Posts Tagged ‘raw food diet’

I’ve seen it many times: one person decides to go raw, but their spouse or partner isn’t on board. This causes undue friction, arguments, and problems.

Photo by Melissa Maples

Then what used to be a perfectly happy couple turns into a quarreling relationship. All over the seemingly simple topic of food.

If this situation sounds a little too familiar, don’t worry I’ve been there before. In fact, after I decided to go raw my boyfriend Robin and I almost broke up. We were two compatible people that had suddenly developed incompatible lifestyles.

How to Mend The Food Divide

Time and again I’ve heard that it’s easier to get someone to change their culture, their language, their political standpoint, and their religion than it is to get them to change their diet.

Unfortunately for us, that reality is not likely to change in the next few minutes while we’re talking about it.

So what’s a gal to do if she wants her boyfriend to eat more raw food? Or what’s a man to do if he wants to embrace a high raw or all raw lifestyle, but his wife thinks he’s gone off the deep end?

You’ve got to mend the food divide.

You can learn all the tips and tricks in the world on how to eat raw while going to non-raw restaurants, how to make raw desserts, how to use a dehydrator to make raw snacks that resemble commercial ones… But unless you mend the food divide, your relationship will remain shaken.

Food as Display of Affection

Before going raw, Robin and I used to share cooking duties. If he was cooking I would wash and prepare the vegetables, rice, and so on. If I was cooking (which was rare, since I wasn’t a good cook!) it usually meant baking or making an instant meal.

After I discovered raw food, everything went topsy turvy. Suddenly I was the one making most of the food, and Robin felt slighted.

There’s something inherently rewarding in making food for the person you love.

If you decide to increase your raw food intake you may inadvertently rob your partner’s chance to show their love by preparing food for you.

No wonder changing your diet creates so much chaos!

10 Ways to Solve The Food Divide So You Can Have Harmony At The Dining Table

Luckily, Robin and I found a way to make the changes work for both of us. And we’re ready to share the details with you. I’ve also enlisted the help of the lovely Annie Lin, a certified relationship coach.

We’re holding a free teleseminar about this very important topic, happening January 21st at 8pm ET / 5pm PT.

Sign up and get the details for the call here.

The call will be recorded and made available as a recording. So make sure to get on the list so you receive your recording after the call!

Resolutions… New Year’s Resolutions… Doesn’t that just bring up weird emotions like guilt, resentment, and so on? Yuck, no thanks.

This year I’ve decided to just pick one word to guide me in 2010. If I had to pick a word for last year, it would probably be the word: growing.

I grew a bountiful garden, grew my raw food business, and planted some roots in my new home in Toronto, Canada.

Word for 2010: Confidence

One thing that has been monumental in all of these endeavors was confidence. As a Virgo, I tend to let things affect my self-confidence, even though I know better intellectually.

Growing a garden takes confidence because you need to trust that the seeds you plant will grow into delicious food for you and your family. You also need to have confidence that the squirrels and bugs won’t get all of it before you do.

Growing a business definitely takes confidence. I spent far too much time second guessing myself and my business decisions last year. No more. I know what needs to be done, how to make things happen, and how to serve people. I just need to trust in my ability to do it, without doubting myself.

Moving to Toronto didn’t take that much thought, I mean it was the logical step. However I let myself get sucked into the uncertainty that we might not be living in Toronto for a long time and that derailed me. Now I say live in the moment and don’t worry, because 90% of worries never materialize anyways.

Things to Let Go Of

Along with a word and theme for 2010, I’m also making a list of things that I am ready to let go of. I’m giving myself permission to release these things.

• My need to constantly be on the look-out for the next best thing, the next best idea, etc. (This doesn’t mean I’m going to stop learning, but that I will learn in a more intentional way instead.)
• My crazy “fire hose in mouth” absorption of non-fiction books. Giving myself permission to read fiction for the fun of it.
• Guilt trips over not exercising enough.
• The need to always have everything under control. It’s not possible, and it would be too much to handle even if it was.
• All those “shoulds” that I hang over myself.
• My overbearing perfectionism. Good is good enough.
• Friends or acquaintances that no longer serve or nurture me.
• Trying to be uber-indepedent do-it-yourself superwoman all the time. I’m going to ask for help when I need it, and humbly receive it.
• Worry. No more worrying, it’s just bad mojo.

Now It’s Your Turn

I encourage you to come up with a word for 2010. It’s also a very empowering exercise to let go of things that no longer serve you.

If you’d like a little help to make this process more magickal, my dear friend Goddess Leonie has put together a delicious workbook and planner. Take a look!

Plan Your Year & Make Magick Happen in 2010

2010: Creating My Goddess Year workbook & planner is Goddess Leonie’s latest masterpiece! It’s filled with 40 pages of worksheets to help you dream, manifest, set your intentions, plan & cultivate your amazing new year.

It’s handwritten & illustrated… perfect for you to print out, soak up the rainbow colors of, and make 2010 your gorgeous goddess year.

This makes the best self-nurturing gift for all of you busy-ladies who have a hard time to take time for yourself. (That includes me!) Check out the beautifulness. :)

May Your 2010 Be Truly Magickal!

January

In January I was on a trip in China and Korea, with my boyfriend Robin. The idea for The Raw Foods Witch web site was still marinating in my mind. I was blogging as The Billionaire Woman.

February

The Raw Food Switch web site was created. Note that the site was actually called Raw Food Switch and not Raw Foods Witch. That little witchy switch took place later on.

In February I shared the story of how I went from junk foodist to raw foodist, and how I stopped taking birth control pills.

March

I filmed a video about Eating Raw Food in the Winter. I also shared some of my first few simple raw food recipes like my quick video on how to make beet juice.

April

In April I started a series on the benefits of eating raw food. Some of the articles were about using raw food for weight loss, and how more college students are turning to raw food to increase their performance.

May

In May my boyfriend Robin showed you how to make a Chinese inspired Raw Ragu recipe to trump all salads. I also shared my views about eating 100% raw vs. eating a high raw diet.

I maintain that it’s not necessary to eat 100% raw to enjoy the benefits of raw food.

June

In June I shared the 9 ways that raw food changed my life. Then I uploaded a video of my garden, and a video of my speech about the beautiful tropical fruit called durian.

Then I wrote a cheeky article that hypothesized that it is easier to become raw than to become vegan.

June was also the month that Raw Food Switch became the Raw Foods Witch. :)

July

In July I went back to basics and explained what is the raw food diet.

In one of my most popular articles to date, I shared the 13 Witchy Ways Green Smoothies Make You Feel Good in 13 Minutes or Less. Yum, yum.

I also weighed in on the debate over organic food, and shared in the advantages and disadvantages of organic food.

August

August saw the harvest from the garden and so I explained what a raw food dehydrator is. I also shared 21 Ways to Sneak More Vegetables Into Your Day, because we all know that eating more veggies is good for us but putting it into practice isn’t always so easy.

I also answered 2 of the most commonly asked questions: Is it better to blend or to juice? And whether a certain symptom is just detox or not, in my article on Raw Food Detox: The Myth, The Madness… The Magick?!.

September

In September I opened up more and shared the story behind why I started eating raw food and what has happened since then.

I posted my video on how to grow sprouts, with some written guidelines as well. Then I shared some of my insights on food cravings, why we have them, and what to do about them.

October

October was a busy month for The Raw Foods Witch. First, I wrote about the difference between healthy food and unhealthy food.

Then I released my shiny “28 Desserts You Can Eat Every Day” ebook. Grab yourself a copy if you haven’t already.

October was also the month I posted my Raw Pumpkin Pie recipe with a quick video to show you how to make it.

November

In November I undertook the master cleanse. I talked about a lot of detoxing techniques like the salt water flush, dry skin brushing, and how much water to drink per day.

I shared the results from my master cleanse. Then I posted happy photos and talked about eating out at restaurants while staying raw.

December

December was all about celebrating the season. I posted the raw food gift guide to help people shop for the raw foodies in their circle.

I explained the benefits of goji berries, and gave away my secret to buying them for a good price.

December seemed like a good time to answer another question I get asked a lot: what is a raw food coach?

And finally, I posted a super fun raw christmas recipe – the raw snowman!

What’s in Store for 2010?

I hope you had a great 2009, and are looking forward to a fantastic 2010. I’m wishing you nothing but the best in health, joy, and prosperity.

Love,

This is a question I get asked whenever I explain what it is that I do. What do you do when you coach people who want to eat more raw food, and not necessarily 100% raw? What is a raw food coach exactly?

Let me illustrate this with…

The Unavoidable Sports Metaphor

Look, I hate sports metaphors as much as the next gal. But here’s the deal: all of us can use a coach at one point or another in our lives.

A teacher. A mentor. An adviser. A consultant. A coach.

You might not know this, but I’m a black belt in the martial art of Tae Kwon Do. As a youngster I used to compete in tournaments, and even went as far as the United States Nationals.

My favorite part of competing was the patterns competition. Though I did enjoy my share of sparring.

Until quite recently, I don’t think I ever really appreciated the importance of having a coach. In the ring, when you’re fighting and just trying to catch your breath you really don’t think about your coach much.

When you win, you don’t attribute it to your coach. If you lose, you don’t blame your coach. You know you’re the one doing the butt kicking (and receiving it!).

But it sure feels good to know that there’s someone on your side. Someone watching your back. Someone who is keeping her eyes on your strengths and weaknesses, and telling you about it.

Your coach has a higher vantage point than you do. Instead of being caught up in all the action, your coach can see what’s coming. She knows what you need and she can guide you to excel.

On top of all that, your coach is experienced. More insights, a sharper eye, and targeted advice just for you.

Who Needs a Coach, Anyway?

We’ve all become accustomed to the idea of athletes getting coached. Tiger Woods, one of the best golf players of all time still has a coach.

Do you think that Tiger Woods could do alright without coaching? Sure he could. But he doesn’t, because he is committed to being his best and he knows a coach is the way to keep him accountable and continuously growing.

Actors get acting coaches, business owners get business consultants, and yes if you want to eat healthy high-raw meals you get a raw food coach.

When Things are Humming Along

I remember after I first went raw as an experiment for 30 days, I felt incredible! I was practically floating. I was getting better grades, losing that excess weight… and just feeling good in general.

