Shana Dean

I have spent my entire life interested in food and health. I began cooking for myself at a very young age. As I grew older and developed as a cook, I began to cherish and look forward to my time in the kitchen. Making wonderful meals has always been a relaxing activity for me like a working meditation. And bringing joy to those I share food with has always been a dear passion of mine. In addition to this, I have spent years studying nutrition, studying how the body reacts and heals with food, drink, supplementation, and exercise. I currently work in the weight loss field and have done so for the last decade. I discovered raw foods over four years ago. Though I didn't need to cure myself from any specific health concern, I became a raw food enthusiast over night after reading one simple book on raw food. It just makes so much sense! Within three amazing months of eating 100% raw I experienced profound changes within myself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I went from needing 10 hours of sleep to only needing 6 hours, gaining a whopping 4 hours of useful time in my life. And I say useful because I became much more productive and motivated than I ever had in my life. I had beaming, clear, balanced energy. I bounced out of bed each day and had no problem keeping up with demanding workouts, which was never the case eating the cooked Standard American Diet (SAD). Also the stressful parts of my life seemed to be less of a hindrance. Everything is easier when I am raw, and challenging situations just don't seem to be that big of a deal. I have yet to be sick which is a miracle, for I used to get the flu like clockwork every winter season. I can now share close quarters with people who are sick and I am simply immune to it all. Emotionally, I couldn't be happier or more grounded. My heart is filled with gratitude; I have a belly full of laughter, and I smile much more. It is not unusual at all to find me dancing around my house as I drink my morning green juice. I feel vibrant and joyous. The most interesting change I have noticed, however, is the development of my sixth sense. I noticed my intuition sharpening after my third month raw. I am able to sense some things before they happen, I am more aware of my actions and intentions and of the inter-connectivity of everything. This is the most unexpected result of my entire raw experience. I feel utterly raw and alive. Now my time in the kitchen creating with fresh, raw, organic foods is not only a wonderful working meditation, but it is a true blessing, filling me with love and pure energy. I am a graduate of the Living Light Culinary Art Institute. I am a raw food chef and instructor, and I am available for raw culinary coaching and demonstrations. I whole heartedly feel raw foods are the answer for personal and planetary health, and I encourage everyone to eat high raw.