Rating: 
Summary: Extremely motivational...
Review: If you were ever considering switching to a raw food diet, this might be the book to read. The author gives extremely convincing arguments, and is quite motivational in the process. Her 12 Steps to overcome cooked foods isn't too spectacular, but the information within the book is solid.I only have a few problems with this book. First one being that she doesn't site any references from where she got the information about cooked foods, mucus, and all of the info she drills into our heads throughout the book. While what she says may be 100% accurate, she fails to site the source of the information, as if she conducted laboratory studies herself. My second problem with the book, is that the author doesn't look too healthy. Her picture on the back shows that her skin is smooth and soft, her eyes bright, but her hair looks like it's basically lifeless. She also looks very old, and I know she can't be too old with 2 children living in the house. I always find information a little difficult to digest if the person giving it doesn't appear to be in radiant health. I will listen to what Gabriel Cousens has to say.. he's going on 60, and looks 35. All in all, this book is worth reading if you're sold on the benefits of raw food, and you need some motivation. It's very solid in that aspect.
Rating: 
Summary: A life changing event
Review: Ms. Victoria writes a convincing argument. I am one of those who likes to gather lots of information before comminting to a life style change. The author begins with providing one of the best rationale for going on a totatly raw food diet vs a cooked food diet. Conceptually, I had an idea of what she was talking about, having read some vegan and fasting books. What made this book immeditately garner my attention was a chart she has that shows the percentage-cooked food to raw food consumed vs the percentage of nutrition assimilated. The jump between 99% of your food consumed being raw and 100% of your food being raw is unreal. Read it. Fascinating. In addition the author points out how having a healthy body requires you have less food intake. Her son, a 16-year, goes snowboarding for 12 hours and takes two oranges to eat. And while his friends spend the day constantly eating, the habits the author's son has, allows him to consume more nutrients and perform better. Knowing how teenagers eat-this is an incredible approach. The remainder of the book adopts the AA approach to dealing with an addition of alcohol to the addition of cooked food. Many of us have tried to go raw, but it is hard to stick with, less than exciting to look forward to, and socially tough to deal with day in and day out. The author's 12-step approach seems to understand the pain levels we all go through and together, the 12 steps make the challenge seem more like a winnable fight. Each step makes you do some personal reflecting. Some of the steps include, living in harmony with no raw food folks, dealing with temptation, seeking more knowledge, recognizing you have an addiction, ect. I like the way the author thinks. Her logic doesn't make great leaps, and is easy to follow...rationale but enthusiastic. I wanted to buy her other book and hear more of her stories. Overall, I found the book fascinating, educational and motivation. Reading the book can be a life-changing event.
Rating:
Summary: Destined to be a Raw Classic!
Review: People make cooked foods addictive? You've
got to be kidding me! And yet, that's the nature
of denial. We hide from knowing (and experiencing)
reality to protect our fragile ego. That, my
friends, is the essence of this amazing book.
That most people would not consider cooked foods
addictive-like substances have probably never tried
to avoid them. And yet, if you try it for just one
day, or a week, or a month, etc. you can truly begin
to experience (if you choose) the exact nature of
your own internal conflicts; and why you're driven
to unhealthy actions (in this particular context).
Let's face it, people often avoid healthier actions,
whether it's trying to lose weight, stop procrastination,
quit destructive habits, form loving relationships, etc.
Why do our attempts to live healthier, happier lives
fail so often? Why do our attempts to be happy seem to (oftentimes) create such misery in our lives? Read this
book! It's a start towards understanding the pyschology
of trying to live in accordance with healthier
living, which includes a raw-food diet. It's also
an easy-to-read story written for a general,
audience. (If you're a nutritional scientist or
perpetual nitpicker, looking for countless raw facts,
data, and perpetual footnotes, then there are scores
of other books for you.) This book, on the other hand,
delves into important issues related to why people
cannot push themselves away from cooked foods. And
why we would want to: because they're not very
healthy (to varying degrees). Victoria addresses
such issues as why people seek out comfort foods
and unhealthy temptations, as well as how and why
people try to cover up their feelings in the process.
I consider this book a must-read for anyone trying
to give up destructive eating habits.
I also liked this book because healthy and happy
are interrelated! You don't really get one
without building upon other. They are mutually
inclusive. Inexorably linked. Victoria helps
teach the reader how to live a healthier life!
She discusses the nature of addiction to cooked
foods, how the loving support of others can help us
in times of need, and how we can each live a more
passionate, compassionate, and spiritual life. I
strongly recommend this book to anyone interested
in living a healthier, happier life.
And did I mention the this book's fabulous raw
recipes? You'll love them!
Thank you Victoria for helping bring more joy
into my life!
Rating:
Summary: This book is a GODSEND!!
Review: Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Victoria for writing this book!! For ANYONE who is interested in raw foods or health, 12 Steps to Raw Food is a must read! Victoria compassionately and humbly shows you how to ensure your success on a raw-food diet, and why your body will be in better health than you could ever imagine. She also includes some easy, tasty recipes. I used to struggle to eat 95% raw foods in our cooked-food world, but now I am staying 100% raw. I feel freedom and relief because I know how to stay successful. And to top it off, I feel great eating this way! The book is fast, easy reading. Whether you are already raw or just hearing about it for the first time, you will find immeasurable value from reading this book!
