About Georgia

I have always been interested in how we nourish ourselves, and began studying Biochemistry and Nutrition in the 1980s. Although this gave me a good background in the scientific foundations for nutrition, I always felt there was more to health and well-being.  I spent several years following various paths that have all converged, once again, with food and authentic nourishment as the focus. In the meantime, I studied health from both policy and community development perspectives. I learned a lot as a community-based policy researcher about how we nourish ourselves as a society and how we need to create more local and sustainable sources of authentic and accessible food. It became clear to me that we need to change our relationship to food, and also to each other.

Faced with health challenges of my own, I was always searching for the perfect approach to nutrition so I could have more energy to do the things I loved. As my studies took a more holistic path, I learned about the connection between body, mind and spirit and how we need to nourish all to achieve and maintain health.  I had been studying various modalities of energy work (Quantum-Touch and Reiki) and became motivated to learn more about life force energy and food.

It was here that I discovered the ‘raw food movement’. I was surprised to discover that many people had known of and enjoyed the benefits of living foods for many years, and that the notion and practice of eating raw and living food was as ancient as time. The Indian Rishis, the Essenes and many other highly evolved cultures all knew the benefits of living foods. I wasn’t sure I could make the transition, even though the scientific research behind the nutritional benefits of living and raw food is sound and continues to build a convincing argument. Our expectations of food are ingrained in our culture and our psyches, and learning a new way to feed ourselves must be a conscious choice. But once the choice is made, the food becomes the best motivation.

The turning point for me was seeing the trailer for a movies called "Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days". As a long-time diabetic, I had struggled to find balance with a conventional diet that simply did not work for me. Once I tried live food, there was no turning back! I used to always be tired after eating a cooked meal, even one that was supposed to be ‘healthy’ but with live food, I immediately felt energy and vitality and more enthusiasm for life than I remember. My insulin requirements dropped by 60% and contintue to drop as my body heals. My concentration and mental clarity improved and I lost 30+ pounds without ever being hungry or feeling deprived. Needless to say, I am happy to join the many raw foodists around the world who are rediscovering food in its most healthful and natural state. As I become more conscious about what I eat and how it affects me, my health continues to improve, and so does my passion for living cuisine.

In the summer of 2008, I had the privilege of doing an apprenticeship in Living Nutrition and Cuisine at The Living Centre in London Ontario (www.thelivingcentre.com), where I learned more about living cuisine, nutrition and the elements of authentic nutrition. I learned that food provides much more than the biochemical building blocks to build our bodies – the energy within the food is our primary source of nutrition, and live food brings this energy in abundance.

We are in the midst of a knowledge explosion – new information is coming to light every day that demonstrates the benefits of a living/raw food diet, and I can see that my studies and new experiences will never end! Right now, I am completing a course in Ayurvedic Live Food Nutrition, and am excited about applying this ancient knowledge about energy and balance to the contemporary art and science of living nutrition. I will be sharing more about my journey through food energetics to Ayurveda in the near future.

I am overjoyed to be able to bring some of this knowledge to my workshops. But more importantly, the food speaks for itself – once people experience the taste and energy of living food, and learn how simple it is to prepare, they can easily make healthy changes that will last a lifetime.

I would be happy to discuss any questions you might have about living cuisine, and would also love to engage in creating a new approach to feeding ourselves. Please feel free to call or email.

Happy eating!

Copyright 2009 - Georgia Barnwell - All rights reserved.

Food Photos by patcreighton@eastlink.ca