What’s New In the World of Raw Food Education?
A Glimpse of the First Annual Raw Health Expo in Santa Rosa
by Katy Joy of RawPeople.com

Rick, Casey (our RawPeople.com show Producer and Camera Man) and I have made a commitment to keeping you abreast of many helpful events going on in the raw food movement so we can continue to grow personally and so we can keep our RawPeople.com community well informed and inspired.

John Kohler, webmaster of www.living-foods.com and founder of the 1st Annual Raw Health Expo in Santa Rosa, CA put together a meaningful weekend of raw food educators from allover the country to share their knowledge.  Some of the lectures included:

    • why to eat raw
    • how to eat raw
    • how to stay raw
    • how to grow your own food
    • how to prepare food

    • natural eyesight improvement
    • raw food and pets
    • importance of sleep
    • daylight eating
    • sprouting

    • sea vegetables
    • nutritional deficiencies
    • energetic healing
    • panel discussions about hot topics in the raw food world


John made sure the local farmers were included and that their fresh produce was available at the event. I heard someone say “this is the first raw food event I have been to where there is more fresh food than packaged food.” Local raw food chefs provided a delicious variety of raw food meals to purchase. Many of them volunteered their time! There was also an abundance of green smoothies and special elixirs to enjoy.

I am so grateful to John for taking the time and energy to put together an event like this. He found raw foods due to a serious health condition and as he became transformed he has literally help thousands of people learn about optimal raw food practices that avoid “raw junk food” and focus on simple live and fresh foods to sustain and energize the body. He hand selected the presenters who were able to deliver the message he is so passionate about.

I was personally grateful to hear lectures from Paul Nison, author of Raw Knowledge and other books. When I first ventured into the raw food lifestyle his book was the first one I read. He included many biographies of those who have lived on raw foods for many years and addresses many of the common issues those face when making the transition to this way of life. He is coming out with a new book called The Day Light Diet and gave some very useful information about the importance of eating most of our food between 8am-5pm and how this helps us get the true rest we need at night for our bodies to restore itself. He talked about the bad habit of late night eating and the negative affect it has on us. I can hardly wait to read the book! You can see Paul briefly address these issues in an interview I conducted with him at the event. Just go to www.RawPeopleRadio.com and check it out.

I also had a personal thrill being able to hear and interview Victoria Boutenko on her birthday. Her knowledge and wisdom about incorporating blended greens into our diet was amazing. She told us all that this was the only event she was speaking at this summer as she was needing to take some personal time right now but felt John’s event was something she needed to be apart of. I can see why as this event was very educational based and emphasized very sound and practical advice for transitioning to and maintaining the raw food lifestyle. The messages were gentle yet firm. The suggestions to get away from packaged raw foods and obtain most of your nutrients from fresh fruits, vegetable, seeds, and nuts were helpful. I encourage you to go to RawPeople radio on the site to see this interview with Victoria. It’s full of very interesting information about the history of processed and preserved foods and other fascinating perspectives on optimal eating practices.

I have a blog coming very soon, which emphasizes motivation, support, and inspiration to live the raw food lifestyle. Be sure to check it out, as I will be sharing a motivational tool I learned in a workshop given by Kevin Gianni, host of “The Renegade Health Show.” He is also an internationally well-known author who wrote High Raw: A Simple Approach to Health, Eating and Saving the Planet, and has many more amazing projects he has created and is apart of. His positive energy was contagious and I learned some great new tools to keep myself motivated on my raw food lifestyle journey.

I have come to deeply appreciate the opportunities to learn and be mentored by those further along the raw path than I am. It’s so helpful to continue to expose yourself to others who are living the life you want and soak in all you can. There are many who have successfully transitioned to and maintained a raw food diet and lifestyle for years. The support is there. Rick, Casey, and I will continue to do our best to share all that we are experiencing and learning with you all.

Let’s do all we can to support John as he is hosting the Second Annual Raw Health Expo next year!

In Love and Peace,
Katy Joy Freeman, Co-Founder of RawPeople.com

P.S. If you have the chance to visit the Santa Rosa area in California please be sure to experience a meal at Seed Restaurant. They prepare some of the best gourmet raw food I have ever tasted!