Ok, I may just be getting a bit too personal with this post. But stay with me here. I haven’t lost my mind completely. I guess I am just thoroughly excited about feeling amazingly healthy for the first time in my life. Part of my whole journey to becoming the EcoDiva in my own life has been my research in the world of beauty products, sustainable fashion choices and ethical companies to support.
Another path that I could not stay off of is the one that addresses the food on my table. So, even though I am veering off a bit from my regular product reviews, I feel that it is just as important to share my food journey as well. I strive to feed my family with as close to 100% organic food as possible. I am even more diligent with food choices due to allergies (per my last post), I am working on starting my own organic vegetable garden and I am on my personal path to a raw food lifestyle.
I will be sharing recipes, hints and my ups and downs with raw food in future posts…but today I wanted to share a little secret that I’ve discovered….(he he he).
Want a hint?? It has to do with BO!!! that’s right, body odor. One of the MAJOR, and most difficult changes I made on my EcoDiva journey was to give up my beloved commercial brand anti-perspirant/deodorant. I literally clutched it near and dear to my heart and refused to stink in the name of organic beauty. BUT, once I had my little ecobaby, I decided that the risks just were not worth it. According to NaturalNews.com and the research quoted in this source:
…the concentration of aluminum that has been the source for concern in the medical community, has prompted the research being done on Alzheimer’s disease and Breast Cancer victims. The human body has a few areas that it uses to purge toxins: Behind the knees, ears, groin area and armpits. The toxins are purged in the form of perspiration.
Antiperspirant, as the name clearly indicates, prevents you from perspiring, thereby inhibiting the body from purging toxins from below the armpits. These toxins do not magically disappear. Instead the body deposits them in the lymph nodes below the arms since it cannot sweat them out. This causes a high concentration of toxins that leads to cell mutation a.k.a. Cancer. Nearly all Breast Cancer tumors occur in the upper outside quadrant of the breast area. This is where lymph nodes are located.
Now that I had this information, I decided I did not want to take such a risk and switched to natural brands that did not have aluminum. I’ve tried them all and some work better than others. The trick is to try a few and figure out which works better with your personal body chemistry.
Now for my little secret. I have been eating about 75-80% raw for the last several months now. For the last few weeks, I have been eating between 90 and 100% raw. Besides feeling the amazing benefits emotionally, physically and even spiritually, I’ve discovered that I actually SMELL BETTER!! I remember reading this somewhere in my raw food research journey but brushed it off as simply one of those things. Now, I am a believer.
I hope you feel like you know me a bit better now. This NYC girl is raw, smelling great and loving it!
Enjoy!
Signing off…EcoDiva
p.s. I am not a doctor and am not recommending you radically change your diet…simply suggesting that adding more fruits, veggies and greens to your diet might make you happy healthy and even smell a little better than usual 
.
1st Image Credit: JP Puerta
Carrot and Persimmon Image Credit: ccharmon
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LOL, I can totally relate, Elena. Since transitioning to a raw unprocessed life 18 months ago, bye bye B.O. (well, except for a couple of weeks early on when it smelled like a skunk had taken up residence under my right armpit). I don’t even need a deodorant any longer. I still perspire, but no stink. ツ
Great post–I’m right there with ya. I made the switch about 20 years ago and once in a while I stink! Yaay! I’d rather stink sometimes than be building up cancers on the inside, it goes away in the shower, not a big deal. I’ve also noticed that people can stink plenty while using the traditional deodorants–worse because stink covered up with fragrance is pretty bad. And for me the fragrance is way worse than the stink.
Also, the more greens, the less stink–chlorophyll keeps you squeaky clean. Also does wonders for breath. Fabulous post, I completely believe that beauty comes from the inside out and will never come from a jar (though organic stuff in jars can be fun too). Good for you Eco Diva!
xoxo
Eco Mama
Eco Mama & Earth Mother,
This is one of the funniest but most amazing side benefits. Besides feeling better than I ever have, more energy, smooth skin…etc, the lack of BO is actually a great thing. I’ve always struggled with finding deodorants that work for ME. Now, I can relax about it…I even tried to get my hubby to take a snif & he looked at me like I had lost my mind. He simply took my word for it.
