A few posts back I mentioned that I'd be transitioning back towards a high raw food diet. I have received some inquiries about such which brings me to this post. I've a firm believer in slow and steady wins the race and I allow the season changes to set the pace of my dietary transitions. I personally find the raw food diet to be easier in the spring/summer than in the fall/winter which is why the percentage of raw food that I'm eating fluctuates between really high to moderate. Last summer my diet consisted mostly raw foods and I was following the principles of the 80/10/10 diet (by Douglas Graham) with amazing results in that I found it extremely easy to eat in that manner and I experienced notable benefits, such as better digestion, increased energy, and overall felt good. On the flip side, I was always cold, had difficulty keeping weight on to where I cut back on workouts, and felt that eating in this way was somewhat isolating.
Over the last few months I have found a vast amount of enjoyment in cooking, which is why my posts continue to be about my cooking adventures and not my food prep adventures. I will happily spend hours upon hours in the kitchen cooking and creating for others, with no intention on eating the food myself. Along with this, I must say that when I eat raw, I eat very simple: smoothies, salads, homemade bars and balls, mono-meals and snacks of a particular fruit.... This type of raw eating works for me. It fits into my daily life, I ultimately feel great when I'm doing it, and it flows naturally so that I effortlessly sticking with it. All change, be it in diet, lifestyle, work, relationships, etc, is going to be uncomfortable and even difficult to some extend but as far as diet/lifestyle are concerned the changes you are trying to make aren't something that you should be desperately clinging to. If that is the case then perhaps it's a good idea to evaluate if it's realistic and plausible for you. If not, then modify it so that it can be.
I am happy to report that thus far my transition has been going well. As the weather warms up, I find myself enjoying my freshly made juices or smoothies without having to bundle up in my Snuggie and/or and without my space heater on full blast. As I decrease the amount of cooked grains and starches (rice, potatoes, etc) I'm increasing my overall vegetable consumption via salads, stir fry, as well as combining the two! A great way to get more vegetables in your diet while using up vegetables in your fridge is to make a stir fry. Left overs can then be mixed with your salad for a flavorful lunch! Oh, and lets not forget fresh fruits. Every trip to the local market has me falling in love with spring and summer all over again!
So, what exactly have I been eating? Let's take a peek:
Over the last few months I have found a vast amount of enjoyment in cooking, which is why my posts continue to be about my cooking adventures and not my food prep adventures. I will happily spend hours upon hours in the kitchen cooking and creating for others, with no intention on eating the food myself. Along with this, I must say that when I eat raw, I eat very simple: smoothies, salads, homemade bars and balls, mono-meals and snacks of a particular fruit.... This type of raw eating works for me. It fits into my daily life, I ultimately feel great when I'm doing it, and it flows naturally so that I effortlessly sticking with it. All change, be it in diet, lifestyle, work, relationships, etc, is going to be uncomfortable and even difficult to some extend but as far as diet/lifestyle are concerned the changes you are trying to make aren't something that you should be desperately clinging to. If that is the case then perhaps it's a good idea to evaluate if it's realistic and plausible for you. If not, then modify it so that it can be.
I am happy to report that thus far my transition has been going well. As the weather warms up, I find myself enjoying my freshly made juices or smoothies without having to bundle up in my Snuggie and/or and without my space heater on full blast. As I decrease the amount of cooked grains and starches (rice, potatoes, etc) I'm increasing my overall vegetable consumption via salads, stir fry, as well as combining the two! A great way to get more vegetables in your diet while using up vegetables in your fridge is to make a stir fry. Left overs can then be mixed with your salad for a flavorful lunch! Oh, and lets not forget fresh fruits. Every trip to the local market has me falling in love with spring and summer all over again!
So, what exactly have I been eating? Let's take a peek:
Raspberry Pear Romaine Smoothie
1 bag Trader Joe's Frozen Raspberries
2 Pears
5 Romaine Leaves
Pure water, as needed
Blend all ingredients in blender. Enjoy!
2 Pears
5 Romaine Leaves
Pure water, as needed
Blend all ingredients in blender. Enjoy!
Strawberry Pineapple Lucuma Smoothie
1 cup strawberries, washed w/ green stem cut off
1 cup pineapple, cleaned and sliced
1.5 Tbs Lucuma Powder
Pure water, as needed
Blend all ingredients in blender. Enjoy!
1 cup pineapple, cleaned and sliced
1.5 Tbs Lucuma Powder
Pure water, as needed
Blend all ingredients in blender. Enjoy!
B'Sprout, Bok Choy & Sundried Tomato Stir Fry
I ate this one night for dinner
I ate this one night for dinner
15 - 20 small Brussel Sprouts, halved and/or quartered
1 head Bok Choy, chopped
2/3 cup sundried tomatoes, sliced as needed
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbs low sodium vegetable broth
1/4 cup Braggs Liquid Aminos
Mrs Dash Extra Spicy, to taste/desired level of spice
Note: My sundried tomatoes were nice and soft. If yours are not you may want to soak them in water first.
Well spray pan with olive oil cooking spray. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook on medium until lightly brown. The add brussel sprouts and vegetable broth. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Then add the braggs and Mrs. Dash. Recover and cook until tender-crisp, stirring as needed. Uncover and add sundried tomatoes (mine were soft) and bok choy. Cook an additional 5 minutes. Enjoy!
1 head Bok Choy, chopped
2/3 cup sundried tomatoes, sliced as needed
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbs low sodium vegetable broth
1/4 cup Braggs Liquid Aminos
Mrs Dash Extra Spicy, to taste/desired level of spice
Note: My sundried tomatoes were nice and soft. If yours are not you may want to soak them in water first.
Well spray pan with olive oil cooking spray. Add minced garlic to the pan and cook on medium until lightly brown. The add brussel sprouts and vegetable broth. Cover and cook 5 minutes. Then add the braggs and Mrs. Dash. Recover and cook until tender-crisp, stirring as needed. Uncover and add sundried tomatoes (mine were soft) and bok choy. Cook an additional 5 minutes. Enjoy!
Stir Fry mixed Raw Baby Spinach
It was equally delicious for lunch the following day
It was equally delicious for lunch the following day
Chickpea Mash & Baby Spinach
Another Stir Fry Raw Vegetable MIx
Mmmmm! Now that I have officially made myself hungry, I'm gonna end this post and hit the kitchen for a snack (Apples slices and raw nut butter anyone?!)
Have You Ever Tried the Raw Food Diet?
If So, Please Share!!
If So, Please Share!!
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