That’s when I decided to “indulge”. While in New York City, my mom and I decided to visit The Magnolia Bakery. I hadn’t had anything super sugary (other than my beloved raw treats and desserts) for at least two months by then.

I ate three bites of a chocolate cupcake. It was the cutest cupcake I’d ever seen. But my body had such a violent reaction, I instantly regretted it.

I got the worse rash I had ever seen. My stomach got completely red, full of little bumps. I didn’t feel so hot myself, and I just put the rest of it back in the box.

Honestly, I realized it wasn’t worth hurting myself over a cupcake. Not when there were plenty of delicious and healthy raw alternatives. The type that didn’t give me major rashes or cause me to breakout like nobody’s business.

Woops, There Goes the Wagon – and You’re Not On It Anymore

Photo by Renee

I’ve fallen off the wagon many times. I’ve had those days (or weeks!) when I thought maybe this whole raw food thing wasn’t for me.

Then there were times when I just wished I could get back into eating more raw foods. I literally stayed awake in bed imagining eating sweet and savory foods.

I didn’t have anyone to keep me accountable or keep me on track when I was going raw. I had never even heard of coaching at the time, well except for sports coaches.

A Raw Food Coach Can Keep You Accountable

Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables has been the biggest turning point in my life. There were times I wish I had someone to keep me accountable, to listen to my binging horror stories, and to steer me in the right direction.

Luckily, I learned from my mistakes along the way. Now I can help others who may be struggling with their direction and old habits.

If you’d be interested in learning more about raw food coaching, leave a comment below or email me and we’ll go from there.

Snowy the Raw Vegan Snowman

It’s a snowy winter holiday, and what’s a raw vegan gal to do? Make fun snow-people out of all raw ingredients of course!

This is a super simple, delicious, and fun activity that you can enjoy with your whole family. Once you get the hang of making snow men, you can also make snow families, and even venture out into making raw gingerbread houses.

This is also a great dessert to bring to events, just be sure to find a humane way of cutting our little snow friend.

Raw Snowman Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cup cashews
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 6-10 dates
• Unsweetened coconut flakes

For decorations…

• Grape stems for the arms
• Pumpkin seeds for the eyes (substitute as necessary)
• Goji berry for the nose
• Chia seeds for the mouth
• Mung (green) beans for the buttons
• Extra sprinkles of coconut flakes for extra fun
• Cinnamon stick to hold as a prop

How to Make this Raw Holiday Recipe

1. Place dry cashews into a food processor, magic bullet, or high speed blender (like a vitamix) and process until it looks like flour. Or is finely chopped. It doesn’t need to be perfect here. Remove from food processor and set aside in a mixing bowl.
2. In the same food processor, or blender add the lemon juice, the dates, and a few sprinkles of coconut flakes. (This is to help the machine process properly, and so that it doesn’t spin with all the food under the blade.)
3. Put the lemon-date mixture into the cashew flour and mix together with a spoon. At this point you should have something that resembles dough.
4. Take a handful of dough and roll into a ball. Repeat for a total of three balls.
5. Take each ball and roll it in some extra coconut flakes to add that snowy white feel to it.
6. Stack the largest cashew ball on the bottom, the medium one next, and the smallest one on top.

How to Make Raw Dessert Decorations

Now you’ve got the makings for a great snowman! It’s time to add the finishing touches that are really going to make this little guy come alive. (Well, he is alive… it’s all live food. Haha.)

1. Use grape stems for the arms, and simply push them into the sides of the trunk.
2. Place 2 seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, etc) for the eyes. Notice how this actually gives the face some depth too.
3. Add a goji berry for the nose.
4. Use chia seeds for the mouth. This one was tricky, and I used a spoon to stick the seeds in a round shape. Another idea might be to use a toothpick or fork.
5. For the buttons, push in a set of mung beans. You could use other nuts or seeds too.
6. Just for fun, add a cinnamon stick in one of the hands. I figured a cinnamon stick looked like a rolled up “crazy carpet”. I used to slide down the snowy hills in those things as a kid, but maybe that’s just me.

How To Eat Your Snow-People

Okay, so it looks great but it’s a pretty big portion to eat all on your own. You can definitely slice this snowman, or even reshape it into balls or cookies.

You don’t need to dehydrate this dessert at all, and it will naturally dry out if you leave it out. If you’d like to preserve it, you can freeze it in a sealed container. Simply let it thaw out before you eat it.

And yes, I realize the irony of freezing a snowman and thawing it out before you eat it. ;)

What Other Holiday Treats Have You Got in Store?

What are you planning to make this holiday season? If you’re not sure you have everything you need to make this recipe, drop a hint to Santa about the Holiday Gift Guide!

Happy Holidays!

This is an extremely hard blog post for me to write. In fact I was going to write an entirely different blog post, but I couldn’t get the writing to flow… so I knew I had to follow my heart, and share this vulnerable side with you.

Running Away from the Dentist

Photo by Woodley Wonderworks

You see, I’ve never had great teeth.

I’ve been going to the dentist for fillings ever since I can remember. My parents didn’t have great teeth, and maybe it’s a combination of genetics, and bad food choices from my childhood days.

As you may recall I was the cookie monster and I ate so much candy when I was little.

I never saw my photo on the wall with all those happy kids who were cavity-free.

