Aloha Friends,
I read this article in Victoria Boutenko’s newsletter today and found it to be something I wanted to share with our community. Her website is www.rawfamily.com. I enjoyed seeing Victoria at the Raw Lifestyle Film Festival in Los Angeles last month, where Valya’s great new film was shown. The Boutenko’s are such an inspiration to us all. (I had fun making the image on this page. Photoshop has discoverd me!!)
I also want to report that I have two friends whose hair is returning from white and grey to it’s natural dark color, and they both relate it directly to their daily intake of green smoothies, which they’ve both been drinking for 6 or more months now. Green smoothies are a regular part of my day now, and I am really enjoying them. Another friend mentioned her doctor is now suggesting that people drink green smoothies because of the results in health-increase. Of course we all must take responsibility for our own health, and it is recommended we consult with licensed health practitioners before making any changes in diet.
Here is the article from Victoria’s Raw Family newsletter, reprinted with permission from Victoria:
Disclaimer: This testimonial is very inspirational, however,this person made some high risk decisions. Even though we believe in natural healing, The Boutenko family will not accept responsibility for your medical choices. Whatever you decide to do is at your own risk.
What goes around, comes around. I was blessed to meet Alex at the recent Raw Food Film Festival in California. I didn’t know him before. Alex just walked right up to me and handed me his wonderful testimonial. It is my privilege to introduce to you this beautiful man.
~Victoria Boutenko
Reversing Diabetes Testimonial
by Alex Romanov
My name is Alex Romanov, and I am writing this in thanksgiving for the help I received from the Boutenko family, which has forever changed my life.
As an adult, I was diagnosed as a type one diabetic. This was determined by the results of a C-peptide assay performed at Century City Hospital in Los Angeles, California while under the care of Dr. Englanoff. I was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia and a septic condition of the blood. I was in end-stage diabetic Ketoacidosis. It was determined that my body was no longer producing insulin.
The news that I was diabetic came as a total shock! Looking back, I realize that I had been experiencing various symptoms for some time. These included frequent urination, insatiable thirst, pain in my feet and legs, blurred vision and slow healing of cuts and bruises.
The diagnosis was devastating for me because, for many years, I had dabbled off and on with raw foods, and felt I was in control of my health. After reading Victoria’s Green for Life, I had added smoothies to my diet occasionally with great results. I now realize that it was those very smoothies that were keeping the diabetes at bay.
I spent 4 days in critical condition in the ICU followed by an additional five days in the hospital. During that time, I found it was difficult not to buy into the doctor’s dire predictions. I was told that my life would depend on my taking a large amount of insulin daily.
When I got out of the hospital, I was so sad. I felt like I had lost control of my health and this horrible “boogeyman” named diabetes had taken charge. I attended classes and clinics, and at every one, I was endlessly informed that I should expect one dire outcome after another. I was told that the numbness in my feet was Neuropathy and that it could one day lead to amputation. I was warned to have my vision checked because I may develop Retinitis which could lead to blindness. It was a constant diet of negative outcomes.
I was truly depressed about this, but I started to look to natural ways to deal with this. I was inspired to contact Victoria from whom I had received great advice several times in the past. I e-mailed her, described my condition and begged for her help. She e-mailed me back and said that Sergei would answer my question on his teleconference the next day.
I tuned in via the web, and at the exact time that I connected, I heard Valya reading my question! Sergei said that green smoothies were good for keeping his own blood sugar levels normal, especially with dandelion greens since they contain some insulin. He also shared that mango is healing to the pancreas. He said that the key to fruit smoothies was the fiber content which mitigates the sugar in the fruit.
I cannot describe the joy and relief I felt at that moment! Sergei’s own story inspired me, and his referral to the April 2006 newsletter gave me so much hope.
The information in that newsletter described others who overcame diabetes, and it made me realize that if they could, I could!
I rushed off to the market and came home with dandelion greens, mangoes and blueberries ready to make a delicious, green smoothie! I measured my blood sugar before the smoothie and two hours after. I made two quarts intending to have only one quart and save the other. It was so wonderful that I ate all of it.
Of course I knew that having a “fruit smoothie” was forbidden by the standard diabetic diet. I was told that I could not have more than one half an apple or banana. I had just consumed four apples, blueberries and three large mangoes in smoothie form! I felt satiated and well. I tested my blood two hours later and my sugar was LOWER than the previous test. It was then that I knew I found the answer.
