David Wolfe: The Sunfood Diet Success System (North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California 2009) The first edition was published in 1999.
If you want to be fascinated by raw foods, read this book!
I have to warn you though: it is only for those seeking serious amounts of information, as the book is 613 pages long! But to help you succeed with raw foods, I highly recommend this book and personally I found it very enjoyable to read. It gave me a lot of hope for a better world and reasons to believe in the power of raw foods.
Sunfood Diet Success System offers tons of practical advice and information about the amazing benefits of the raw food diet. All aspects of life are covered, from the physical and emotional to the cultural, political, historical and spiritual.
Yet, I would say that it is a light read! The writing style makes it very easy and enjoyable to read.
In the Sunfood Diet Success System, he also explains that internal purification allows the heart and mind to work together. He says that all the wisdom we require is already within us and a healthy body allows us to access dormant areas of our nervous system. To direct this world into a new era of prosperity, David Wolfe says, we are going to require a new level of physical health. Internal purification, positive thinking, and spiritual connection by activating the glands (especially pineal gland) will enable us to utilise the powers of our nervous system in a way which will allow this new era to come into being.
I have personally experienced better mind function soon after beginning to juice fast and/or eat raw foods. You can read more on the benefits I experienced here and here.
On page 78 of the Sunfood Diet Success System, David Wolfe explains that when your diet is pure, the planet freely offers its wealth to you. He believes that diet is the mysterious key to life-long abundance. This is a very spiritual belief which I believe is based on raising your vibration, and thus attracting good energies.
This book deserves a long review as well as many inspirational quotes. What follows, thus, is a chapter by chapter review.
"As above, so below. Everything happening around you is only a reflection of what is going on inside you. If you want the world to change, you have to change." - Sunfood Diet Success System, p.23
"Essentially, your mission is not to set the world right but simply set yourself right." - Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 24
This short chapter calls for not pointing a finger at others but taking full responsibility of your own health, happiness, and in a sense, the world that surrounds you. David Wolfe seems to think that the only way we can create anything good in the world is by working on ourselves. This will make more sense if one believes in the Esther and Jerry Hicks' maxim that high vibrating energy attracts more high vibrations, whereas low vibes attract more of themselves.
According to this idea all unhappiness and stress is creating bad luck and suffering in the world, whereas positive thoughts and emotions (especially) create all manner of goodness. The best solution, then, is to try to increase one's own energy and vibrate higher (through diet, thoughts, etc.) because this good energy will spread anywhere you go and also influence the whole world.
More on this here: Is Law of Attraction Real?
Also: Joe Vitale's book: Zero Limits.
Things produce after their own kind. This short chapter continues the thought from the previous chapter, introducing the reader to some more principles of the Law of Attraction.
David Wolfe explains that strong emotion nourishes thought seeds and sets those seeds into vibration. He believes that when you have an emotional thought, whether that thought is positive or negative, it will begin to materialise in your life. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 30)
The power of thought has control of every cell of our bodies, David Wolfe writes in this chapter. And the subconscious mind is part of the process, he continues. (p. 37) It is important to understand, according to Wolfe, that your subconscious mind cannot tell the difference between and emotional thought and a real event. So whatever you think with strong emotion will begin to materialize in your life. That's why anger and hatred are so dangerous and in a way that energy will always come back to you. Not because spirits or any other beings cause it happen but because you are creating negative vibrations which attract more negative vibrations.
To read more on how thoughts affect our reality, read "Ask and It is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks.
To understand how thoughts affect our cells, read: "The Biology of Belief" by Bruce H. Lipton.
On how thoughts affects your subconscious mind, read: "The Genie Within" by Harry W. Carpenter.
This chapter lists the causes of negative thoughts as follows:
This chapter of the Sunfood Diet Success System also offers solutions on to how to combat negative thoughts that creep into your consciousness.