I can’t wait to share more of my raw journey, and thanks to you ladies for being part of my raw-diva tribe
)
Hey Elena,
This is a great post! Loved it
I’ve also experienced the fabulous benefit of no B.O. while clean eating (unprocessed, mostly raw – but not entirely, no sugar, no wheat, no dairy). It seems oftentimes body odor can get worse before it gets better while your body releases toxins and you clean out all the nasties, but after 3-6 months is when I really noticed it and was surprised when I realized I had gone days without applying deodorant. Its absolutely wonderful not to have to worry about under arm stinkage!!!
Thanks for sharing your journey
xo,
S
Stancie,
Isn’t it amazing? I’ve been off of refined foods, gluten, dairy and most soy for over a year now. I’ve felt better and better, my skin, my digestion all felt better than I have EVER! But the raw thing really made the biggest difference over the last several months. I’ve just noticed a more balanced mood, skin well…everything with eating raw.
Once I get a dehydrator, I feel like I can go 100% more consistently. For now, I’ll stick close to 100% and feel amazing
xo
E
I have a friend who has been raw for years. He has the most delicious natural smell. I just want to sniff him every time I see him!
Lisa…that is great!! Does he let you?
LOVE your headline — sure made me look! While I haven’t gone completely raw, I have been adding more fruits and veggies to my diet which is a huge step for me. So grateful that Seattle has a couple year-round farmer’s markets. I’m so happy for you and continue looking forward to following you on your journey! Cheers, Mandy
Thanks Mandy
I was inspired!
Seattle is the perfect place to try raw cuisine in style. There are 2 fabulous raw places you can go & check out – Thrive Raw Food and Chaco Canyon. They actually have classes and a wonderful community to help educate people on the amazing benefits of raw food for the environment and your health.
I stop at Thrive whenever I am in Seattle.
Let me know if you go…I’d love to hear what you think. Maybe we can meet their one day soon!!
XO
After reading this post, I WISH I was on the raw food kick. I have a questions, though:
1) How do you keep to the “raw” plan when you go out to eat? Or do you just not go out? LOL
2) Are there recipe books you can suggest for us beginners?
3) I’m allergic to all things peanut (including the oil), so is that easy to avoid in a raw food?
4) Where can I go to find out about Farmer’s Markets in my city?
Hi Celise,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful questions. Here are my answers:
1 – I am somewhat limited in where I go out to eat…but I was use to that with my gluten free diet. Raw eating out is actually not bad at all…most places have SOME sort of salad. I always ask for extra fresh veggies, skip the bread & croutons…etc. I have my local favorites for sure. Don’t be shy to ask for what you want.
2 – I do have some favorite recipe books. I love all of Ani Phyo’s books and love Rawmazing.com for her recipes & support. One that I just JUST found last week and have used daily is called: Raw Food – A Complete Guide for Every Meal of The Day – by Erica Palmcrantz and Irmela Lilja. The images are beautiful and the recipes are SO simple with easy ingredients and not much prep. An instant favorite!
Another great book in terms of learning about the detox that can happen with raw food are 2 books by Natalia Rose. You can check out her site, just google her name and you should find it pretty easily.
3 – I don’t use peanuts very often…I prefer almond, cashew and tahini butters. I don’t even use peanut oil. I don’t think that will be a problem for you.
4 – TWO great sites to start with are:
LocalHarvest.org and FarmersMarket.com – you should be able to find something local to you.
Good luck on your adventure. I’d love to hear about your journey.
i am still waiting to ditch the stink. i am still pretty stinky under there. although maybe it was worse before–i just finally switched to natural deoderant; i was clinging hard to it because of my BO. but bad BO runs in my family, so i suppose there are other factors at play.
i don’t know if i agree that seattle has the best raw places. i’d have to vote for boston and NYC above us.
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