Hello,

I am an omnivore who is exploring the idea of introducing raw food - lots of it - into my diet. I am 70lbs overweight and feeling very unwell (and frighteningly old and achey for my 36 years), so something has got to change. I have done some juicing and some sprouting, both of which I really enjoy.

Last week I discovered an online business in BC, Canada that sells raw products and ordered a bunch of raw nuts, bee pollen, cacao beans, and coconut butter (that stuff is HEAVENLY!). Today for the first time I tried cacao beans and was -am- surprised, to say the least, by the effect. I'm not sure yet whether I like it, to be honest. I've read articles saying it induces a feeling of euphoria, a high, bliss. I'm not sure I feel euphoria, but high? Maybe. As someone who has never used drugs, I wouldn't know "high" if I tripped over it. *L* I feel wired and spaced out at the same time, and I only had two! It's a little unnerving. It's like the "wired" from drinking too much coffee but without the jitters. I think I'd better use those little goodies in moderation. Eek.

I have also never used bee pollen but have read great things about it. Is it eaten "straight", as is? And how much is considered a "serving"? Should it be stored in the fridge or freezer?

I ordered mesquite powder, too. Again, I have never tried it but have read great things. I think I'd like to try it in a smoothie. Anybody have a good smoothie recipe that incorporates the mesquite and cacao? I have a vision of sprinting to work tomorrow morning and bouncing off the walls after drinking a smoothie with these ingredients...the cacao alone has me zinging...can you imagine a jolt of a super smoothie?

Thanks for "listening",
Nenuphar