Here we will share with you our knowledge and definitions about the different terms that fly around in the culinary arts and frequent our daily dialogues. Highlighted words in other areas of Good Eats will refer you back here for demystification.

Vegetarian - (as defined by Barron’s “Food Lover’s Companion”)- One who avoids consuming meat or other animal foods. However, vegetarianism, which has been practiced since ancient times, is certainly not one-faceted. The wide-ranging custom of vegetarianism may be based on a variety of personal principles including religious, ethical, nutritional and economic. There are several types of vegetarians today…

Vegan - the purists of the sub-culture who refuse to eat any animal-derivative foods including butter, cheese, eggs and milk. Strict vegans choose not to eat honey or wear animal by-products such as leather.

Ovo-lacto - these folks will eat such animal-related foods but won’t eat meat.

Macrobiotic - A grain and vegetable diet based on Oriental traditions with a dietary philosophy focusing on health and longevity. It’s based on correct preparatioin, high quality, unrefined regional and seasonal foods, including minimal animal products, avoiding too many food combinations. George Ohsawa (one of the founding fathers of macrobiotics) considered anyone who is truly healthy and happy to be macrobiotic regardless of what he our she ate.

Raw Food – A diet with principles literally based on uncooked, unpasteurized, unrefined good ol’ fashioned food the way it was put on the planet before there was fire.

Living Food – Based on a raw whole foods diet including fermented, steamed (not cooked over 108° F), dehydrated and sprouted foods with the life force (enzymes, nutrients and vitamins) still in tact.

Flowtarian - (We made this one up!) One that is sensitive and insightful to the fluctuating needs to serve the body, mind and spirit and the geographical, emotional and spiritual location of that body.

If you must catagorize us, we’d qualify as raw food, vegans who flow with the ever-changing aspects of our lives. We eat predominantly raw food, consume honey and enjoy a balanced diet. We’ve found the key is to remain joyous about the journey of variations, modification and evolution in any dietary path as it unravels and exposes old habits and releases the truths about who we are. Trust and relaxation complimented by sensible flexibility is a formula for longevity. There are so many elements in a constantly changing environment that merit a personal recipe for success.