I’ve been using Agave Nectar as a substitute for other sweeteners in the belief that it’s better for diabetes, due to it’s low GI. But a post on Facebook the other day blew this illusion out of the water.

The FB link took me here: http://www.foodrenegade.com/agave-nectar-good-or-bad/ and shocked me somewhat. So I asked my herbalist, who had the following to say:

Agave, when processed into agave syrup has the same problems as sugar, honey, corn syrup etc in that it has been heavily refined and consequently contains a considerably high glycemic load which is going to mess with your blood sugar. It can be upwards of 90% fructose!!!

In it’s unrefined form it is like a sweet water extracted from the agave plant and in that form has numerous health benefits. It’s the same old story of taking a wholefood and processing out of existence!

I really thought I was safe with Agave Nectar, but a quick trawl round and this is backed up everywhere.

Sometimes your quality of life can be heavily affected by the questions you ask, and Google is no exception in this.  Obviously you have to be extremely cautious when researching health issues on the internet, but there’s a lot of ‘food for thought’ so to speak. It would seem a forum post I found hits the nail on the head:

The only reason that it has a log GI is because the glycemic index measures only glucose and ignores fructose, so can sometimes be misleading.

So there you go – I think I’ll be sticking with the Stevia leaf in future.

In other news, I’m going to be starting a separate website for all this raw food and diabetes stuff in the next month or so, so watch this space.

Finally, how’s it going with the band? What can we look forward to?

As you know we have our own multi media studio at home,

http://uvp-productions.co.uk/

Sid constantly composes music and for the first time in over twenty years our band Rubella Ballet, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rubella-Ballet/138491775101?fref=ts

Will be releasing a new Album, Planet Punk, 15 new tracks on Vinyl & CD with a booklet. Also a new rubella ballet DVD to go with the album.

Due to recording and Sid recovering healing his infected leg ulcers we will only confirm playing Rebellion this year. Because if Sid can’t make it there are still lots of other bands playing.

Now I have finished Directing and making my documentary, She’s a Punk Rocker U.K. it’s on release. This is fb page of info. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shes-A-Punk-Rocker-UK/134866653210402?fref=ts

Or watch it for free & send donations or buy DVD for £10 inc postage to sidandzillah@hotmail.com.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z9VZjrTZ68

I still have a few interviews to do then Sid and I will be editing She’s a Punk Rocker part 2 Europe & America for release late this year.

I also have a interview on DVD that I did with Steve Ignorant of Crass, in the early 90’s. He has been talking to me about coming over to edit that and add more footage sometime this year.

I also want to make a Poly Styrene life tribute documentary as I have lots of unseen personal footage, interviews, rehearsals, funeral etc of Poly. But I miss her so much we had been friends for years we had holidays together and spoke every day on the phone if we hadn’t met up. Sometimes editing her life is too much so I put it on hold, but it must be done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KLfbIGDP4w

* * * * * * *

Sid Truelove

Finally, here’s something Sid wrote on Facebook in response to somebody talking about Vitamin B12 deficiency in vegans:

Great to see all the posts for this, Thanx to Pink Charlotte for dispelling the myth that only veggies and vegans are B12 deficient.

Thanx for all the suggestions to eat liver and bacon but I gave up meat and dairy 8 years ago and it repulses me to think of eating bacon or even worse liver so sorry Michael and I have never had hedgehog you nutter :0 but I bet you have eaten Horse recently without knowing it. Mmm Findus Lasagne.

Right now I believe any information provided by any Government source is done so to conform the mass decision we do require the killing of animals to maintain proper health.

It’s LIES, It is noted in history that before the days of Noah we were Vegetarians. All meat and dairy based sources of nutrition are tainted with bio engineering, anti biotics, growth hormones and a plethora of other toxins.

We are brainwashed into thinking we ‘NEED’ to eat meat the same way the pharmaceutical industry  brainwashes us to think we ‘NEED’ medications for this, prescriptions for that. So far I have stopped my cancers from getting worse , but  it wasn’t easy but I knew I had to make a change in my life if  I was to live.  “If you continue to drink and smoke cigarettes you will die” a good friend told me. 

So I gave up smoking which wasn’t easy as I was a chef and smoked about 40 a day on average and drinking 8 cans of Special Brew a night on a week day and polish off a case of Special Brew and a bottle of Southern Comfort and I can’t deny having hundreds of Jack & Jills during the rave scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEqfKfiNjzw&list=UU83-abEpfgK45f62Jtk0tUw&index=42 that’s me off my head coming up on two ‘Dennis the Menace” What a rush.

That’s what gave me the Leukemia in the first place. So those days are over and have got my life back. I don’t lose everything and break stuff, I not so moody because I consume vast quantities of Chlorophyll as it is a remarkably protective and cleansing compound. It can inhibit cancer in all human organs.

