Rawviolis

This is one of the best raw dinner entrees I've found, yet.  It takes some time to prepare and assemble all the savory components, but is well worth the effort.  


I took apart a "rawvioli" to show the creamy, green pesto.  The red sauce is the raw marinara which, despite it's nontraditional appearance, is my favorite part of the meal. Both can be made ahead of time.


A mandolin comes in handy for julienning the beet and zucchini. I find I use mine often for raw food recipes. It's a great time-saver.


Rawviolis
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 parsnip
1/2 cup Raw Neutral Pesto*
15 leaves fresh basil
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt
1 clove garlic
4 dates, pitted
1 large beet, julienned
1 zucchini, julienned 


From Natalia Rose's The Raw Food Detox Diet.


Dig in with a hearty appetite.  This dish really filled me up last night!  


*Raw Neutral Pasta Pesto
3 cups whole fresh basil
2 cloves garlic
5 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt (or to taste)

(From Natalia Rose's The Raw Food Detox Diet.) 

Fountain of Flavor Salad

This salad has a unique and delicious blend of spices and herbs.  I made it for lunch, yesterday, (Day 1 of my raw food Challenge).

Fountain of Flavor Salad

1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves (I used allspice)

1 clove garlic, chopped

3 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

1 and 1/2 teaspoons fresh oregano, chopped

1 and 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped

1/4 cup cold-pressed olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

4 raw olives, chopped

Celtic sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Add all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl.  Toss well.  (From Natalia Rose's The Raw Food Detox Diet.)

Day 2: No Raw Food Detox Symptoms

Today is day two of my raw food challenge and I am feeling light and vibrant. A word to the wise, however: It doesn't always work this way. The first time I went completely raw (a year ago) I had terrible headaches and irritability, even after transitioning*. After three days, all was well and I was on my way toward live enzyme bliss. Even though I enjoyed the occasional cooked meal, I didn't experience the symptoms of that first shift to raw. I ate about 75% raw and felt healthier than I had in a long time.  


What I now realize is that every time I ate cooked food I was taking away from progress made. Eating cooked foods made my body work harder on digestion, taking away precious energy that could have been spent on cleaning and repairing cells.  I expected that eating mostly raw would preclude all sickness, yet I still got the flu last winter and a cold here and there.  


It will be very telling to observe the changes in my body's ability to care for itself when it is not presented with foods that create much work, but, rather, receives raw, organic food that can be easily put to use aiding immune function and all organs.  

That said, and upon the recommendation of my friend Ann, I am going to set up a physical with an M.D.  I'll use that data as a starting point from which I'll track my progress.  


Question: Have you ever gone raw? What symptoms did you experience and was it worth it?! 


*If you are looking online for a transition program and can't find one you like, I recommend Natalia Rose's book The Raw Food Detox Diet.

The Fruit Stands Alone

Morning is a great time to get your daily fruit consumption.  Not only does it infuse your cells with energy from all of the complex carbohydrates, it is best digested on an empty stomach.  This is because fruit is the one food group that doesn't combine well with other foods.*  (Greens and vegetables technically combine with fruit,** but your stomach will like it even more if the fruit is alone.)  Instead of absorbing the nutrients and efficiently removing the waste, fruit will sit around fermenting in the stomach if other food groups (nuts or yogurt, for example) are present.  


I have noticed that when I eat fruit alone I savor it more, and end up eating more, achieving a satisfying feeling of fullness. 


I ate these juicy organic peaches for breakfast after my green juice.  So sweet. 


Question:  What is your favorite fruit to eat in large quantities? 




*For more on food combining see this beautiful chart which lays out food groups that combine best for optimal digestion.  http://www.alderbrooke.com/chart.php.  


Optimal digestion equals a healthy colon, the organ for which there is the third highest incidence of cancer in the U.S. (http://www.oncologychannel.com/coloncancer/index.shtml).


**In her book Green for Life, Victoria Boutenko discusses combining fruit and greens to make her delicious and satisfying Green Smoothies, which are a good option for getting your greens if you don't have a juicer and also a great way to start the day. 

Green Juice, the Eye Opener

Green juice is amazing in its ability to aid the body's functions and provide a concentrated dose of natural vitamins. It is best absorbed on an empty stomach. First thing in the morning, it's a literal boost for your system.


Any variation is easy to make.  You'll need a juicer, which can range anywhere from $30.00 to $1,000.00.  (If you plan on juicing every day, it is wise to invest in a quality juicer.  They usually start at around $150.  I use a mid-range Breville juicer which has worked well for over a year.)  


The only ingredients needed are leafy greens of any kind (the darker, the better) and an apple or two.  However, the following green juice recipe from Natalia Rose's The Raw Food Detox Diet happens to be my favorite:


Green Lemonade 

1 head romaine lettuce or celery

5 to 6 stalks kale (any type)

1 to 2 apples (as needed for sweetness-- organic Fuji is recomended)

1 whole organic lemon (you don't have to peel it)

1 to 2 tablespoons fresh ginger (optional)
Makes 1 serving

Question: Have you ever been in the habit of juicing everyday, and, if so, did you notice an overall improvement in vitality?

The Raw Food Challenge

Today is day one of my self-imposed challenge to eat only raw, living foods for one year.*  In a protein-packed nutshell, I'm taking on such a challenge for two reasons.  First, I want to see for myself if the human body does, as so many raw foodists claim**, thrive and flourish when purely infused with live enzymes, the literal stuff of life.  Second, I aim to show that it is possible to eat raw anywhere (restaurants, parties, the homes of others, abroad, and anywhere else humankind wanders), all the while giving no offense to the food choices of others.  


I expect that this journey will broach several important issues along the way.  A raw food diet sheds light on a myriad of health and nutrition information.  It raises issues around the cultural challenges of eating raw.  Lest I forget the joyous part, a raw food diet delivers an unmatchable abundance of delectable flavors, to be savored (or devoured!) in whatever moderation is desired.  Recipes will be forthcoming!


Here's to eating for health, pleasure, and well-being.  My first indulgence of flavor this morning will be a green juice.  Bon appétit! 




Question:  What is the longest amount of time you've eaten only raw food?

*Warning: Do not attempt an all-raw diet unless you have first prepared your body using a healthy detox transition program.  I liked Natalia Rose's book The Raw Food Detox Diet.   A nice summary of the book can be found here: http://www.everydiet.org/diet/raw-food-detox-diet.  It's available on Amazon: 


**http://greenforlife.com/,  http://renegadehealth.com/blog/