Aging is Optional! Believe It!

Okanagan Rawsome’s mission is to awaken your taste buds to delicious raw, sprouted, gluten-free and vegan living! Afke Zonderland, Chef & CEO shares how easy it is to live a whole-food philosophy and make the healthiest choices for yourself and your family.

Afke Zonderland, Raw Food Chef & CEO, Okanagan Rawsome

Fifteen years ago, my father told me that I should stop that silly business of cross-country skiing and start acting my age. Truth be told he was still competitively driving a team of Friesian horses at age 79 – far older than I am now! This is me finishing a marathon three-hour loppet last winter!

I saw no point in quitting a sport that I loved – then – or now! What does our chronological age have to do with experiencing the joy and rush of climbing, skiing or cycling – then wheeling downhill with a group of friends who others might call ‘geezers!’ We’re having the time of our lives!

I choose to believe that beliefs are entirely optional – and I’m not the only one!

The science of epigenetics points us away from the fatalistic ‘this or that runs in the family.’ Epigeneticists assert that external or environmental factors switch the genes we are ‘given’ on – or off. That means it is within our power – and the lifestyle we choose – whether we develop heart disease, arthritis, cancer – or not!

Does this mean that we play a far greater role in our aging process than we realize?
Does this mean that cellular degeneration starts in your head?
Will changing our belief shift a balance in our health?

The answer is yes!

I have followed the growing scientific research on the leading causes of health for about 30 years. I don’t much care about the term “alternative” because it implies inferiority to conventional, mainstream systems of treating sickness, but I do believe that alternative and holistic medicine combined provides us with the means to better mankind.

I have always tried to “follow the money” when “buying” into the latest approach to health or living with an outdated status quo. More than anything I am excited about the rebirth of the ancient belief that simple food is a key player in the cause of bad – or good health.

A friend of mine once said that it is up to me to decide whether the beliefs of others – whether they be experts, authors, pastors or scientists – would serve my family or me at that point in my life. That it was up to me to decide whether a phrase or concept would ring true, take root, grow strong and bear fruit. I invite and encourage you to question what you believe and see whether changing your beliefs could change your life! Here is a wonderful recipe over which you may ponder!

Ratatouille! My favorite vegetable casserole!
^{Ratatouille = French Provençal stewed vegetable dish, originating in Nice.}

5 TBSP butter
2 red onions
2 red or yellow peppers, coarsely chopped
2 eggplants, coarsely chopped
4 small zucchinis, thickly sliced
8 – 10 tomatoes
2 large cloves of garlic, minced
3 TSP fresh basil, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
½ cup of white wine

Fry the onion slices until soft. Add the peppers and zucchini and cook another 5 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the pan and cook the eggplant in the vegetable juices until it begins to brown. Add the tomatoes and return all the other vegetables to the pan with seasonings and garlic. Gently boil until the juices thicken. Add the wine. Stir and serve with basmati rice.

Introducing NEW Onion-Herb Beet Crisps

100% Non-GMO • Soaked & Sprouted Seeds • Dehydrated at Low Temperatures
• No Refined Sugars • Low-Glycemic •

Okanagan Rawsome’s mission is to awaken your taste buds!
Delicious raw, sprouted, gluten free, vegan crisps – now in five fabulous flavours!

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps

Onion-Herb BEET CRISPS are packed with local organic beets, carrots and onions combined with sprouted seeds and a yummy blend of spices.

LOCAL Organic Veggies
99% ORGANIC Ingredients

Onion-Herb Beet Crisps are delicious with your favourite cheese, hummus, or pesto. Make an open-faced sandwich using a Beet Crisp as a base!

INGREDIENTS: *ground flaxseeds, *carrots, *sprouted buckwheat, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *beets *zucchini, *sprouted lentils, *onions, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder, *sea salt, cumin (*organic)

A source of pure plant energy, these living whole food snacks are low-glycemic, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation. Loaded with organic ingredients and local produce, Okanagan Rawsome is real food that nourishes your body – and soul!

Find Okanagan Rawsome at retailers in Victoria and across Vancouver Island!

Purchase Okanagan Rawsome online and save! Free shipping within Canada for orders over $80. Free Shipping in the US for orders over $160.

Farming runs in the family at Okanagan Rawsome

How Okanagan Rawsome Crisps are Made

Spicy Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps

Spicy Chia-Hemp CARROT CRISPS are spicy snacks made with locally grown carrots & zucchini, chia, hemp, and sprouted lentils to enhance nutrient bioavailability. The carrots provide a high-source of Vitamin A.

LOCAL Organic Veggies
96% ORGANIC Ingredients

Chia-Hemp Carrot Crisps are delicious with your favorite cheese, hummus, and/or a slice of avocado. Make an open faced sandwich using a Carrot Crisp as a base!

INGREDIENTS: *carrots, *ground flax seeds, *sprouted buckwheat, *zucchini, *sprouted lentils, hemp hearts, *chia seeds, *sea salt, cumin, cayenne, onion powder, oregano, garlic powder (*organic)

How Carrot Crisps are Made

Flax Sesame Apple Crisps

Flax Sesame APPLE CRISPS light, flavour-packed zesty treat made with oranges and lemons. We grind whole flax seeds to preserve valuable Omega-3 fats. Dehydration happens at low temperatures, protecting valuable living enzymes!

LOCAL Organic Apples
96% ORGANIC Ingredients

Delicious with a seed or nut butter. Visit the recipe section of our website for other suggested pairings and rawsome recipes!

INGREDIENTS: *apples, *coconut, *ground flax seeds, *sesame seeds, *dates, hemp hearts, *oranges, *lemon juice, cinnamon, ground ginger, *sea salt (*organic)

How Apple Crisps Are Made

Chocolate Ginger Apple Crisps

Chocolate Ginger APPLE CRISPS offer dark chocolate-coconut decadence in a delicious mixture of organic Okanagan apples, ginger, sprouted seeds, sprouted buckwheat, and dates.

LOCAL Organic Produce
90% ORGANIC Ingredients

Choc-Ginger Apple Crisps are delicious on their own or with a serving of ice cream made with frozen bananas & vegan chocolate pudding.

INGREDIENTS: *apples, *sprouted buckwheat, *ground flax, *dates, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *sprouted pumpkin seeds, ginger slices, dark chocolate (cocao, sugar, non-GMO soya lecithin, vanilla flavour), *coconut, ground ginger, *lemon juice, cinnamon, *sea salt (*organic)

Available in convenient single-sized portions.

Cranberry Raisin Apple Crisps

Cran-Raisin APPLE CRISPS combine sprouted buckwheat with delicious organic cranberries, raisins, and organic Okanagan apples to create a naturally sweet and filling snack.

LOCAL Organic Apples
99% ORGANIC Ingredients

Crumble a few pieces of Cran-Raisin Apple Crisps onto plain yogurt or sprinkle some on top of your morning cereal to add live enzymes and easy to digest protein to kick start your day!

INGREDIENTS: *apples, *sprouted buckwheat, *ground flax, *dates, *sprouted sunflower seeds, *sprouted pumpkin seeds, *raisins, *cranberries, cinnamon, ground ginger, *orange zest, *sea salt (*organic)

Available in convenient single-sized portions.

Serving Suggestions!