Alisa: ON THE ROAD TO RAW

Shopping

As you already know, before becoming a raw food enthusiast, before becoming ill, I did everything I could not to set foot in a kitchen. I really, really disliked cooking and I still do. My Ex will tell you he couldn’t believe someone could actually burn butter. My cooking repertoire consisted of preparing waffles, pancakes, French toast, pasta with jarred sauce, steamed veggies (from a frozen food package) and boiling rice. Yes, that was it! Ask my son, I am the world’s worst cook.

So what does this have to do with food shopping? Because I disliked cooking, I disliked food shopping; for me, they went hand in hand. I would only venture to the grocery store if my Ex needed me to. Food shopping and cooking was his domain and he was great at it. He was the gourmet chef in the family and thank God for that because we all would have starved if it was left up to me.

For me, going to the grocery store was like going to the dentist; a very, very painful experience. My Ex would hand me the list and once I entered the store I would grab a cart and the race would begin. What was the goal? To get out as fast as possible. I didn’t care what I was buying. I didn’t care what was there. I never looked for more than a second at what I was picking out. To me, an apple was an apple, cereal was cereal and a nut was a nut. And whether something was organic or not was not even a consideration. It wasn’t in my consciousness to care. I was completely and utterly detached from what I was buying and where I was buying it. At this point in time I still didn’t understand that there was a direct relationship between what I bought, where I bought it and the health of my body.

Pre-raw, I shopped at stores like Publix, Albertsons, Smiths, etc. Health food stores were not yet in my universe. I lived in the candy, canned, frozen, dairy and junk food aisles.

After turning raw, my food shopping world was turned upside down! Because I became ill, I was forced to change my diet (it was either that or take pharmaceutical drugs for the rest of my life). Now, food became my whole life. I became food obsessed. I was determined to heal myself. Since food was now the focal point of my life, food shopping and food preparation became my only hobbies. My world was rocked!

Immediately, I sought out every health food store in my area. And buying organic was very, very important to me. I knew I had to eat the cleanest, healthiest food the planet had to offer so I could heal. So now, I shopped at places like Whole Foods, local co-ops and farmers’ markets. For the first time I saw food and food shopping in a way I never imagined I would.

It is difficult to explain but I was seeing food for the first time. Now I cared about what I was buying and what I was putting into my body. I wouldn’t purchase a single food unless I looked at the label and read the ingredient list first. I had to be sure that nothing was entering my body that was going to hinder my healing. All produce had to have an item number that began with a 9 because that meant it was organic. If a fruit or veggie item number began with a 4 or a 3 I stayed clear of it. An item number of 4 or 3 meant it was not organic. I had to be careful.

Now, when I entered the health food store, I looked forward to grabbing a cart and beginning my shopping trip in the produce aisle (this is where I spent majority of my time). I was in no rush. And very slowly I would work my way through the store aisle by aisle. And because I was now not only shopping for myself but my family as well because we all wanted to be healthy, even if I was picking out an organic packaged food product I had to read the label. I had to know what each item was made of. I had no idea that high fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin and MSG were in so many products. My new motto was “if you cannot define it and if you cannot pronounce it, you cannot eat it!

Getting back to the produce aisle. Who knew there were so many kinds of fruits and veggies to choose from. I had no idea what kale, collards, chard, watercress, nappa cabbage or bokchoy were. I never ate avocados, mangos or papaya. And what the heck was a star fruit, passion fruit, durian or even a pomegranate??? Pre-raw I was living in a very small food world. I had a lot to learn and a lot to taste and I was nothing but excited to try it all.

After the produce aisle, I moved on into the nuts, seeds, dried fruit, nutbutter and raw packaged aisles.

And, of course, as a treat, every so often, I picked up an organic dark chocolate bar and a bottle of organic wine. Yes, even I indulged a bit. After all balance was and still is the key!

Most excitedly, what made food shopping a whole new wonderful experience was that only after eating raw whole foods for three months not only did I heal my condition but most importantly my taste buds and palette became so clean, keen and sensitive to taste. Tasting a tomato or a strawberry was like tasting it for the first time. The tomato tasted like no tomato I had ever tasted, even though I had eaten tomatoes a million times. It was so sweet, so juicy, so luscious! It was like eating candy but with no comparison – there is really no way to describe it.