It didn’t help that my first dentist was a little rough around the edges. After my dad brought me to the dentist one time and I cried too much, the dentist kindly asked that my mom do all the dentist duty from then on.

The truth is that too many of my teeth have been filled with amalgam fillings. You know the ones that leech mercury into your body? They’re also pretty ugly, all metallic and dark.

Then comes orthodontia…

To make my relationship with my dentist even more rocky, I also had a bunch of teeth pulled when I got braces.

I’ve had a total of 7 teeth pulled, including 3 whisdom teeth. (Don’t ask why they decided to keep the last one.)

I don’t have a lot of teeth compared to most people. When I first went raw I thought I was doing the best thing for my teeth. After all, raw food is good for your body, and bones are part of the body right?

I thought I was so immune to health problems since I was eating more raw food, and really taking care of myself. I mean I was brushing 3 to 4 times a day, flossing with dental tape regularly, and swishing after every meal.

Yet when I went to the dentist last summer I had to have a root canal. Yuck! Never again. That was the turning point for me.

Becoming an Adult

It’s not about teeth, or health, or any of that stuff. It’s about becoming an adult, being honest with myself, and taking full responsibility.

You know how it’s easy to ignore that you’re in debt when you only pay the minimum balance on your credit cards? The same is true when you ignore slight tooth pains, or your check ups at the dentist.

I’ve read a lot of information about eating a raw food diet and maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

The Weston Price folks say you need to eat raw dairy products and raw eggs. I gave that a try for awhile, but didn’t feel so good. (I’m always evolving, and I don’t claim to have all the answers. If raw milk works for you, all the better!)

One of the things I learned from this video is that raw foodists tend to think themselves impurvious to health challenges, even around their teeth.

The sad truth is that when you’re eating more healthy fruit sugars, the bacteria in your mouth is actually thriving. None of that fake sugar can compare to the real deal, and that’s good for your body but also good for the bacteria between your teeth.

Replacing Amalgam Fillings

Photo by Kevin Trudo

I’m really glad to have gone to a holistic dentist for my root canal, since she is helping me to remove all my old amalgam fillings. Last week I had an old amalgam filling replaced and I had a cavity growing underneath.

I have 3 more to go, and I also need to go for a full check-up and clean up. I used to absolutely hate going to the dentist.

Now it’s my responsibility. I take myself willingly to the dentist because I know that there is still the possibility of developing cavities while eating raw. Especially because of the not-so-good start that I had as a child.

So if you’re experiencing sensitive teeth, or you’re worried about your old amalgam fillings I urge you to find a holistic dentist.

Book that appointment, no shame, no blame.

I’m finding out the hard way that it’s never too late to really take your health seriously, and really make the most of what you’ve got. And your teeth are pretty precious.

How to Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Here are some of the things I do now to maintain my healthy teeth and gums:

• Floss with Dental Tape: Dental tape is thicker than regular floss, and it removes more stuff from between your teeth. Make sure to floss below the gum line, because it’s usually where the stuff hides.
• Brush with Tooth Soap: Although I haven’t experienced any teeth growing back or cavities reversing, many people who use tooth soap have had great experiences. If you don’t know what tooth soap is, check it out here.
• Rinse with Ecodent Mouthwash: None of that alcohol content, but all of the bacteria killing power. At least that’s what the bottle says. I’ve been using this Ecodent mouthwash for a little over a month now, and it’s very refreshing.
• Oil Pulling: Swishing cold pressed sesame seed or sunflower seed oil in your mouth slowly for 15-20 minutes, then spitting it out. Rinse again with fresh water a few times. Be sure not to swallow the oil. This is great for whitening teeth, and strengthening gums.
• Going to the Dentist: A lot of web sites teach you all of these alternative methods for taking care of your teeth, but this one is usually not on the list. Honestly, I regret not making dentist appointments a priority in my life even while I was traveling abroad and living the carefree raw foodie lifestyle.
• Eating Lots of Leafy Greens: So I already did this with green smoothies, but I didn’t realize how important it was when I first went raw. Eating more greens and less fruit is the way to make sure you’ve got lots of minerals to keep your teeth healthy.
• Keeping Citrus Fruit to a Minimum: This one is kind of interesting. The idea is to keep citrus fruit to a few times per week. The trick is also to brush your teeth before you eat citrus, since citrus actually makes the enamel on your teeth softer and more prone to pain after brushing.
• Keeping Nuts and Dried Fruit to a Minimum: These foods get stuck between your teeth and create food for bacteria. It’s something I’m personally still working on, since you know I love my raw sweets and those usually involve dried fruit and nuts.

What have been your experiences?

Did you experience tooth sensitivity, or cavities while eating raw food? I want to know!

It’s only by speaking up and sharing our experiences that we can find what works for each of us. I hope you learned from my story, because it’s not easy for me to admit that I’ve had tooth issues for the majority of my life.

If you eat lots of raw food, or know of someone who does then this list will help you pick the perfect gift this holiday season. This easy to follow raw food gift buying guide will come in handy this Christmas season.

One thing to keep in mind though, is that people who eat more raw food or are into environmental causes prefer to tread lightly on the earth. So only buy them something if you know they will appreciate the gesture. :)

Raw Food Books & Stocking Stuffers

Great Raw Food Books that make great Gifts

Alright, so I’m a huge book worm. If you’ve watched any of my more recent videos you know what my bookcase looks like. I personally love looking through raw recipe books for inspiration and to spice up my kitchen routines.

That being said, always check to make sure the person you are buying a gift for doesn’t already have the book you’re getting them. :)

Here are a bunch of great raw themed books that will be a sure hit this Christmas!

• RAWvolution: Gourmet Living Cuisine: Recommended by @CarlaRose as a great coffee table book.
• Living Raw Food: Get the Glow with More Recipes from Pure Food and Wine: Sarma’s new book is also another gorgeous photo filled recipe book.
• Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen: Easy, Delectable Living Foods Recipes: A great starting guide to raw with lots of yummy recipes.
• Ani’s Raw Food Desserts: 85 Easy, Delectable Sweets and Treats: More dessert recipes, because honestly who can say no to raw desserts that are this good?
• Raw Food/Real World: 100 Recipes to Get the Glow: The first book by Sarma and Matthew, a dazzling array of photos and recipes.
• The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health.
• Raw Food Made Easy For 1 or 2 People: Simple raw recipes that taste great, what more could you really ask for?
• The Raw Gourmet: This is one of the classics, written before most other raw food books and still standing the test of time.
• Green for Life: This is the perfect gift for anyone who doesn’t currently eat a lot of leafy greens. A super short read that can truly change lives.
• Sweet Gratitude: A New World of Raw Desserts: Cafe Gratitude desserts are some of my favorite, and this book shares their recipes. Yum!
• Everyday Raw: Another great raw food recipe book by Matthew, that will tantalize your taste buds.
• I Am Grateful: Recipes and Lifestyle of Cafe Gratitude: This book is perfect for the Cafe Gratitude fans in your life. Or for those who have yet to experience the Cafe’s special vibe.

Dry Skin Body Brush

If you’ve read my post on the benefits of dry skin brushing then you’ll know that most raw food lovers will enjoy this gift.

Here’s the gist of it: dry skin brushing is great for removing toxins from the skin, allowing for lymph circulation, reversing cellulite, and getting smoother skin.

I recommend the Purest Palm Body Brush, it’s the one I use every day.

Salad On the Go Containers

This makes a great gift for anyone, regardless of whether or not they have kids. It’s a great container that you can bring with you whenever you travel, or even if you’re out and about for the day.

The lid allows you to store a salad dressing, and you can pack a delicious salad in the main compartment. Never worry about leakage or soggy salads again! Get the Aladdin Chill & Go for yourself, or for the health conscious friend who is often on the go.

A Case of Larabars

When I asked what makes a good gift for fellow raw foodies on Twitter, @LuvSchweetHeart recommended a case of Larabars. I thought it was a brilliant idea, and with so many flavors to choose from you can’t go wrong.

My favorite type of Larabar is the Cashew Cookie. It’s just got the best balance of chewiness and the flavor isn’t too overpowering. You can buy a whole case of Cashew Cookie Larabars online and have them shipped before Christmas!

Handmade Raw Chocolate Treats

Gnosis Chocolate offers a variety of handmade raw chocolate bars. You can order online, and have mouth watering chocolate in time for the holidays!

Shazzie’s Chocolate bars are full of superfood goodness, and are perfect if you live in the UK. There’s a flavor for the goddess in you and for the goddess in your raw food friend or partner.

One lucky duck treats are great if you live in New York City, but they also offer shipping. Why not treat your raw foodie with some delectable desserts and hand made cookies.

Nut Milk Bags & Sprouting Bags

I’m a big fan of making your own nut milks, and sprouting your own sprouts. If the raw foodie in your life has yet to explore these new ways to “cooking” then getting them a nut milk bag is the way to go!

You can buy the kind of Nut Milk Bag that I buy here, they are handmade in Vermont. I met the lovely lady who makes them, and it really made my day to know I’m helping local people every time I make some nut milk or sprout some mung beans.

Raw Food Appliances Make Very Generous Gifts

When I surveyed Twitter, @NaomiNiles recommended kitchen appliances and tools, and I totally agree! Some of my kitchen appliances came as gifts and I couldn’t have been a happier little witch. :)

The Cadillac of Blenders: The Vitamix

The Vita-Mix or sometimes known as the Vitamixer is definitely a top of the line blender. I know several people who are asking for one from Santa, too.

I got my first brand new vitamix this year and I cannot see myself going back to my old blender.

Yes, it’s expensive. But if you’re spending money anyway, you might as well get something that will last. The vitamix comes with a crazy 7 year warranty, a 30 day no risk money back guarantee, and they’re even offering a 3 payment plan.

The best thing about my vitamix is that I can make green smoothies for skeptical people and they love them. The secret: no chunks!

The greens go down smooth, and I know I’m contributing to someone’s health without forcing them to gulp something down uncomfortably.

Also, I get this question a lot – the Blendtec and the Vitamix are very comparable blenders, and I definitely recommend you get whichever one you personally prefer. Either way, you’re getting a high end blender that’s going to last you for years to come.

Food Processors That Make Tasty Meals

I happen to have a Magic Bullet, but to be honest since I got my vitamix I haven’t used another type of food processor. It’s enough to handle my blending and processing needs.

That being said, after getting a blender, I think it’s a good investment to have a food processor. If you are shopping for a new raw foodie who doesn’t yet have a food processor, I recommend the Cuisinart Prep 11 Plus Food Processor.

Raw Food Dehydrator for Crunchy Treats

This is the cadillac of food dehydrators, it’s the Excalibur 3900 Deluxe Series 9 Tray Food Dehydrator. I’ve had mine for a few years now and I love having it to make raw crackers, cookies, breads, kale chips, and other dehydrated snacks.

You can also buy them second hand, or opt for a cheaper smaller version. Most dehydrators don’t come with a temperature setting though, but the Excalibur does.

Fresh Juicer for The Juice Loving Raw Foodie

I’ve heard great things about the Breville Juice Fountain, and many raw foodies recommend it. One of the benefits is that it’s a good quality juicer, for a pretty fair price.

It also has a wider opening, so you don’t need to cut fruits or vegetables as small to get them juiced.

The juicer I own is the Omega J8005 Nutrition Center Single-Gear Commercial Masticating Juicer. What I like about it is that you can use it to make green juice, and other treats like nut butters, raw fruit sorbets and ice creams, and baby food.

It’s got a heftier price tag, but because it uses a mastication system you’re actually getting more juice for your buck. Before I got this blender I always cringed when I saw how much juice was left in the pulp. Now the pulp is totally dry.

Pasta Making Spiralizer & Spiral Slicer

One of the easy and delicious raw recipes that gets a lot of raw foodies excited is raw pasta! This type of pasta is usually made from spiral sliced vegetables like zucchinis or spaghetti squash.

After using a spiralizer, you get angel hair pasta! Or at least something that imitates the texture and look of pasta, but tastes light and delicious.

If the raw food lover in your circle doesn’t have a spiral slicer yet, you can go with a basic Saladacco Spiral Slicer or a more advanced Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Vegetable Slicer.

The Homemade Icecream Maker

Okay, so you can make raw ice cream using a vitamix, an omega juicer, and a food processor. Why do you need a specialized icecream maker you ask? Well apparently, we raw inclined folks like to collect kitchen gadgets… Just kidding!

With a specialized ice cream maker you can blend up the raw ingredients you like, then add them to the ice cream maker to get fluffed up. This is very different from soft serve ice creams you can make with the vitamix, the juicers, and the food processors.

I rest my case. This is the Cuisinart Pure Indulgence Automatic Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker.

(And no, this is in no way a hint to my boyfriend or family members. Ahem. Seriously, though.)

Raw Ingredients or Superfoods

Most raw folks love to create in the kitchen and these ingredients are so much fun to experiment with! If you’re not familiar with what types of raw ingredients or superfoods you should get the raw foodist in your family or friends circle, here’s a quick run down.

• Raw Chocolate or Cacao Powder
• Organic Maca Powder
• Organic Goji Berries
• Chia Seeds Aztec Superfood
• Organic Hemp Seed Protein Powder
• Spirulina Natural Powder

Gift Certificates to Raw Food Restaurants

If you live near a raw restaurant, or are planning to travel near one then gift certificates make a great gift! What better way then to try some fun new raw dishes than by eating out at a raw restaurant.

• Cafe Gratitude in California, USA.
• Pure Food & Wine in New York City, USA.
• Grezzo in Maine, USA.
• Live Food Bar in Toronto, Canada.
• Rawlicious in Toronto, Canada.
• Raw Aura in Toronto, Canada.

There are tons of other raw restaurants out there too, so do a google search or look at Happy Cow to find ones in your area!

Gifts for Raw Moms with Kids

Kid Friendly Raw Recipe Book

This is the perfect gift for busy moms who want to include more raw foods into their kids’ diet. It’s hard enough being a mom, let alone trying to come up with raw recipes your kids will love.

With this ebook you’ll get your kids to join in the raw fun, and get recipes like Chunky Monkey Ice Cream, Froggy Delight Green Smoothie, and Alien Slime Smoothie. Yum!

Give Monkey Mike’s Raw Food Kitchen a Whirl!

Kid-Engineered Snack Containers

These little Munchkin Snack Catchers are great when you’re on the go with younger kids. You can easily feed your kids munchables like grapes, berries, nuts, and seeds, without making a mess!

Your children can take out as many of the small snacks as they want, and there isn’t as much of a chance of spilling grapes all over the floor.

Giving Goodwill by Adopting a Family in Need

Master J. Begin wrote this short piece about giving to someone in need this holiday season.

This Christmas is going to be a real Christmas for us! Our group has decided to adopt a couple of families that truly are in need and the entire team will pitch in by donating gifts and food so they can have a wonderful Christmas.

The concept is easy: get in touch with a local childcare agency or church and ask if they know of a family that could use help this Christmas. Find out the number of family members and their gender, and voila you have your adopted family.

This concept can be used in your workplace or in any group. It is making this Christmas so exciting and fun for us! Imagine a wave of giving taking place across the nation… And it becomes a blizzard of goodwill!

Green & Eco Friendly Gifts

When I asked about green and eco gifts, @DRumbold had some great suggestions! Here they are. If you’re planning on hosting or would like a lovely eco-friendly bouquet of flowers, then Harmony Hill Gardens is the place to go.

Dorinda also recommended Eco Friendly Apparel from Green Changes. They’ve got some nice t-shirts that I’m sure some raw foodies would enjoy.

And of course you should check out some of Dorinda’s recycled green handmade soap. It’s just gorgeous, and will keep even the most adventurous raw foodies squeaky clean.

Another great gift idea for raw foodies is to buy JoeyFiveCents’ repurposed vintage jewelry. There are also a slew of other great small handmade gifts available on Etsy. I personally need to restrain myself from visiting the Etsy site, since there’s so much goodness there.

Another great place to shop for green and eco products is Carla Rose’s Green & Chic online shop. She’s got a variety of beauty products and other environmentally friendly gifts for the raw foodie in your life.

What Do You Intend to Give This Holiday Season?

Even though this gift guide is all about the material gifts we can give each other, I want to remind us that giving and receiving can take place in other ways too.

Being there for someone through thick and thin, providing love and support, being a good friend or family member, these are all great gifts! These are gifts that cannot be replaced by material things.

So go ahead, let us know what you intend to give this holiday season… no matter what type of gift it is. And feel free to share this list with those who could use some inspiration.

Naomi & I

One of the questions I hear often is how do you stay raw when you eat out at restaurants? There are a pieces to this puzzle, so tag along with me as I explain my rationale.

I was inspired to answer this particular question today, because I had a great time meeting up with fellow bloggers and twitter friends last night.

With great company like Naomi & Jamie Dunford, Lynn, Mark, Jon, and Russell food was the last thing on my mind. Yet the question still lingers…

How to Pick the Right Restaurant

Picking the right type of restaurant is important, especially if you are going with people who aren’t all raw or who don’t know you’re raw.

The idea is to go for a type of restaurant that has salads. Or at least some sort of non-cooked vegetable options. This usually rules out some of the Indian, and Asian restaurants. Those tend to have vegetarian or vegan options (great if you’re not 100% raw) but not so many raw options.

I recommend you check out Italian restaurants, steak joints (really!), mexican restaurants (for guacamole), and other restaurants that happen to serve salads.

How to Order a Raw Plate Without Stressing Yourself Out

Now the tough part when it comes to ordering at a regular restaurant is not getting caught up in your mind games.

What do I mean by that?

It’s something that I’ve noticed happening in my own mind quite a few times, and that other people seem to pick up on.

When you look at the menu, you’ll be tempted to say:

“Screw it, I don’t have to eat raw tonight!” and just order something else to fit in or reward yourself. (Rewarding yourself with food is a whole ‘nother blog post!)

If you do order a salad and other people ask you questions like:

“Don’t you feel like having something else? Aren’t you sick of eating salads?”

You’ll start feeling left out, kind of down, or just plain jipped.

I seriously encourage you not to fall into that trap. The truth is that every time I order a salad at a decent restaurant, I’m really happy with it.

I tend not to enjoy restaurant salads if they are “cheaper restaurants” because then you get a few pieces of iceberg lettuce and two non-ripe tomato slices on top. (Think truck stop restaurants here.)

But with higher end restaurants or steak houses you’re going to be getting some quality veggies.

Making a Special Request

What I’ve had success with is asking the waiter for something special with my salad. Here are a few examples of orders I’ve made at restaurants that have made my experience much better.

Double Your Salad Order

I ordered two “house salads” and asked them to be put into one big bowl. The waitress asked if I was really sure about that… she probably didn’t get that request very often.

The house salad was about half the price of a regular entree, and to me it made sense to just double it and have a full meal. It turned out great, I felt satisfied, and I got lots of really great tasting greens.

Add Extra Veggies

Another great option is asking for vegetables that you see in other dishes or salads to be added to your green salad.

If you see that they have avocado in a sandwich, and they have red bell peppers as part of another dish, you can just ask them to throw some of these into your basic salad.

That adds bulk and really makes it a fuller meal for you. Sure, it might cost you a bit more but most salads tend to be on the less expensive side of the menu anyways.

Feeling Good About Your Choices

I often worry that I’m going to want to eat what other people have ordered. Honestly, this happened to me even before I went raw.

It’s just my monkey brain trying to convince me that my life isn’t perfect, and that I should be doing things differently.

The truth is that when I focus on the present moment, and commit to enjoying every bite of what it is I have in front of me, I really don’t care what other people order.

Now when people imply that the restaurant doesn’t have any good raw options I can say I’m really happy with my order.

More Importantly, You Should Enjoy Your Company

Jamie & Naomi

Remember that most of the time when we meet up with people at a restaurant, we are doing so to connect with people.

To enjoy each other’s company. To get to know each other. To share stories, laugh, and really treasure each other.

It shouldn’t be all about the food, though that can be fun too.

So the next time someone invites you out to eat, do a little research about the type of restaurant that has salads you might like, and go for it!

Enjoy your time together, and make the most of the present moment. It’s the only one you’ve got.

Photo by Gordana A. M.

One of the reasons people turn to raw food is because they are looking to eat more healthy food. That’s definitely one of my main reasons for giving raw food a try. (Remember that when I say raw food, I don’t necessarily mean 100% raw.)

Lately, I found myself giving out this little piece of advice: eating raw food doesn’t mean it’s necessarily healthier than other ways of eating.

