[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJOzg_kvVRE]

I love Karyn.  She has so much wisdom and knowledge to share, but best of all she seems so down to earth and reasonable.  I have to go to Chitown someday and meet her.

I hope this article from Pear Magazine inspires you too, especially if you’re an African American (like me :).

“Black Raw Food History”
by Julie Pitcher
2/2/07 – Pear Magazine Online

The History Makers who started it all…..

Dick Gregory

“I am willing to go to jail for you”

Interview/Article: http://www.satyamag.com/apr96/gregory.html
Dick Gregory’s Home Page: http://www.DickGregory.com
One of the founders of the raw vegan movement Gregory achieved fame with his popular Bahamian Diet in the 1960’s. Also a comedian, political activist, and marathon runner!

Aris Latham

http://www.sunfiredfood.com/Bio.htm
The 2004 Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America acclaims: ‘…the raw food movement owes much to Aris LaTham, a native of Panama, he is considered to be the father of gourmet ethical vegetarian raw foods cuisine in America. He debut his raw food creations in 1979, when he started Sunfired Foods, a live-foods company in New York City. In the years since he has trained thousands of raw food chefs and added innumerable recipes to his repertoire…’ Dr. Aris LaTham has a Master’s degree in Linguistics and a Ph.D. in Food Science. He has been featured on major television stations in the United States (ABC & NBC), and major publications (Essence magazine, Time magazine, Vegetarian Times). He has done seminars for the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and has done consultations for Strawberry Hill, Swept Away and the Golden Door, a spa in the United States and Mexico. Dr. LaTham currently lives and works in St. Mary and teaches food preparation courses, has chef/cook training, offers assistance in detoxifying the individual and kitchen (ridding the kitchen of toxic substances and restocking it with healthful food), and runs a spa.

Karyn Calabrese

http://www.karynraw.com/
A featured guest on Oprah’s Age Defying Women, Chicago raw restauranteur Karyn Calabrese was recently also showcased in Fearless Women over 50, an inspiring coffee table book with stories and wonderful photography.

Storm Talifero

http://www.TheGardenDiet
The muscular and forever young raw vegan, author of several eBooks on Raw Food, producer of the documentary “Breakthrough” about his raw vegan family, and developer of The Circular Workout for muscle-toning without stress for long-term fitness.

Annette Larkins

http://www.annettelarkins.com/
The Black Grandma who hands out her free raw food booklet to everyone who asks her why she looks so young, pretty much everywhere she goes!

And The New Breed…

Lillian Butler

Raw Soul Catering, Restaurant and Classes: http://www.rawsoul.com
Before and Afters and Story: http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/pictures/befafter_lillianbutler.html
Lillian Butler is the Raw Soul of NYC! After experiencing tremendous health and transformation on raw foods Lillian has planted and grown several raw food businesses to help bring this lifestyle to others!

Zakhah

http://www.rawfoodinfo.com/catalog/books_thejoyoflivinglive.html
Zakhah is the young author of The Joy of Living Live, A Raw Food Journey – a wonderful uncook book which also features a comprehensive photographic listing of Black raw foodists around the world.

Khepere Anu

http://www.supernaturallife.com/bios.html
Part of the wonderful crew at Veg Soul, a raw food retreat center in Jamaica! He is also a mathematician and professional investor who has devoted his life to following a path of greater enlightenment, prosperity, and expansion of consciousness. This path includes the practice of an exclusive live foods diet, daily yoga and meditation, and Capoeira Angola. Khepere is committed to sharing the live food lifestyle and a prosperous mentality in his quest to continue to heal and nourish himself and others.
.

Penny Powell

http://www.PearMagazine.com
The Editor in Chief of Pear Magazine, the Online Magazine of Fresh Organic Lifestyles covering Living Cuisine and Beyond. With her warm writing, communication, networking and leadership talents, Penny is a strong new voice in the raw food movement.

“Being a vegan for over 25 years and a proponent of Living Foods, I’ve learned that good nutrition is good eating, good digesting, and absorbing the nutrients your body needs. However, most people eat food that has been cooked and then warmed up. This process depletes the enzyme activity in food and prevents the optimum digestion and absorption of nutrients.I’ve often said, I could have never eaten this way for so many years just eating steamed rice, boiled vegetables, plain lettuce, and tomatoes. I need flavors, textures, and color which all aid in digestion of food. What I hope to bring you is my love of the exotic blend of fruits, grains, vegetables, and sprouts that our natural world has to offer. Remember that the most magnificent gift of any of us will ever be given is our own body.” – From karynraw.com

Karyn Calabrese, one of the most popular and innovative leaders in the holistic health industry, Karyn’s Center provides a sacred space for the balancing of the body, mind and spirit. Serving people of all backgrounds, the center aims at assisting people in their healing process. The Center is designed to address all aspects of well-being, focusing on maintaining health while encouraging disease prevention.

Also an acclaimed chef, Karyn Calabrese has a gift for creating uniquely flavorful raw vegan dishes, making her restaurant, Karyn’s, the longest standing raw-food restaurant in the Midwest. Chicago Tribune’s William Rice calls Karyn, “the high priestess of raw food” and after stepping foot in her signature restaurant, you’ll know why. Raw food dining is taken to new heights as Karyn’s offers carefully prepared all-organic gourmet dishes influenced by her many years of innovative food preparation.

I celebrate Karyn!!!!  I’m so glad to see African Americans who have embraced raw food!