Chlorophyll is a vital part of all detoxification and health-building programs and a great source of B12. The National Cancer Institute has begun to take notice of its ability to prevent cancer. Detoxifying is essential for optimal health. When toxins are in our liver, brain, or other tissues and organs of the body, we age faster and have less health and vitality. Getting rid of toxins with powerful cleansers like chlorella helps us live longer, for toxins are a potent source of the free radicals which age us and cause disease. Chlorella appears particularly helpful at eliminating toxic metals like cadmium and uranium from the body. I also consume a lot of spirulina that contains vitamins B₁ (thiamine), B₂ (riboflavin), B₃ (nicotinamide), B₆ (pyridoxine), B₉ (folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E.^[7][13]

It is also a source of potassium, calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc.^[7][13]Spirulina contains many pigments which may be beneficial and bioavailable, including beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, chlorophyll-a, xanthophyll, echinenone, myxoxanthophyll, canthaxanthin, diatoxanthin, 3′-hydroxyechinenone, beta-cryptoxanthin and oscillaxanthin, plus the phycobiliproteinsc-phycocyanin and allophycocyanin

and is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), and also provides alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), stearidonic acid (SDA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA)

Also ‘Oceans Alive’ is a great source of B-12 available at Kate Magic’s site http://www.rawliving.eu/phytoplankton-1oz.html

Raw vegan food saved my life that’s all I can say.

Apart from the ulcers on my ankles, two forms of cancer and a degenerative back syndrome I’m fit as a fiddle on a good day.

What’s you set up equipment-wise? (Raw food muso question!!)

Essential equipment number 1 

So it’s not salad or juice all the time everyone needs a Dehydrator, make crisps, bread, crackers, burgers, cakes, dried fruit, pizza base, etc

http://www.rawliving.eu/equipment/excalibur-dehydrator-4-tray.html

Greenstar juicer, because it uses the exclusive stainless steel twin gear technology to extract more juice with a higher nutritional content compared to other juicers.  It also juices wheatgrass, which we grow. Also you can use it to make nut butters, Frozen banana or fruit ice cream.

Greenstar Juicer

http://www.greenstar.com/

After buying the greenstar juicer etc, we couldn’t stretch to a Vitamix so we bought a cheaper but professional food processor, which I use all the time it’s awesome BUT given the choice money now I would buy the vitamix.

http://www.rawliving.eu/equipment/vitamix-total-nutrition-centre-brushed-stainless.html

Nut milker juicing bag

http://www.rawliving.eu/equipment/nut-milk-juicing-bag-w20cm-x-d30cm.html

Or raw hemp milk maker, also uses nuts or seeds to make vegan milk, some juicers do this.

http://www.seemycells.co.uk/store/juicers-/-milk-makers/yaoh-raw-hemp-milk-maker/prod_27.html

Alf alfa , seed sprouter.

http://www.rawliving.eu/equipment/biosnacky-3-tier-sprouter.html

Are there any claims made by raw foodists that you disagree with? (ie is there anything to be wary of for those entering the raw world)?

Don’t think so.

My advice don’t eat just Salad or juice if you start to loose too much weight. Know how to make raw food nut butters, cheese, spreads, crackers, bread, snacks, kale chips, nut burgers, veg burgers (dehydrated)

Meat eaters, vegetarians & Vegans can all be B12 deficient but Vegans get this question all the time as meat eaters believe they are not affected.

http://bodyecology.com/articles/choose_best_probiotic_liquid.php

Sources of B12 include

Fermented vegetables, Nutritional yeast flakes, Chlorella, Spirulina, Marmite, Kale chips

http://www.red23.co.uk/Raw-Chessie-Purple-Corn-Kale-Chips-35g_p_1664.html

Also ‘Oceans Alive’ is a great source of B-12 available at Kate Magic’s site http://www.rawliving.eu/phytoplankton-1oz.html

Any mistakes you made that the rest of us can learn from?

Don’t give up on yourself we all make mistakes. We went 100% raw overnight BUT that was because of Sid’s diagnosis of Cancer. Also as Sid was a Chef & I was a Consultant we knew a lot about food & recipes. We also had the major bonus of personally knowing long time expert raw foodists.

Find out as much as you can and prepare yourself with the right equipment and food. If you are unsure I would probably suggest a gradual change to raw if you are doing it as a unhealthy person or do not have any support from a raw food friend. To begin make all food organic. Organic food is not sprayed with harmful chemicals that make you ill.

Also Quinoa is a good transitional food as you can eat it cooked or raw with salad. To eat it raw it should be sprouted by leaving in cold water till a little sprout or tail can be seen. Nutritional evaluations of quinoa indicate that it is a source of complete protein; it is a good source of dietary fibre and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is also a source of calcium, and thus is useful for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.

But really we did it overnight and anyone can, just make sure you know more about changing your diet to raw than thinking it’s about eating fruit, nuts, juices & salad. Most people don’t even use more than a couple of ingredients for their salads, try everything you can.

I use courgettes in strips mixed with a raw basil pesto to make a raw pesto spaghetti, topped with raw tomato sauce and a nut cheese sauce.