Rating:
Summary: Personal experience a plus
Review: The best thing a liked about 12 Steps to Raw is the author's using her own personal and family's experiences of going raw as a guide through the pages. I felt so very encouraged while reading it, that I am now attempting to eat raw for 3 months. I enjoyed Victoria's wit and many theories on human nature. Right from the start, the author does not claim to be an expert, but uses her own personal knowledge and her 8+ years of being raw and working with people striving to go raw. That in itself is more valuable than an author solely basing his or her knowledge on studies and information, AKA an "armchair rawetarian". The author has an 'all or nothing' mentality about being a raw foodest. She believes that if you are addicted to cooked food, you simply cannot stay raw unless you eat 100% raw all the time. She claims to have knowledge of many who were not 100% raw and would fall back deep into cooked food. It's hard to disagree with this, but also difficult for one to go 100% especially if he or she is the only one in his/her household doing so, or has a high social life with cooked food eaters. It does take a great deal of discipline and organization for a rawetarian to live in harmony with cooked food eaters, especially within the family. Victoria has been very fortunate to "go raw" with her entire family, and that kind of support I truly envy! This book is a rough first draft and does have some kinks to work out, such as using charts and graphs where some of the information was harder on the eyes, and some basic editing due to the author speaking in a second language, which was certainly not easy to do. Many of us cannot write a book in our primary language, yet this native Russian has completed this task on her own. I give this woman tremendous credit for undertaking this task. I highly recommend this book for anyone yearning to go raw and stay raw. It has proven to be very encouraging and inspirational, and I'm looking forward to reading the author's other book called "Raw Family".
Rating: 
Summary: Do you REALLY believe food can be addictive?
Review: Then this book is for you. However if you are logical and knowledgeable then you will have the wisdom to know that food is life abstaining and cooked foods are more readily available, and tempting. Not addictive. When I bought this book I was hoping for 12 steps to a raw kitchen. I eat raw and wanted easier steps to avoid the temptation to just grab a habit food, such as throwing a burger on the grill. I simply find this way of eating a radical change and not always easy. I was hoping for an easy guide to raw foods. This book states that eating cooked foods is like being addicted to drugs and how to overcome an addiction. Foolish.
Rating:
Summary: RAW AT LAST!!! This Book Makes It Possible!
Review: There are some great raw food books on the market now and one quickly becomes inspired to get rid of the pots and pans and embrace this healthy, life-enhancing diet. But of the few who actually take this step, the majority quickly relapse into our traditional, cooked food fare. Victoria Boutenko's book, 12 Steps to Raw Foods addresses the challenges that daunt us in making this dietary transition and provides inspiration and the tools needed to overcome them. Loosely based on AA's 12 Step program, Step One convincingly addresses the addictive nature of cooked food and the importance of acknowledging our own addicted status . Perhaps this sounds a bit far fetched since diets based on cooked foods are THE standard fare in most places on the planet (at least among humans!), and hence, above reproach. But that's precisely the problem with any "norm"--it goes dangerously unexamined! (Keep in mind that cancer, arthritis and other degenerative diseases are also the "norm" in our cooked food society.) The first part of the book outlines the most important underlying premises of the raw vegan diet: the enzyme factor; your own intuitive guidance system; our body's survival mechanism and the law of vital adjustment; rates of assimilation for diets of varying degrees of rawness; the true function and value of bacteria, parasites and other micro-organisms; detoxification as healing. These topics, clearly and simply presented, prepare us for Step Two, which states, "I believe that live vegan food is the most natural diet for a human being." Other challenges to be met are addressed in the program, including: avoiding temptation; examining the habit of meeting emotional needs with food; creating the support we need; equipping a raw kitchen; learning raw food preparation techniques; living in harmony with our cooked food family and friends; dealing with holidays, special occasions, and dining out, and MORE! I found it really helpful to raise my awareness of all the issues that are interwoven with my food choices! I love Victoria's straightforward and sincere style! Clearly it is her current mission in life to assist those who wish regain and maintain a high degree of health, vitality and spiritual awakening. She has been teaching raw food classes ever since she and her family healed themselves of debilitating diseases after adopting this lifestyle. But it was not until she incorporated this 12 Step approach into her teaching that her students were successful in making such a major dietary shift. With publication of this book, YOU can take advantage of this powerful approach! I'm glad I did!!
Rating:
Summary: Amazing book!
Review: This author is incredibly knowledgeable on the subject of the body and healing. I could not believe it. All the good information was overwhelming. It really helped me understand the body and sickness so much better. I would highly recommend it to everyone I know. In fact, I am thinking about getting a copy for everyone in my extended family. Thanks, Virginia, for taking the time to write this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book changed my family!
Review: This book changed my family! We own a health store in Utah and knew about raw food for a long time. But we could never make raw food our lifestyle. After we read the 12 steps to raw food book our family became all raw without any difficulties. I recommend this book for everyone who wants to be healthy.
Rating: 
Summary: Too religious....
Review: This book has more to do with the authors believs then with "facts" and expierences.
Id recommend something more professional especially for people that want to start eating raw.
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