My Story…
My name is Åsa (pronounced Osa) Paul-Johansson and I am originally from Sweden. I now live in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where I teach people about raw foods, and I also offer lectures occasionally in Sweden too.
My raw foods journey all started when I read an article about 30 years ago, which stated that studies had shown that broccoli could help prevent cancer. I found that concept to be amazing, and that really got me thinking. So I began to educate myself on the hidden powers of natural foods.
My Passion…
I am proud to say that I have a great passion. It is raw foods and inspiring people to share this exciting way of life. When I started with a high-raw-vegan diet (as it sometimes is called) and felt and saw all the little changes for the better in me, I became very excited. Naturally I wanted to share this with everyone I knew. Why couldn’t they also have a life full of energy without aches and pains, just by making some changes to what they ate? My family did not completely embrace my enthusiasm then, and today they still might not always eat healthy every day, but they know with certainty that the key to health is theirs and now they have the knowledge how to use it. And this is one of the greatest tools to have. And that is what I want for you too. Raw foods is indeed my passion and this is what I am about.
Why I eat the best foods!
Eating mostly raw (80% or more) plant foods, only “clicked” for me about five years ago. It took me a long time to get here, but now there is no turning back. When I changed to a raw foods diet, I experienced all the wonderful attributes that comes with mostly eating natural, wholesome and fresh foods. I had:
more energy- better sleep
- radiant skin with fewer wrinkles
- lost the extra weight (without effort!)
- aches and pains disappearing
- stronger immune system
- became more youthful
- and the best one for me:
- a constant happy feeling like a strong joyous foundation to stand on I could never go back to the Standard American Diet (sad!) again.
Why “On the Lime”…?
Since I live in southern Florida where you find the small Key Lime fruits growing, I thought it quite fitting to choose our native lime. Such a magnificent fruit it is, proving good things come in small and unexpected packages. And also, “On the Lime” is a little twist on the idea of life being “on the line…” for when it comes to making good food choices, your health and well-being mostly definitely are… First, the tiny lime is a powerful fruit and such an important ingredient in so many raw food dishes. It could be used for instance to:
- enhance other flavors in a dish
- keep foods fresh longer
- prevent fruits and veggies to oxidize (become brown, as when you cut an apple in half)
- add citrus taste and “gusto”
- marinate to soften hard foods
The green lime zest is wonderful also, not only for decorating, but gives a pleasing boost to sweet dishes. But second, and even more importantly, lime juice (as well as lemon) also:
has strong antiparasitic and antiseptic properties- is perfect for cleansing, not only internal, but is great for cleaning your cutting boards and countertops too
- shrinks the mucous membranes due to the astringent qualities (good for gargling a sore throat)
- acts like a decalcifyer breaking up the “bad” calcium in your body, the kind that makes your arteries hard, your joints stiff, makes you hard of hearing etc
- is one of the best ways to start your day for its ability to alkalize and balance your pH levels
- is great for the liver, stimulating detoxification and giving it a kick-start. Why not – it could probably need it!
- And finally, last but not least, lime is rich in Vitamin C.
Raw Foods today…
Today there is such a wealth of information out there for us to use as the idea is catching on about the benefits of raw foods. There is a wonderful array of kitchen equipment to make the preparation easier to do, an abundance of 
interesting and tasty raw foods recipe books, creative chefs that make gourmet vibrant foods, new exciting ingredients, educators with the latest research, you-tube video clips to watch and sooo much more knowledge available to us. The public awareness, that you are responsible for your health, is growing. This is all great, but for busy people, where and how do they start towards an improved and healthier lifestyle?
What is your health worth to you?
Well, since you have read this far, you are most likely seeking a better way to eat and live, and might already be on your way towards improving your life. Now the question you need answered is how to start? All change takes time, but you can begin with a few simple, easy steps that will lead to your own journey of self-healing and renewal. It is all about living the best, happiest, healthiest life possible…
Just follow these steps…
Visit On the Lime‘s website and read the blogs.- Subscribe to the monthly newsletter (since we all have busy lives, I will keep it very short with only the most valuable raw food information; be it local news, seasonal recipes or the latest in the raw food world). You will not receive any spam, via On the Lime, promise!
- Come and listen to a raw foods introduction or lecture, join a raw foods class or let me be your inspirational coach.
- Learn how you without effort can incorporate eating the best foods into your life. Be inspired and discover simple tasty recipes and quick ways and techniques to prepare your meals. I have classes in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and occasionally in Sweden. I look forward to meeting you!
Change your future (and the world)
- one meal at a time!
Åsa
About my name…
Åsa is not the simplest or easiest to pronounce, write or remember – sorry about that! I am quite fond of the Swedish name my loving parents gave me though. It means something like Viking goddess, so I should feel proud, right? The Scandinavian letter “Å” is pronounced like the letter “A” in RAW. Makes it a little bit easier to figure out. However please do not spell it Osa, since in Swedish it means the smell or odor of cooking or grilling foods. Not something I want to be identified with nowadays, right? Me being into raw foods! Isn’t life funny?
By the way, I am also a daughter, sister, wife, mother and now proud grand-mother!