Nuts & or seeds  make cheese, cakes, crackers, biscuits, pesto, burgers etc.

Fruit also makes ice creams, sorbets, cakes, fruit leathers, etc.
Do you live completely raw?

Since 2006 we have been 100% raw initially to help Sid. But we have on occasions in that time since occasionally eaten something cooked.
(In the next post) I explain further what happens that stops Sid being 100% Raw. This is only ever a temporary situation, as Sid wants to stay raw as he feels and sees the benefits. Sometimes life situations get in the way preventing a perfect diet. It’s not like we do anything extreme like suddenly eating meat again. So we don’t make ourselves feel guilty we just return to eating raw as soon as we can.

There have also been times more recently as Sid is ill sometimes we have had no food or money and if there is nothing growing in the sprouter or garden and we have nothing to juice for food. We will eat cooked veg at a friend or relatives house. Eating raw is about making us healthy, well & happy, so we don’t feel guilty if we have to eat a cooked veg, we know we prefer raw and it’s benefits so we constantly adapt to our situation with the intention of being raw 100%.

Sid Truelove

How was it for you getting started?

Read books and met raw foodists as in the previous post.

We removed all food that needed cooking, sold old cooking equipment and bought new equipment such as Dehydrator, Nut milker, juicer, and sprouter. ( List in later post) 

Prepared lots of food for snacks such as raw dehydrated crackers, cakes, biscuits, bread, cheese, Kale crisps, cakes

Bought lots of airtight containers to store snacks and made chocolate.

For me it was good healthy food that tasted delicious, but for Sid it was/is also to save his life. So we also included detoxing,

Detoxing is really important a great way to do this is to read Donna Gates. Body Ecology, web site. It’s all to do with fermenting, probiotics, detoxing.

http://bodyecology.com/all-products.html

I buy Donna Gates products from RED23 http://www.red23.co.uk/

In East London where we live, or online. Our friend Graham has a warehouse of raw food, Donna Gates Probiotics, fermenting cultures and so much more including lots of good advice.

I buy the probiotic kefir culture mix and use it to make coconut water Kefir from jelly coconuts, fab drink, great detox and helped Sid stop alcohol. It also weans you from sugar addictions.  Coconut milk/water is really fantastic for blood cleansing balancing, as Sid has a blood cancer this has really helped. I also use the probiotic culture starters to make fermented veggies excellent for digestive problems etc. They can also be used with nuts to make fermented cheese.

Fermented Veggies also known as Sauerkraut

http://www.red23.co.uk/Cortido-Mediterranean-Sauerkraut-750g_p_1987.htm

Make your own fermented veggies using a culture starter,

http://www.red23.co.uk/Veggie-Culture-Starter-Single-Sachet_p_897.html

& Fermented coconut water Kefir.

http://www.red23.co.uk/Body-Ecology-Kefir-Starter-Single-Sachet_p_877.html

Some people also like the stevia calorie free sweetener.

raw food

We also use Super foods, Spirulina, Macca, Chlorella, wheat grass, Hemp, Chia seeds, sprouting, Oceans alive, marine phytoplankton. http://www.red23.co.uk/Foods-Superfoods_c_47.html & http://www.rawliving.eu/futurefoods.html

medicinal herbs this includes medicinal mushrooms, cordyceps, http://www.rawliving.eu/catalogsearch/result/?q=cordyceps

Detoxing also includes enemas Do it yourself  http://www.rawliving.eu/equipment/enema-bags.html

or attend one of the clinics for colonic irrigation.. The theory is cleaning the body of toxins that make you ill.

And various alternative treatments for Sid’s cure.

Colloidal silver, http://www.rawliving.eu/colloidal-silver-spray-higher-nature-100-ml.html

Blessed/ cure love intent live water, http://www.unitedearth.com.au/watercrystals.html

Light frequency waters, for various cures.

http://www.red23.co.uk/Light-Energised-Solutions_c_59.html

Parasite zappers, http://www.rawliving.eu/equipment/zapper-basic-don-croft.html

probiotics,

http://www.red23.co.uk/Probiotics-Cultured-Foods_c_42.html

We also researched and tried various smart supplements.

Hydergine http://enchantedmind.com/html/science/brain_food.html

DMAE, http://calorielab.com/news/2011/02/08/dmae/

5HPT, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan

Amiracetam.

http://smartdrugsforthought.com/what-is-aniracetam

Also soak all seeds and nuts reputed benefits include increased enzyme activity, greater absorption of the food’s nutrients by the body and increased digestibility. When soaked, nuts and seeds will begin the sprouting process, which ups their nutrient profile considerably. One of the reasons to eat raw food for health is life force of a living plant is beneficial soaking in water starts life process.

We also started to grow our own food and ran permaculture courses at our house with expert, Graham Burnett. Sid explains how permaculture and growing your own food in your own garden helps to improve health & happiness.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKTvpdsXokA