“Let’s talk first about food. In order to create the inflow necessary for health it is simply necessary to eat food. Real food, that is. Eating real food–naturally- occurring, unprocessed, so-called ‘organic’ fruits and vegetables that humans were meant to consume– nourishes the body, gives it what it needs to stay in balance, replenishes what is lost, and aids the elimination of waste quickly enough to avoid internal toxicity.”

“Makes sense,” I said.

“The challenge, however, is that very few of us have a working definition of what real food is. So, first let’s dispel a few misunderstandings.

“Just because something can be put in your mouth, chewed and swallowed does not make it food.”

I smiled.

“Just because something is sold in a supermarket or restaurant does not make it food.”

Ain’t that the truth, I thought to myself.

“Just because something tastes good, does not make it food.”

There went 90% of my diet right there.

“And finally, just because something is referred to as food by a great number of people, does not make it food.

“Here’s a short list of things people put inside themselves that are not food: milk, butter, eggs, cheese, chicken, all dead meats, processed sugar and salt, all foods with artificial flavor, preservatives or color of any kind, alcohol, cigarette smoke, sodas, fried foods, hybrid rice and wheat products, processed white flour, decaffeinated coffee and genetically modified foods. The unfortunate thing is that this list comprises 90% of what the average person in our society consumes.”

“So what can we eat?” I ask. “What’s left? Nuts and berries?”

“Remember, nature is perfect and foolproof, right? Therefore, the presumption is that everything that the body ever has or ever will require for sustenance has always existed and was provided at the beginning.”

“So how do we know what was here at the beginning?” I asked.

“The answer to everything is in what I call the Original Scene, my friend. So to answer your question, let’s do a little exercise in observation. Close your eyes. Now picture a landscape without supermarkets, delicatessens, restaurants, hot dog stands or vending machines. What do you have left?”

“Starbucks,” I said jokingly.

“Focus, my friend,” the Adept said.

“Grass and trees,” I said.

“Anything else?” asked the Adept.

“The sky?” I said.

“Anything else?” he asked again.

“Rivers, mountains, flowers…”

“And…?”

“Animals, birds, fish. Stones, rocks,” I continued.

“Anything else? Look in the ground, on the plants and on the trees.”

“Oh, fruits, vegetables, nuts,” I said.

“Good, you’ve described just about everything that existed in nature’s perfection. You’ve just described real food.”

“I’m confused,” I said. “That’s what I eat now. I eat fruits. I eat vegetables, nuts, seeds. But I’m still sick. And so is everyone I know. What am I doing wrong? Are you telling me I’m eating them wrong?”

“In a way, yes,” the Adept said. “Let’s go back to our scene. Close your eyes again.”

“Now, imagine that you’re hungry. Walk over to a fruit tree and pick the fruit. You’ll notice that there are no cans, no boxes, no preservatives, no concentrates, no pasteurization vats, no other processes or people in- between you and your food.”

“I got that.”

“Now, reach into the ground and pull out a carrot.”

“Ok. Got it.”

“If you place this carrot in the ground, will it sprout?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“If you steam it, even for just a minute, and then put it in the ground, will it sprout?”

“Um, no,” I replied. “I don’t think so.”

“If you dehydrate it, pulverize it into a powder and then put it back in the ground, will it sprout?”

“Definitely not,” I said.

“Correct. Can you see, therefore, that steaming or pulverizing changes something fundamental in the carrot? It is no longer a carrot. It may taste like a carrot. It may feel like a carrot. But it no longer has all the properties of a living carrot.”

“So are you saying that cooking our food is what’s killing us? That we shouldn’t eat anything cooked?”

“I’m saying that in order to sustain life,” the Adept replied, “you must eat live food. Remember, you are always free to do anything you wish. Just remember the Essential Truth that there are always effects from that cause. Look to nature for your answers. If it isn’t in the original scene, it isn’t food, and therefore, not part of the original code. Do you see cows stir-frying their grass before grazing?” he asked.

“Can’t say that I have,” I replied with a smile. “But you’ve been cooking meals for me. Why not all live?”

“Well, it’s been sort of a transitional diet I created just for you. Yesterday’s meal was heavy on the salad, and the soup we had at lunch was almost raw. Today, since you asked, is going to be “Rawday.” You may have heard of it? It’s on the Ageless Adept calendar right after “Fry Day”, get it?” he said with a chuckle.

Let’s bring it all together with a definition of “real food!”

NEXT: Real Food