Firstly, the book recommends the Law of Substitution, which maintains that the conscious mind can only hold one thought at a time, so you should deliberately replace a negative thought with a positive one when you notice that you are thinking it. Wolfe also points out that even the best diet can little help an individual who is unwilling to change their negative thoughts.
However, in my opinion, diet can hugely help those who are willing to change their thoughts. More practical advice on how to bring on happy moods here: How to Control Anger/ Cures for Moodiness
Our subconscious mind receives the raw data from the world and organises it into an understandable format, before we get a conscious sensation or an idea into our minds. One's experience of the world depends completely on the person. Thus our beliefs affect how we experience the world.
These are my thoughts but in my view also the main idea of chapter four in Sunfood Diet Success System. David Wolfe, however, explains it in a different way. He concludes that the main question to ask is not 'What should I believe?' but 'What is useful for me to believe?'. (p. 51)
In the action steps at the end of the chapter there is a suggestion, which I believe to be crucially important. It promotes us to tell the special people around us that you believe in them and to tell them how special they are to you. David Wolfe urges us to sincerely help and support these special people. He says that by the Law of Reciprocity (universal karmic law) what you send out will come back multiplied. David suggests that this is the best way to receive the belief and support that you need and deserve.
What you tell others become their limiting or empowering beliefs. Don't take the above action step because of the karmic law and hope for some future reward. Do this because it has massive influence on the people around you. What you say affects people on both subconscious and conscious levels.
But don't be patronising, as this will backfire. Find the right balance. And never mind about trying being correct, as trying to determine who or what is right is just a game of the ego.
What you think is the truth might not be. Be 'big' enough woman or a man to not care whether you are right or wrong! Make a test week where you never argue your point. Let the others be right instead. The truth doesn't matter. The beliefs and feelings matter. Besides, if you give people confidence and stay humble yourself, they don't find you as threatening and end up liking and trusting you more! And this new relaxed confidence will not go unnoticed by the observant and vigilant people of the world.
Believe in the goodness of the world and the people, believe that you are an amazing person and deserve happiness, believe that people around you are working to divine guidance and can be your teachers, believe that you can do whatever you put your mind to. And then work on your subconscious mind for it to believe the same!
This chapter of the Sunfood Diet success system describes your mind as a beautiful, fertile garden and your goals as seeds. If you don't have your own seeds, i.e. goals, then others will plant the seeds for you. These may be birds or weed-plants, and the resulting plants (= results) you might not want in your garden.
David Wolfe writes that if you are not working to achieve your own goals, you are always working achieve someone else's goals for your life. Everything you do, every day, is actually for the achievement of goals, he says. (p. 56)
He goes so far as to recommend that we set 6000 goals for ourselves.... What? That sounds quite stressful. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 57) But it makes more sense if we see it in context with what follows.
Wolfe writes that humans have the divine ability to visualize, to see the future before it happens, and in this way we literally create our future through visualization. Positive, vivid, mental pictures send things, people and circumstances to us in harmony with those pictures, David says, and continues that imagination is the key to a brilliant life. Just as you can visualize amazing landscapes, you should visualize your goal clearly and consistently, he says and assures us that those goals will begin to manifest straight away. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 58)
This chapter concludes by stating that when you take action by writing down your goals and reviewing them regularly, you dive into a strong current that will carry you to distant places. Unseen forces will come to your aid, Wolfe writes. He explains that writing down a vision, idea or goal makes it a commitment and tells the subconscious mind what you want to do. David Wolfe explains that this simple effort compels the subconscious to figure out how to make your vision become reality. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 59)
Faith is an important part of realising your goals because both your subconscious and your conscious minds have to believe that it is possible to realise the goals. According to David Wolfe, faith helps us tap into the zero-point energy field, which in turn helps to realise our goals (manifest our thoughts).
What people need more than anything is faith, David Wolfe Writes in the Sunfood Diet Success System. We need faith in ourselves, faith in our fellows, faith in the power and goodness of Nature, faith in the healing powers of raw plant foods, and faith in the divine powers, he continues.
