go raw and be fit,

Swayze

P.S. Looking for delicious and healthy raw recipes that will naturally tame your sugar cravings? Look no further than my 100% raw and fruity recipe e-book…

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

Delicious and Healthy Raw Vegan Favorites for Every Meal

www.fitonraw.com/low-fat-raw-vegan-favorites

To learn more about the book and order your copy, click below:

==> www.fitonraw.com/low-fat-raw-vegan-favorites