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The Rice Diet Program, unlike the stereotypical, four-letter word diet, is much more than a eating plan that you 'go on and off.' The Rice Diet Program is a dieta, a word that comes from ancient Greek, which means a 'way of life' that promotes health and healing. Participants at our program in Durham are inspired to choose and maintain their health-promoting, disease-reversing dieta, with the guidance of our expert medical staff and our loving and supportive environment of fellow 'Ricers.' The self-appointed term 'Ricer' includes anyone committed to living the Rice dieta, and now many who have done so without ever physically coming to our center. The Rice Diet Solution and The Rice Diet Cookbook outline specifically how to create at home the aspects of the program that enhance not only one's physical health parameters, but also the emotional and spiritual 'shifts in consciousness' that fuel Ricer's unparalleled, long-term successes.
Becoming conscious of what we consume is a powerful requirement for successful, sustainable results. Our didactic classes inform participants on the health benefits of our low-sodium and low-saturated fat diet, regular exercise, and an understanding of how the brain can co-create disease, addiction or health to a greater extent than we have previously believed. And, through comprehensive and varied practices of many paths and tools for the healing journey, participants are encouraged to explore them all and commit to a few they personally find most productive and helpful. From yoga, tai chi, meditation, and journalizing to 'inner healing' groups, where possible emotional and spiritual root causes of underlying physical symptoms are discussed and explored, Ricers are led into a personal examination of who and where they are, and what dreams they desire to co-create in their health and life.
Although eating primarily whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables and eating less meat, saturated fat and sodium are by far the most important dietary changes we can make for our health, participants are also inspired by the latest research that emphasizes the importance of healing ourselves and our foods at a deeper level – at the roots. Hundreds of research studies have scientifically shown the superior value of organic food. These studies have found that pesticide residues are rarely found in organic crops, and on average, these crops have higher vitamin, mineral, and phyto-nutrient content. The Rice Diet Cookbook quotes numerous studies which have inspired us to dramatically reduce our consumption of non-organic foods, not only due to concerns for our intake of pesticides, insecticides and other chemicals, but also for the many growing concerns for genetically engineered (GE) foods. After viewing "The Future of Food" documentary, Ricers begin to understand that our financially-fueled political and agri-business machines have steered our food supply into very unhealthy terrain. The more mindful and conscious we become of what we really are consuming, the less desirable non-organic, processed foods become. This knowledge on the fundamental health of our food supply is a natural awakening that inevitably inspires mindful dietary choices and, thus, sustainable health improvements. Again, this is about a dieta, a way of life, not a calorie, fat or sodium restricted food plan.
At the Rice Diet Program we also offer a 'hands on' experience at a cutting edge organic farm, where the profound and multi-faceted benefits of choosing locally grown, organic foods are appreciated first-hand. After a trip to a 'Community Supported Agriculture' (CSA) farm, Ricers understand the difference between 'industrial organic' and locally and consciously grown organic foods, sometimes referred to as 'beyond organic.' The importance of consuming primarily organic, local foods quickly becomes apparent as we become aware of the financial and environmental consequences of unconsciously consuming foods that travel 1,500-1,800 miles to reach the average American plate. Why would one consciously waste that much petroleum product and contribute that much to our global warming crisis, when we can alleviate many inter-connective problems by addressing the root of the problem? Supporting sustainable, organic agriculture heals the root of our agri-business catastrophe, like addressing and healing the root of our eating disorders and other food-driven diseases is the only viable and effective approach to sustaining health. Our conscious consumption in all arenas greatly inspires and sustains healthy dietas. The dieta expands beyond the food itself to educate and inspire participants to wake up to how every food purchase we make, and every bite we take, affects us personally, as well as locally and globally.
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