I stopped taking insulin that night. I have maintained my raw diet and have two quarts of smoothie per day. My sugar is 70 to 80 pre-meal and never more than 110 post-meal. As a result, I consider myself healed from diabetes since these are normal non diabetic levels. I have stopped going to the clinic and do not need further allopathic treatment.
Victoria and her family gave me back my health. I turned to them in a moment of darkness and despair, and they made me believe that I could have perfect health again and that with the proper nutrition, my body would heal this crisis. I cannot express in words how thankful I am. I am eating 100 percent raw with 2-3 quarts of green smoothie daily. My diet before was about 50 percent raw with some cooked vegan.
I understand that my story may be hard for some to accept. In this society, doctors are respected if not worshiped. When I was under their care at the hospital, I bought into their dire prognosis. I was surprised because it had been years since I believed in allopathy or conventional treatment.
The Boutenkos showed me that there is another way, a natural, pleasant way that ensures a wonderful outcome. I realized that I had a choice. I could believe in the allopathic approach OR I could believe in my own body’s natural ability to heal.
This past weekend, I happily attended the Raw Film Festival and could not wait to tell Victoria my story and thank her in person. One of the films shown was Valya Boutenko’s “Reversing the Irreversible” which touched me deeply! In the film, she says that health and well-being “…are as natural as water flowing down a stream” and that“…it is unnatural to be ill.” In the film, there are those who overcame their diabetes just as I had.
For me,the first step was being able to change my thinking. This is the extraordinary help that the Boutenkos provide. They offer a personally tested strategy to attain well being and perfect health. I will always remember and be grateful for the hope that they gave me.
I hope my story will inspire others like me to choose a different way, to provide their wondrous bodies with the tools necessary to maintain perfect health. I encourage you to try green smoothies and raw food. Let your glucose meter be your guide as I did. Allopathy does NOT have all the answers, and there is an alternative. How blessed we are to have people like the Boutenko family who courageously share their love and hope with the world.
In this time, when disease has become prevalent in our society and the treatment of which is so profitable, their message reminds us that there is another way!
With deepest appreciation and respect,
Alex Romanov
A new friend introduced me to the knowledge of true health through raw family, another wonderful source. People learning to help themselves and breaking the slavery/idealism of M.D.’s as gods. We are all very fortunate that the vast amount of information in the world and scholarly books is available to us via internet. Let’s all drink a smoothie to that.
Thanks for your comment. I have been fascinated watching over the last years as Medical Doctors have been waking up to the possibility that food and health are directly related. From what I’ve heard, there has been a deficiency in Medical Programs regarding nutrition and health. More and more MDs are adding this common sense wisdom to their protocol. In interviewing any medical professional regarding using their services, I think we’d all be wise to inquire as to their nutritional training and understanding. I celebrate as Universities and Medical Schools begin to integrate this very practical healthful knowledge into their curricula. If anyone has news about doctors and/or schools which are doing this, I’d love to post it and share about it.
Wow! That was a fast reply! I’ve often thought I’d like to add green mineral powder to my smoothies. I like the idea of fresh greens put directly in there, but don’t the vegetables and fruits take different enzymes to digest? I thought there were food combinations to avoid. I always assumed veggies and fruits didn’t go well. I have recently started taking cacao. I love it! It is the tastiest and the best mood enhancer, but I believe it stimulating and has caffeine?
I believe it’s not good for the kidneys. I would love to hear what you know about cacao and even food combining. I am going to buy a book soon on smoothies and I believe I will check out Victoria’s book. Until now, I have been educated word of mouth through friends on raw food. Haven’t read or bought any of my own books yet. But, I do want to know yummy green recipes and/or smoothies. And I do need to get the story straight with cacao because right now I am living it up indulging in the stuff.
And I do consume a lot more sugar than before I started the raw food diet.
Okay, many blessings. Share what you know and have time for. Like I said, I am going to get a book.
Thanks for your help.
Bethany
Thanks for your thoughts, Bethany. The digestion of different combinations seems to vary between individuals. For example some of my friends can get away with loading fruits into their green salads, whereas for me, this leads to digestive distress. However, if I blend the greens, veggies and fruits together in my VitaMix, my digestion is quite happy.