Wolfe explains that an electron spinning around an atom continuously dips into the 'well of infinite energy and potential' called zero-point energy. He writes that this invisible energy field provides lifeforce to all living things through the superconductive properties of monoatomic elements inside living cells. These monoatomic (ormus) elements can then somehow bring energy into this dimension when needed, he says. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 69)
If you are interested in reading more about zero point energy and the recent scientific experiments, read Lynne McTaggart's book: "The Field".
For information on how our cells tap into the zero-point energy field (vacuum energy) read: David Jubb: "Jubb's Cell Rejuvenation: The Science Behind Lifefood Cleansing". It is a concept based on a fairly recent scientific discovery of a light source inside our cells (biophotons), which is thought to be capable of storing information.
Another book on the topic is Barbara Wren's "Cellular Awakening: How Your Body Holds and Creates Light".
If the zero-point energy theory is correct, then once we learn to tap into it - and some people claim they already know how - it means that we will have free unlimited energy at our disposal. There is debate about whether this would be dangerous to human kind because it would basically mean that anyone would be capable of building powerful weapons at their homes, because the energy required to power the weapon would be no obstacle.
If you are interested in the topic of free energy, you may want to read the book: "The Coming Energy Revolution: The Search for Free Energy" by Jeane Manning
So the argument in this short chapter goes:
David Wolfe writes that what we eat deeply and radically affects the way we think, feel and behave. He says that food affects every aspect of our being. If the foundation (food) is stable, all that is built upon it (the body) will be stable as well, he explains. Your physical body consists of the air your breathed, from the water you drank and from the food you ate, Wolfe says. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 78)
"Kill neither men, nor beasts, nor yet the food which goes into your mouth. For if you eat living food, the same will quicken you, but if you kill your food, the dead food will kill you also. For life comes only from life, and from death comes always death. For everything which kills your foods, kills your bodies also. And everything which kills your bodies kills your souls also. And your bodies become what your foods are, even as your spirits, likewise, become what your thoughts are. Therefore, eat not anything which fire, or frost, or water has destroyed. For burned, frozen, or rotten foods will burn, freeze and rot your body also."
- The Essene Gospel of Peace, Book 1, translated by Edmund Bordeaux Szekely, and as quoted by David Wolfe (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 75)
David Wolfe promotes what he calls a 'Sunfood Diet', by which he means a diet of whole plant foods grown under the sun. The idea is that 80% or more of your diet consists of green-leafed vegetables, sweet fruits and fatty plant foods. He believes in the power of simplicity in ideas and says that the Sunfood Diet, and the basics of good nutrition, can be summarised in three words: RAW PLANT FOOD.
The rest of the chapter is dedicated on inspiring the reader on the power of raw plant foods. At the end of the chapter there are fresh juice recipes for various remedies, from increased energy to alleviating stress and anxiety, and from a hangover to back pain.
Other points made in this chapter:
David Wolfe's idea about allergies goes against the traditional understanding of food intolerance but it is an interesting idea. He explains that if people are allergic to raw foods, such as oranges or strawberries, it means that those foods contain enzymes that act like keys which unlock poisons the body has stored away. The allergy symptom is actually the release of poison, he thinks. He proposes that such foods be introduced to the body slowly, and in small amounts, so that these poisons from the body can be slowly released. Once the toxins are released, the allergy disappears, David Wolfe writes. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 97)
While the previous chapter is one of the most interesting ones in the book, this one is less so. Not because I don't believe the existence of karma may greatly affect our lives but more because I find it hard to believe that David Wolfe would have much personal experience on the matter!
I feel that his ideas on karma are based on those of others'. Also, I don't personally believe that eating coconuts or fish brings bad karma, whereas fatty fruits and mother's breast milk have the best karma.
Of course there may be energies in food which are affected by the history of the plant/ animal but this should be something for each individual to realise and take into consideration. A definitive list will fall short of truth and fail to serve its purpose, in my opinion. Also, there are many more important considerations in daily life regarding karma than whether to eat potatoes or not!
