In this special five-part series, Joanna Steven uncovers where some top vegetarian athletes get their protein. Here's part two, focusing on Koya Webb's take on this issue.

ALMONDS

?The greater the percentage of raw food in the diet, the greater the health benefits? is Koya Webb, fitness model, personal trainer, triathlete and body builder's personal motto. Koya's sculpted physique won 1st place in the Ultimate Fitness Events "Fitness Model" and "Bikini Model" competitions and has modeled for Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Muscle and Fitness, Her Sports, Royal Caribbean and Triathlete magazine, to name a few. As a living-foodist (one who eats 60% or more uncooked veggies, nuts, seeds, and super foods) Koya believes eating all natural ?fruits of the earth? can help heal cancer, diabetes, and other diseases plaguing our society today.

As a certified personal trainer, Koya is improving her clients' lifestyles by providing exercise prescriptions, healthy diets, fitness training, professional advice, and aerobics classes through her company, Lifestyle Revelations. Koya holds a bachelor s degree in Exercise Science and uses this knowledge to give people the science behind living a healthy lifestyle. She is a published author and shares her personal raw recipe preferences in the book, Koya's Kuisine.

She has tested her wits in Fear Factor and recently American Gladiator to prove that a strong mind and spirit are as essential as a strong body. After a strained Achilles halted her training for the Olympics in the 400 hurdles, Koya began cycling and swimming everyday to speed her recovery, and since has competed in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon. This Track and Field and High Jump Champion knows how to get the best out of her sport and her lifestyle.

"I absolutely love almonds! I soak them for six hours and can make every meal of day ?protein packed? with these nutritious sources of balanced fat and protein. I make Pina Coladas, broccoli casserole, and apple pie to name a few."

Almonds* are phytochemical powerhouses - containing massive amounts of this natural compound, effectively lowering cholesterol with the same effect as the drugs called statins. Patients eating nuts five times a week have a 50% reduction in risk of heart attack and as the best whole food source of vitamin E, in the form of tocopherol, almonds may even help prevent cancer. Almonds' high calcium and magnesium contents are good for strong bones, with 18 grams of protein per 3 oz serving - the same as fish fillet or steak, but without the detrimental fats.

*NOTE: in September of 2007, without public notification, the FDA required that all almonds sold in the United States, Canada, and Mexico be pasteurized. With no truth in labeling, almonds may still be labeled "raw," but are not unless purchased directly from certain almond orchards that still offer truly raw almonds.

[As a side note, we at Pure Jeevan order our almonds from Natural Zing and TheRawFoodWorld, both of which offer repackaged, truly raw, sproutable almonds -- obtained in bulk directly from the growers. We're also aware of raw almond snack makers such as Seth Leaf and Davy (The Almond Brothers), makers of LivingNutz, another truly raw almond product. Feel free to leave comments if you know of other almond vendors or almond snack producers who use truly raw, sproutable almonds!]

Return tomorrow for Part 3 of Joanna Steven's Animal-free Protein series!