Hear me out…

There are a lot of other things that go into your health, other than just the “label” you apply to your food. So for instance, you might be eating raw food, but eating too much of it. Or you might be eating raw food, but eating too much of one category and not enough of another.

Neither of these scenarios is very healthy.

Or, you might be eating raw food but not drinking enough water, sleeping enough, or exercising enough. And then there’s your emotional and mental well being, all of which play into your overall health.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what healthy foods are.

The Healthy Foods List

Here is a basic list of healthy foods that most people can agree on:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Fresh leafy greens
• Cold pressed extra virgin oils
• Raw nuts and seeds
• Sprouts
• Seaweeds and sea vegetables

Now we can split hairs and argue that we should include other foods, depending on what lifestyle you follow. For instance some may want to add superfoods, others may want to add in raw dairy or meat, you get the idea.

But I think we can all agree that these are basically healthy foods. Especially fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Unhealthy Foods List

• Processed “white” foods like white breads, white pastas, etc.
• Refined white sugar, high fructose corn syrup, aspartame
• Addictive substances like MSG, and other “taste enhancing” chemicals
• Processed, denatured fats and oils that the body cannot deal with

Alright, so the unhealthy foods list is incomplete. That’s partly because it would take too long to include everything that might potentially be unhealthy. But it’s also because we don’t all agree on what’s unhealthy.

Some people go around telling themselves that they’ll be healthy if they eat “Everything in Moderation“. And while the adage that eating everything in moderation probably held true 100 years ago, it certainly doesn’t hold today.

There are more chemicals and ingredients that I can’t pronounce on a label for dried raisins than ever before. Dried raisins!

Imagine what’s in super processed junk foods for a minute. It’s not pretty.

How to Include More Healthy Foods and Less Unhealthy Foods

I honestly believe that in order to eat more healthy foods we need to leave some of the unhealthy foods behind. If you’re too full from eating an entire bag of chips and a 1L bottle of Coke, then you’re not going to be inspired to eat an apple. Let alone a salad.

Letting go of foods that aren’t good for you is a lot more complex than it might seem at first. Why? Cravings. That’s why.

I’ve been eating healthy foods for over 3 years now, and I’ve learned a thing or two about cravings. Get on The Cue list, and you’ll be the first know about my cravings busting techniques.

Learn one of the most useful and versatile kitchen tricks: how to grow your own sprouts. Dishes that include fresh sprouts tend to be more multidimensional, super nutritious, and definitely more fun!

Sprouting Guide Video

(If you’re reading via email or feedreader, click here to view the embedded video.)

Why You Should Learn to Sprout

• You can grow sprouts yourself in the winter to get tons of nutrition without spending tons on produce.
• Keeping dry seeds and beans for sprouting is a great way to be prepared for natural catastrophes that might leave you without food. All you need is some water to sprout.
• It’s very satisfying to watch seedlings and beans awaken and sprout in front of your eyes. It reminds us of the magick of nature.
• You can eat a variety of different beans and sprouts that you might not be able to buy in stores if you sprout them yourself.
• Sprouts make a great addition to so many meals and they add a great texture to salads too.

How Sprouting Boosts Nutrition

Photo credit: Sriram Bala

Sprouts are much more nutritious than the dormant seed or bean from which they spring from. By “awakening” these seeds, we are actually eating all of the live potential energy of the sprout.

Because of the higher water content in sprouts as opposed to dry seeds and beans, we find a higher nutritional content. Sprouts contain absorbable protein, and contain increased calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C.

Growing Your own Sprouts is Cheap & Easy

Another benefit to growing your own sprouts is the cost efficiency. Seeds and beans are inexpensive, and can yield an almost unproportional amount of sprouts.

You can also buy sprouting seeds and store them for long periods of time without spoilage. Contrast that with a bunch of lettuce that does not last more than one week in the refrigerator.

Sprouts are one of the most economical foods and some have called them the foods of the future. Sprouting your own seeds and beans is so simple, and yields such savings and benefits that I cannot recommend it enough.

Do it Yourself – How to Sprout

1. Soak seeds overnight in a bowl with water.
2. The next morning, drain water and rinse with fresh water once or twice.
3. Place in a sprouting bag, or sprouting jar without any water. (Should still be humid, not completely dry.)
4. Every morning and night rinse with fresh water, to keep the sprouts wet and clean of mould.
5. Ensure the sprouts never dry up, and repeat process until your desired length or age of sprout.
6. Rinse out with fresh water and serve immediately in salads, wraps, smoothies, juices, breads/crackers, or just eat as a snack.

Sprouting Tools and Resources

I personally use a nut-milk bag, which resembles cheesecloth, for my sprouting needs. (As you might have seen in the video.) It’s inexpensive, and versatile because you can also use it to make nut milks too.

I’ve tried sprouting in jars, (though not with the Tribest Automatic Sprouter) and I prefer the flexibility and ease that a sprouting bag seems to provide.

Feel free to experiment with what works best for you, depending on the climate where you live.

One great source of sprouting information that has been around since 1993 is Sprout People. You can buy sprouts and sprouting kits from them as well.

What Are Your Favorite Sprouts?

Now I’m curious if you’ve ever grown your own sprouts and which ones are your favorites. I’m partial to mung bean sprouts, and buckwheat sprouts personally.