The point about potatoes, I guess, is that ideally we would support mixed and sustainable farming instead of mass-farming of hybrid (in-bred and weakened) seeds. But that does not mean that each potato has the same karmic value. Whatabout fatty fruits, which are high on the positive karma list? Surely whether they are wild, organically farmed or laden with pesticides will make a difference to its energy?
On the positive side of karma, David Wolfe explains that once you adopt a natural diet (Sunfood Diet) an amazing synchronicity will occur. He says that seemingly unrelated events will coincide to help you in your growth and enjoyment of life. The more 'raw' you are, he says, the more you will experience synchronicity and serendipity. A 100% raw-vegetarian diet, Wolfe says, can put you in a state of never-ending 'instant manifestation'. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 118)
David Wolfe challenges the idea of evolution in this chapter. He is not the only one, as many critical writers in recent times have pointed out problems with Darwin's Theory of Evolution, for example Bruce Lipton and Steve Bhaerman in their book: 'Spontaneous Evolution: Our Positive Future and a Way to Get There from Here'. Wolfe himself recommends to read 'Forbidden Archaeology' by Michael Cremo. I haven't read it yet, though.
David Wolfe writes that the environment does not determine our inner potential - it can only help or hinder its expression. The world of Nature is really the materialization of the 'inner spiritual potential' of all living things, David writes. The inner world creates the outer world, he concludes. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 125)
Wolfe briefly references different bits of scientific proof against the Theory of Evolution. Afterwards he moves onto discussing paleolithic raw diets (where one includes raw meat in ones diet). He doesn't believe humans to be truly carnivorous because if we were, we should be able to capture wild animals without weapons and enjoy eating raw game, fish, worms, insects of all types as well as eggs. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 144-145)
Raw animal consumption, he explains, seems to be associated with poverty consciousness and the belief that killing and hardship are necessary parts of life. Thoughts of lack create lack, he says, whereas thoughts of abundance crate abundance. He seems to be alluding to an idea that meat-eaters think that killing is necessary for survival, rather than believing that we can live in peace and abundance.
In Esther and Jerry Hicks' book: 'Ask and it is Given' it is explained that if your body vibrates at a high frequency (your energy is good and strong) it attracts high vibrations to you: people, situations, thoughts, opportunities, etc. This is in accordance with the natural law that says 'like attracts like', they explain. Low vibrating energy attracts negativity. The movie 'Secret' talks about this in a more superficial way. 'Ask and It Is Given' goes into a lot more detail and practical advice.
"...every malady afflicting the human body is an impediment that preventeth the soul from manifesting its inherent might and power." - Baha'u'llah: Gleanings from the writings of Baha'u'llah (as quoted by David Wolfe on p. 157)
So every illness, according to the quote above, creates a blockage between the soul and the body.
Types of obstructions, which hinder the functioning of our bodies, and thus our minds, according to David Wolfe, are as follows:
Personally, I would like to add to these blockages 'dehydration' which slow all the processed of the body down and creates stagnation.
Other interesting anecdotes to do with detoxification:
He maintains, also, that all cooked foods make detoxification stop instantly and cause blood to become thick. But then he states that eating lightly cooked food will slow detoxification. This, to me, seems contradictory!
In any case I don't believe that all cooked food stops detox, it seems too simplistic. I think that there are so many different levels of detox. Say you are becoming a vegetarian after eating lots of meat - your body will then detox from some of the meat-toxins as long as it is not completely overburdened by other toxins at the time.
But I the next statement is probably true, where he says that eating more young coconut, avocados, nuts, and seeds with green-leafed vegetables will thicken the blood to a degree that slows detoxification. He says that this is a good way to remain on the raw food diet while being able to detoxify comfortably. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 161)
Excess mucus, according to Wolfe, is caused by constipation (clogged colon). He quotes professor Arnold Ehret on the tongue being the 'magic mirror' of health. Coated tongue shows that excess mucus has gathered in the digestive organs.
