The Ins and Outs of Raw Food - Recipes, Tips & Resources You Should Know About!

Raw food anyone?

When you hear people say that they eat raw food do you think that limits you to only carrot sticks and celery? Thankfully that is not the case.

The other day I was chatting with a mom about how to get her little ones to eat more raw food.

Here is some of the information I shared with her.    But just in case you don’t know what raw food is, here is a quick explanation courtesy of Raw Food Life:

“Science proves that cooking not only destroys nutrition and enzymes, but chemically changes foods from the substances needed for health into free-radicals and poisons that destroy our health!

When you eat more cooked food you are consuming acidic toxins faster than your body can eliminate them so they back up, disrupting your body’s delicate acid/alkaline balance, a major cause of excess weight and disease. Heating food above 118 degrees F. causes the chemical changes that create acidic toxins, including the carcinogens, mutagens and free-radicals associated with diseases like diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. Cooking also destroys the live enzymes that aid in digestion and health.”

At home we love to make raw organic pancakes, raw organic vegan chocolate mousse, raw protein coco balls, raw linguine and of course raw soups, salads, smoothies and anything else the kids want to eat.  We are not a 100% raw family but we incorporate raw foods into 50% or more of our diet.   Eating raw makes you feel better, gives you more energy, less digestive issues and also gets your body all of the living enzymes, probiotics and nutritional content that is destroyed or significantly reduced by cooking.

Now I can’t say we eat raw without admitting that from time to time (as the budget permits) we also consume raw milk, raw cheese, raw butter, raw nuts and raw kefir.  Its amazing but true that my oldest cannot tolerate regular organic milk or cheese, its makes him gassy and messes with his digestion.  But when he consumes raw dairy he is fine.  No gas, no diarrhea, no bloating no issues.  This is because the dairy contains all of the digestive enzymes, amino acids and pro-biotics that aid the body in digestion.  When you consume regular milk you are not getting any of these valuable properties because they are destroyed in the process of making it ready fr the shelf in your local grocery store.

I must say that you have to be VERY careful when purchasing raw milk.  Not all farmers take the necessary precautions so its very important that you seek a qualified farm that is using appropriate health and sanitation practices while caring for the milk produced on their farm.  For a full article and resources on where to get raw milk near you, click here. 

Now back to the rawsome goodness.  Above I mentioned raw linguine, and you may have frowned, but I meant to say raw zucchini pasta.  Zucchini pasta with Marinara sauce is my favorite fabulous raw dish.  It can be cooked a bit if you prefer as well.  Once you wash your zucchini use a potato peeler to peel long pasta looking slices.  You can also accomplish this with a food processor for quicker results.  Once you have the desired amount you can place it in a pan with some coconut oil, garlic, pepper and pesto sauce.  If this is truly a raw dish you would not heat it past 118 degrees.  But if you are just trying this for the first time and you can slightly sauté it then place in a dish.  Top the zucchini pasta with homemade marinara that is not cooked or you can buy store-bought organic marinara and heat until warm if desired.  I like to use organic rice cheese shreds for the kids or when we have raw cheese I grater some.  If you eat raw dairy then do indulge in some organic shredded romano, asiago and parmigiano cheeses.  Top with sun dried tomatoes and some pine nuts and enjoy.  You can make garlic bread in the oven using a bread I adore called Ezekiel bread.

Here are some more awesome rawsome resources for your journey to Raw and Beyond!

Healthy Raw Food Products

Raw Revolution Bars – energy snack bars made of 100% vegan, raw food in a variety of flavors

Go Raw Freeland snacks – raw snacks made of local organic seeds, nuts and other ingredients from the earth

Navitas Naturals – packaged nutrient rich, whole foods and superfood snacks

Raw Nuts, Grains and Nut Butters - Fantastic site with lots of nutrient packed foods

Kitchen Gadgets

Vitamix – Number one rated, high powered blender perfect for making anything from green smoothies to raw banana “ice cream”

Dehydrator – Perfect for dehydrating fruits and vegetables to make raw snacks

Juicer – A juicer is essential on a raw food diet or for anyone that would rather drink their fruits and vegetables

Food Processor – blend raw foods to make sauces or purees

 

Books

Everyday Raw by Matthew Kenney

Everyday Raw Desserts by Matthew Kenney

The Green Smoothie Revolution by Victoria Boutenko

Sunfood Diet Success System by David Wolfe

Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future by David Wolfe

RAW: The Uncooked book by Juliano Brotman & Erika Lenkert

The Raw Gourmet by Nomi Shannon

The complete Book of Raw Food by Julie Rowell

Going Raw: Everything You Need to Start Your Own Raw Food Diet and Lifestyle Revolution at Home by Integrative Nutrition Grad Judita Wignall

 

Movies and Videos

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead – One man documents his journey throughout the United States as he goes on a 60 day juice diet to fix his own health and inspire others to do the same

Raw for 30 Days – the incredible story of how a 20 day raw food diet enables people to win their battle with diabetes

 

Recipes

Organic Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse by La Chica Organica

Yummy Raw Homemade Ice Cream by La Chica Organica

Raw Smoothies & Juices by La Chica Organica

Banana Pecan Pancakes  by Rawmazing

Cherry, Fig Cereal by We Like it Raw

Broccoli, Mushroom “Stir Fry” by Rawmazing

Raw Ravioli with Sun Dried Tomato Sage Sauce by We Like it Raw

Raw “Tuna” Burgers by Figgy Piggy

Clementine Tarts by The Fresh Network

Kale, Spinach and Apple Smoothie by Lemons and Loafers

Apple Choy Slaw by A Delicious Life

Cabbage Avocado Salad with Hemp and Coriander by The Fresh Network

Mineralized Bulky Salad by Frank Giglio

May the Raw be with you!

Lots of Love

LCO

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