I have read that this is because the very small particles are already now partially broken down, and this is the experience of many people. I seem to be able to easily digest nuts with fruits as well, for example in a smoothie, I will add brazil nuts, blueberries, strawberries, cacao, green powder, maca, etcetera, and this does very nicely for me. In fact for me, just fruit is ‘too much sugar’ some times and my endocrine system seems to appreciate balancing the fats and proteins of the nuts with the sugars of the fruits.
As far as cacao goes, I did eat quite a bit of it daily when it first arrived on the market. I found that my former chocolate addiction with cooked chocolate was replaced with a preference – but not a need – to eat chocolate, as it had been when I was eating cooked chocolate. I use cacao still regularly and it seems to work for me. Some recent raw foods teachers have been suggesting it’s not good to consume vast quantities, and I’m sure that’s probably correct.
One very important thing to remember when approaching the raw vegan diet is that there are many teachers with many very differing positions and opinions, often proclaimed as bare truth. I have learned for myself to check out what really works in my own body, because everyone’s experience is different. What this means is that all these diverse opinions may not be ‘wrong’ or ‘right,’ they may just be custom-tailored to the author. So as with everything in life, my recommendation is to seek inner wisdom and direct personal experience as the main Guru — Gee, You Are You (G.U.R.U.) With this attitude, we can receive ideas from others without becoming confused by discrepancies in the opinion marketplace.
I am reading this with tears in my eyes. I have been so close to tragic health issues for many years. I am one month into my raw vegan diet now, and my whole life has changed. I have terrible hormonal disorders and was always told I would end up diabetic one day. I have never been able to control my weight and have always had so many other issues. The raw diet is the ONLY thing that has ever given me any hope. One month into this I feel totally radiant. I have lost about 25 pounds, and a whole heap of depression. I recently started juicing greens in my blender and straining them with a nut bag. I learned this from another raw friend online and it has totally rocked my world. I drink smoothies almost every day and many times I have my green juice daily.
I truly believe there is nothing else in the world as amazing as a whole food raw diet.
I want to say thank you for this site and the wonderful information. I am humbled, and honored to be here..
With much love and light.. Namaste
Hi Mammaren,
Thanks so much for your beautiful words and beautiful sharing. I’m so glad this article helps you. You are very welcome and I feel so grateful to be of service. Many blessings to you and please continue to share your journey! Do you know of Angela Stokes? She’s at http://www.rawreform.com — I really think you will like her site. Check it out!
Laura
Hi Laura!
yes, I have been to her site many times and hope to buy a few of her books soon (as income permits..)
Thank YOU for your kind words as well and always being so encouraging..
Namaste..
I Love My Raw Smoothies Too !!!****** =)
Every where I go I keep hearing stories like this. So Heart Warming, and giving way to Live in Super Health again.
Wow, I am so Happy to have found out about Raw Foods. I have now been 95% Raw Vegan for just over four months, and Feel So Much Better. Have also lost 20 pounds.
I am finding I don’t need to worry about my weight now, which is a Big relieve too =)
Having one or two smoothies a day, I don’t find myself feeling hungry much either, since my cells are getting nutient dense wholefoods they are satisfied and don’t ask for more food.
Thank you for this wonderful blog and the work/play you do in sharing The Rawlific Raw Food Lifestyle with the World !!!****** =)
Blessing’s of Peace…Love…Joy…And Infinite Abundance !!!****** =)
Borrowed Victoria Boutenkos book at the Library and it has changed my life in two weeks. I have lost 12 pounds and no longer have to worry about the diabetes. Have been controlling my diabetes with diet for about 8 years but I have been drinking green smoothies 3X day and do not crave sweets, chocolates – have had more energy and ability to get through the afternoon without snacking on all the junk food I used to eat. Thank you so much Victoria and family!
I have to echo everyone else’s sentiments. I am almost 10 days of 99% raw and could not be happier. The Only way that has worked for me has been with Green Smoothies. I did not plan to go 100% or 99% raw just yet, but with the green smoothies, I lost my cravings for all the bad food I had been hooked on. Phenomenal!!! The other times I have gone all raw were a regular struggle of white knuckling it and then failing to resist temptation. Not now!! My cravings have been lessened to the point of non existence and it is making staying raw Doable!!!!
that’s awesome karen, thanks! do you know about RawUnion? there will be tons of raw foods education in a really awesome setting. maybe you can come out for it! anyways many blessings on your path, please stay in touch!