South End pair says raw food is the real deal

LANGLEY — If you think raw food equals salad — think again.

Two South End entrepreneurs have started a business that will help introduce people to the raw food lifestyle. The business is called Anambia, Power Food for Body, Mind and Spirit.

Quinn Fitzpatrick and Charlene Suzuki offer raw food preparation classes, Raw2Go products that will be sold in stores, coaching and cleansing retreats.

“We both eat raw and we’re passionate about the lifestyle,” Suzuki said.

As the name suggests, raw food is food which has never been heated nor treated with chemicals so it retains the enzymes and nutrients of its natural state.

“It’s foods that have a life,” Fitzpatrick said.

As soon as a food is cooked or has added chemicals, the vitamins, nutrients, enzymes and other healthy compounds start to change or become destroyed and the food no longer has the life and health-giving properties it has in its raw state, Fitzpatrick said.

“Everyone is talking about diets these days — types, zones, good/bad foods,” Fitzpatrick said.

“Don’t eat this, don’t eat that. The proof is in how you feel on a day to day basis. How we feel is determined by what we eat. People don’t do well, because they don’t feel well — and how you feel is largely based on what you consume on a daily basis,” he added.

It’s also a trend followed by celebrities like Woody Harrelson, Demi Moore, Sting, Angela Bassett, Robin Williams, Susan Sarandon Cher and many others.

It’s also easy to transition into, so people interested in converting their eating habits don’t have to go cold turkey.

People can get started with something as simple as a fruit smoothie, Fitzpatrick said.

Suzuki has been living on a raw diet for almost 11 months; Fitzpatrick for about 18 months. And they said it wasn’t a rough switch.

Also, they said the South End offers many stores that support the lifestyle and offer untreated foods. Living Green in Langley, where they hold some of their classes, is also a great resource, they said.

“It’s a great place for smoothies and juices,” Suzuki said.

Fitzpatrick and Suzuki use some simple, but powerful tools to transform veggies, fruit, nuts and grains into cookies, ice cream, pies, pizza and full meals without the help of an oven or stove. The food dehydrator, high speed blender and food processor are their allies in the process.

People have a chance to learn about the secrets of a balanced and satisfying raw meal at upcoming Anambia classes.

Fitzpatrick and Suzuki will hold the next class on raw food preparation Nov. 14 at Living Green in Langley.

For more information, contact Suzuki at 360-320-4443 or send an e-mail to info@qlivefoods.com.

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