To eliminate parasites, David Wolfe advices, stop taking in animal products of all kinds (especially commercially produced) and drink only pure (ideally fresh spring) water. Raw food diet helps, as well as oxygen-rich and 'hot' foods, such as garlic, onions, hot peppers (cayenne), ginger and radishes. Black walnut hulls have apparently been used as treatment for parasites for thousands of years.
Wolfe highly recommends colonic hydrotherapy because it empties the colon completely, allows the lymph to drain, removes encrusted mucus which feeds parasites, and allows the liver to flush and cleanse. He mentions Dr. Norman Walker as an example of someone who in the second half of his life had two series of six colon cleanses done every year and lived to be 109 years old.
To overcome heavy metal poisoning or to just transport these out of your system, David Wolfe recommends consuming lots of chlorophyll, in the form of chlorella, cilantro (coriander) juice, and other green vegetable juices. He says that chlorophyll and the alkaline compounds in green-leafy vegetables combine with heavy metals and foreign chemicals in the body to form salts, which makes it possible for the body to eliminate them from the system. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 167)
In this chapter of the Sunfood Diet Success System Wolfe also offers fasting tips to rejuvenate the liver.
He then offers some inspiring words on what it is like to be fully detoxified:
David Wolfe writes that once you reach the point that your body has emptied itself out of all the toxins, then your outside appearance will alter. According to him, you will literally push out your old persona, which is your false body. While it is being purged, you will momentarily take on the appearance of this old persona and some have called it the 'alternating faces of detoxification'. After this happens, David Wolfe says, you will be a transformed person. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 170)
At the same time the world around you changes, he writes. There are no longer familiar features in the world, everything is new, Wolfe says, and continues that the world reveals itself and is incredible.
Joy will usher forth when you lighten your body of obstructions, David Wolfe writes, a joy that you have never experienced in your life. When you radiate health and vitality, you will laugh for no reason and you won't anymore draw energy and vitality from other humans, animals and plants, he promises. (Sunfood Diet Success System, p. 170)
This completes the book summary of the first half of the 'Sunfood Diet Success System'. This is to give you a taste of the book, and if you are inspired by this, I of course recommend you to buy this amazingly inspiring and broad piece of work.
David Wolfe is one of the foremost raw food "superstars" in the world. He is an educator, lecturer and a prolific writer and is very prominent in the public eye. He has a decidedly commercial approach, selling superfoods and many very exclusive, expensive health products. He conducts the "Longevity Now" -conference yearly in California, which is another pricey product but full of useful information, judging from the bits and pieces I have managed to view free on the internet. To be fair, he also publishes a lot of free information through his you tube channel and through his email newsletter.
David Wolfe's knowledge of the cutting-edge health field cannot be overlooked and I recommend not only the book reviewed here but also any other material that you can find online on in his publications. You Tube has many free videos on David Wolfe's teachings. But you will have to overlook the hype as sometimes he comes across as a little 'cheesy' and overly commercial.
If you are in the money it is probably worth buying a membership on his website.
David Wolfe lives in Hawaii and has written various books. If you join his mailing list you will regularly get useful free video snippets (as well as advertisements to buy more).
Longevity Now Conference Freebies here: Longevitydvds's You Tube Channel
David Wolfe's official website: Davidwolfe.com
Raw Food Diet Benefits
Zakhah: The Joy of Living Live
David Wolfe: Longevity Now - book summary
David Wolfe on Calcification
Brian Clement: How to Avoid Aging
Latest Articles
Most Popular Articles
Collection of Best Raw Food Articles
Juice Fasting Articles
Book Summaries
Natural Remedy Library A-Z
Edition 3.0: Cheap Revolutionary Health Ebook: 68 Natural Tricks and Methods - The Amazing Power of Small Everyday Tasks
Ulla is the Editor of Cheap Health Revolution, covering natural remedies and health solutions. Read more about Ulla and this website here: "About CHR"