Inspired by Raw

It may not always seem like it, but I actually eat most of my daily meals raw. I love starting my day with a green smoothie and prefer salads and other raw meals for both lunch and dinner. This is not just a summer thing either, but I enjoy raw meals throughout the year. Obviously the abundance of fresh produce in summer makes it much easier to stick to all raw foods and during the cooler months your body is asking for something warm. Listening and responding to these needs is an important part of mindful eating.

I'm a strong believer in the benefits of raw food. It has been said to raise energy levels, improve your skin and even aid physical illnesses. I also find raw food incredibly inspiring - it's amazing how much you can create by using fresh ingredients, like vegetables and fresh herbs, and seeds, nuts, sprouts, etc. The choices are endless!

Even if you're not keen to go all raw, consider replacing even one meal a day with a fully raw alternative. Green smoothies, soups like the ones below and salads are a great way to get your raw groove on.

”The food you eat can be either 

the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” 

Ann Wigmore

Raw Carrot Soup*

(Recipe adapted from here)

(serves 1-2)

2 small carrots

1 tomato

1/2 avocado 

fresh ginger, to taste

juice of 1/4 lemon or to taste

pinch of good quality salt

freshly ground black pepper

water

* Preferably use all organic ingredients.

1. Chop the carrots, tomato and avocado in small pieces. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Add enough water to reach desired texture.

Raw Creamy Green Soup*

(Recipe inspired by Enlightened Eating)

(serves 1-2)

4 cups loosely packed baby spinach

1/2 avocado

1 celery stalk

4 tablespoons chopped green beans

1/2 bunch or about 5 tablespoons chopped parsley

2 tablespoons chopped shallots/green onions

juice of 1/4 lemon

pinch of good quality salt

1 cup water

* Preferably use all organic ingredients.

 

1. Chop the avocado and celery stalks. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Ingredients for raw kitchen:

• nut and hemp milks (see recipe for almond milk)

• nut or seed butters (almond butter recipe here, leave out the roasting bit for a raw version)

• nuts (raw or soaked)

• Seeds (raw, soaked or sprouted  - sunflower, pepitas, hemp, chia, quinoa)

• grains (soaked) and legumes (sprouted)

• sprouts (see my sprouting guide here)

• dehydrated vegetables, seed crackers and breads, etc. (preferably made using a dehydrator) 

• fermented and pickled foods

Books & Links

Davis, B. and Melina, V. Becoming Raw - The Essential Guide to Raw Vegan Diets (2010)

Russell James

Ani Phyo 

David Wolfe

http://www.rawmazing.com