5 Tips for Raw Newbies

New to raw food? Well so was I four & half months ago. Here are some of my reflections on starting out raw ...

1. The internet is your best resource for recipes, tips and raw info. My favourite site so far is gone raw. Why I like this site so much is that everyday people, like you and me, can post comments and rate all the recipes. A lot of people make the recipe and then go back and post a comment, good or bad, about the outcome. I'm also in love with Ani Phyo. I have tried several of her recipes and not one has disappointed me! She uses simple ingredients that are readily available and most of her recipes don't require a dehydrator. Her book, Ani's Raw Food Kitchen, was the first uncook book I bought and I have no regrets. Her website is also an invaluable resource for recipes as well as her videos on YouTube.


2. One of the easiest and most versatile raw dishes I've found is raw zucchini noodles. It's inexpensive and by changing up the sauce, you won't feel like you're eating the same thing all the time. You can make a marinara with tomatoes, a creamy sauce with nuts and seeds, or a pesto with herbs. I bought an inexpensive julienne peeler to transform my zuc's into pasta.


3. I've found that most raw foods freeze beautifully! I always make a little extra when I make soups, sauces and hummus and then freeze half. A few hours on the counter to thaw and voila! - an easy raw dinner.


4. When you're starting out, go slow. I don't know many people that can go from S.A.D to 100% raw vegan overnight. Breakfast is an easy start for raw food newbies. Toss some veggies and fruits in a blender with a bit of water. The combinations are endless, so you're sure to find something that you like. Dessert is another easy transition to make.


5. Lastly, don't be discouraged if you have some detox symptoms in the first few raw attempts - headache, stomach cramps, fatigue. This is totally normal and you'll probably feel fantastic the next day! Change isn't easy and your body might be going through withdrawal. As you continue adding more raw food to your diet, you'll find these symptoms will lessen and eventually disappear. You'll end up with more energy and a healthy glow. I'll never forget during my first few weeks of eating raw several of my friends and colleagues commented on how good I looked suddenly. That was all the motivation I needed to keep on rawkin'!!!