I was very honored to be able to review my friend Penni Shelton’s new book Raw Food Cleanse. Penni runs Raw Food Rehab– a web-community that has helped me to lose almost 40 more pounds in my weight loss journey, this is what is on Penni’s blog- her explanation of Raw Food Rehab: Raw Food Rehab is a support community for those desiring to lose weight and/or renew health through embracing a diet rich in raw and living foods.. I first heard about Penni from Real Food Tulsa her blog. Penni’s book is published by Ulysses Press.
So let’s talk about this book. The full title “Raw Food Cleanse- Restore Health and Lose Weight by Eating Delicious, All-Natural Foods Instead of Starving Yourself”. I have read a lot of health books over the years and even more raw food books in the last year. I learned a lot from Penni’s book. She says in chapter 1- “Learning how to take charge of your own personal health and well-being and that of your loved ones, is just another facet of achieving optimum health.” I couldn’t agree more. Recently I have been asked about the secret of my success in losing 100 lbs. This quote from Penni is key. I had to learn to take charge of my own personal health. I had to educate myself. Already for me the book was off to a good start.
In true Vegan Club Style form- let’s take it chapter by chapter:

Ch 1- State Of Our World
This chapter is obvious- it covers the condition our world is in- health wise. I learned a lot that I didn’t know but she also confirmed some things I already believed. Confirmation is good. A little light bulb goes on, you have that aha moment.. That is why we are so sick.. I said to myself several times.

Ch 2- Our Human Condition- The Cause and Effect Of Our Toxic World
This chapter contains the Life Cleanse questionnaire so you can see where you are at. Where do you need to begin? I also learned a lot about the toxins in our environment. We should all be more aware about what is going on in our world. I am thankful to know more and in this new year I am purposed to do more to use less chemicals in my home- and I don’t use that much to begin with. There is always room for improvement. A lot of people don’t get that environmental toxins cause a lot of disease and sickness. All you have to do is look back to a time when the toxins were less- was there less illness, allergies and disease? Hmmm… something to think about.

Ch 3- What We Should Be Eating Now
Penni talks about how are bodies are reacting to the nutrient deficient foods were are feeding them. She covers the great lengths our bodies goes to protecting itself from the acidic foods we consume. She also talks about the Raw Food Cleanse focus foods and alkaline forming superfoods. I especially liked learning more about the chia seed and I have been consuming it daily.l

Ch 4 The Ultimate Raw Food Cleanse
There are 4 difference cleanses. You can start with the first one and work your way through all 4 or if you are further in your health journey you could start with one of the more intense cleanses.

• 3 Day Energy Boost
• 7 Day Rejuvenation
• 14 Day Deep Detox
• 28 Day Total Body Cleanse

Ch 5 Life Cleanse Recipes

Section 1- The Raw Food Cleanse Recipes
Juices:

• Get Lucky Green Juice
• Liquid Salad
• Spring Goodness
• Thai Green Transfusion

Smoothies:

• Wild Thing
• Chia Coconut Custard Shake
• Berry Bliss
• Exotic Endurance
• Lemon Rescue

Smart Cocktails:

• The Smart Cocktail
• Virgin Mary
• Razzle Dazzle

Ecstatic Elixers:

• Citrus-Basil Infusion
• Yerba Latte
• Rosie Rooibos
• Lemony Licorice

Dressings and Sauces:

• Cilantro Lime Dressing
• Thai Salad Dressing
• “Thousand Island”
• Raw Mustard

Spectacular Salads:

• Fiesta Salad
• Good Vibrations Salad
• Wild Greek Salad
• Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad
• Janine’s Pineapple Thai Salad
• Pineapple-Jalapeno Coleslaw

Soups:

• Market Fresh Tomato Soup
• Creamy Avocado Soup
• Tomatillo Salsa Verde
• Tabbouleh in a Bowl
• Thai Soup
• Balancing Broth

Side Dishes and Snacks

• Penni’s Patio Salsa
• The Best Guacamole
• Cashew Cheese
• Sun and Sea Pate
• Stacey Bradford’s Nacho Dip
• Beggin’ Strips
• Corn Tortilla Chips (I can’t wait to make these- the ingredients are on my grocery list)

Entrees:

• Simple Stuffed Mushrooms
• Sprouted Lentils with Greens and Pistachio Pesto
• Mushroom Alfredo Linguine
• Stuffed Bell Peppers
• Loaded Cucumbers
• Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce
• Garden Wrap
• Taco Salad Platter

Desserts:

• Almond Cacao Truffles
• Chia Seed Ice Cream
• Susan’s Delicious Raw Carrot Cake

Section 2- Maintaining Your Cleanse For Life
Juices:

• Juicy Pink
• Citrus Blast
• Clear and Calm
• Anemia Buster
• Liquid Sunshine
• Pure Vitality

Smoothies and Shakes:

• Protein Purifier
• Get Your Greens On
• Orange-Ango
• Supermodel Blend
• Penni-Colada
• Dreamsicle Shake
• Blue Moon
• Cacao Banana

Smart Cocktails:

• Melon Kiwi-tini
• Mint Julep
• Fuzzy Navel
• Blood Orange Raw Mojito
• Chocotini

Dressings and Sauces:

• The Mother Sauce
• Raw Ketchup
• Honey Lime Vinaigrette

Hearty Breakfast:

• Ruby’s Raw Cherry Granola
• Raw Morning Power Bars
• Katie’s Blueberry Crumble

Soups:

• Strawberry Cloud
• Ruby’s Smokin’ Hot Tomato Soup
• Indian Curry Silk
• Minestrone

Side Dishes, Salads and Snacks:

• Pesto Italiano
• Quinoa Tabbouleh with Pistachios
• White Bean Dip
• Wild Rice Salad
• Cheesy Broccoli and Cauliflower

Entrees:

• Homemade Chili-In-The-Raw
• Black Beans and Rice
• Andrea’s Awesome E.A.T. Sandwich
• Gracious Grain with Voluptuous Veggies

Desserts:

• Seasonal Fruit Crisp
• Pamela’s Key Lime Pie
• Decadent Chocomole
• Cacao Maca Ice Cream

Ch 6 Staying Detoxed in the Real World
In this chapter Penni asks you to ask yourself some questions to help you set some goals for yourself. Remember you must take control of your own health. If you have come this far and tackled some of the cleanses then you need to figure out how to keep your body detoxed. If you have lost weight then you need to figure out how to keep it off. This chapter helps you to figure out how you are going to do just that.

Ch 7 Life Practices for Ageless Health
9 plus tips to help you to obtain ageless health. You know those people, the ones that you either despise or look up to. The ones who always seem so healthy or look much younger than their age. I remember meeting Charlotte Gerson last summer. She is 82 years old. She is older than several of my family members but much healthier mentally and physically. She is one of those people. She is doing something everyday to keep herself healthy. It is more than just eating healthy and Penni covers that in this chapter.

Ch 8- Real Stories from Raw Food Superheroes
This chapter contains the testimonies of those 65 people who where are a part of the first Raw Food Cleanse Group- testing out the cleanses from this book and the recipes. It is very inspiring. I have had the chance to meet many of them through the Raw Food Rehab. They have been very supportive in my journey. I loved this chapter.

Finally the book is ended with a very good resource section listing several very good Natural Health websites and recommended You Tube channels. Helpful equipment and gadgets for your kitchen and raw food staples..

I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to take control of their health. It is not in your face “YOU HAVE TO BE 100% RAW!” Which is goes along with my own beliefs. It gives you the resources you need to be empowered in your own health journey.