RAW FOODS

[Pat]

Discussions, resources, inquiries, etc.

[Robin Ives]

Check out a terrific article in Ode magazine, September issue, about the tumultuous weight-loss and personal-growth journey of a 300-lb man who agreed to participate in a cleansing raw-foods diet guided by folks affiliated with Cafe Gratitude, a mostly raw vegan restaurant in San Francisco. His experience is the subject of the documentary "May I Be Frank?" (mayibefrankmovie.com).

[Jenn]

I know about raw diets and I have read about the health reason for going raw. The problem is when I research recipes and such I get discouraged. It just seems like there is so much work involved in preparing to make anything. Soaking and juicing and drying o-my. I have looked around on recommended sights and I love the sight that Ronda shared that has the grocery lists. Can anyone give me any advise on haw to simplify it. I don't have a juicer or dehydrater and I can't afford one at the moment. I have a good blender and food processor. What do you really need to get started and what is the simplest way to slowly ease your way into it. (My husband won't want to jump into anything as drastic as full raw) Any advise would be appriciated.

Jenn

[Anna]

I really recommend the book by Natalia Rose "Raw Food Life Force Energy". I got it from the library. She has some principles about food combining and eating "light to heavy" that really are very easy to incorporate. Basically, she wants dinner to be your "heavier" meal that would include any cooked food or meat. She has 100% raw versions but you don't have to do that. So I find that really easy. I start the day with her green juice, then eat some kind salad, veggies, etc for lunch, have a dried fruit and nut snack and then modify whatever dinner we would have to be heavy on veggies for me. I got a juicer on Craig's List and LOVE it. I'm going to get a dehydrator just because to do raw food long term I need some variety. I've been eating A LOT of salad - LOL! There are lots of books at the library about raw foods too. I have a bunch at the moment but they will be due back pretty soon.

Again, her book makes it really approachable and I feel so great!

~Anna

[Jenn]

I will have to check out the book. I haven't been eating my best lately and I'm feeling it so I feel I really needsomething to clean myself up. I can imagine all the salad you must eat. I love salad but I don't know how long I could live on salad alone. What kind of juicer did you get? I was thinking of looking around for a used one but I have heard they are a pain to clean?? I used to buy a "green" drink at the store and love it so I would love to be able to make my own. I also saw one on Oprah that Dr. Oz makes that looked good. They described it as a cup of fresh. I like the sound of that because the ones you buy at the store tend to be really thick.

Jenn

[Anna]

It sounds cheesy but it works great, I found the Jack LeLanne (sp?) stainless steel juicer. Pat has one that is similar. She thinks it's a pain to clean. I think it's easy but I use a food processor and Vita Mix almost daily so I'm always cleaning those. It's similar to a food processor to clean but I think it's a bit easier. Some people put a bag to catch the pulp and then you don't have to clean that part. I just wash it. The juice is amazing. I would never have thought I would love it so much. I really crave it in the morning. David and my oldest dd love it too.

~Anna