Everything I ate from then on forward was a delight.

As I said before, pre-raw, I never liked avocados, mangos or papayas. Now, I can’t get enough of them. They are scrumptious!

Changing my diet changed my shopping experience and my life.

And if organic produce, nuts and seeds were too expensive to buy, I would buy non organic and just clean them before eating. Nothing was going to stop me from eating this way and healing my body.

And I must share this little tidbit because it had such an impact on me. After shopping at health food stores for months and months, I had to run into a “conventional” grocery store for some water. As I journeyed up and down the aisles what I once saw and accepted as “normal” food, I now saw as candy. It all looked unreal, fake and harmful to the body. I know this sounds extreme but for me it really wasn’t because the way I used to eat in the past made me ill and the way I eat now healed me. And if you really think about it, there is no comparison between eating a fresh whole strawberry and a strawberry flavored food item or fresh spinach and canned spinach. When presented with the option, why not eat the real thing???

It really is amazing. Eating whole fresh fruits, veggies, sprouts, nuts and seeds have existed from the beginning of time and yet I was eating fast food, junk food, food from boxes, jars, bags and cans with just a smidge of fruits and veggies. How did we as a society move so far away from the real thing; from goodness, deliciousness, health and beauty? Just something to think about on your next food shopping trip.

And please never take my word for it. Question everything I share. This is just my experience. And by no means am I advocating that you should be eating the way I chose to eat. All I would recommend to you is that no matter what you eat whether raw or cooked you try to eat organic if you can.

I challenge you to eat a whole fresh foods diet, cooked or raw, for 30 days and I promise you will get a taste of what I am talking about.

Food shopping will never be the same for you whether you enjoy doing it now or not.

It is quite a trip! Happy shopping!

Marie: ON THE ROAD TO RAW

Shopping

I kept thinking that I could go 100% raw. I seemed so close with more than half the day already taken care of. I was always trying to eat consciously. I had always looked at packaging, trying to avoid anything that contained ingredients that I couldn't pronounce. I had always carefully considered what I would feed my husband and children; even if they clamored for 'Lucky Charms', I would undoubtedly force muesli upon them. And it seemed like it would be simple for someone like myself to just go completely raw since I had - for the most part - always preferred fruits and vegetables anyway, albeit not exclusively. Yes, I've had my moments. But generally my cravings for junk food were minimal, standing up well to the onslaught of fast food establishments that beckoned with the welcoming arm of drive-through lane as I made my way down Cerillos Road and into the heart of Santa Fe every afternoon. Sometimes I've been really hungry, having somehow managed to inadvertently miss a meal somewhere in the web of my day while attending to some unexpected event; an animal birth, an overflowing toilet. My stomach would be growling past every bright sign and a burger might have seemed to represent a suitable , quick antidote - an instant gratification. Even then, I could usually resist. I always knew how bad that stuff could make me feel. And I could always remind myself of the time I found an actual rock in my Kentucky Fried Chicken (lucky me - there are a few of those urban legends that attest to people finding body parts in theirs). But resisting temptations such as these is one thing: 100% raw - going "all the way" - was a whole new ball game.

It is interesting when you first go to a grocery store with the idea of a raw diet in your mind. All of a sudden that whole, huge edifice is reduced to two aisles: the produce aisle and the bulk foods aisle where they keep the bird and squirrel food aka nuts and seeds and across from which they usually keep the agave nectar, honey and a smattering of raw nut butters. I could include the spice section but the whole spice thing is up for debate. A lot of the so-called experts will argue that commercially produced bottled spices are not raw. So, in a nutshell - if you can't see a cinnamon or nutmeg tree in your backyard or vanilla beans dangling in their pods you are either not getting those raw or else you are simply not getting those. These are the kind of things that pose as great raw quandaries.

One could argue that shopping becomes easier. There are not as many choices to be made. Naturally we should aim for organic. But Braeburn or Granny Smith? Anjou or Bartlett? It's all just apples and pears, after all. I should add that if you want to stick with organic produce and are shopping in a store like Smith's or Albertson's in lieu of an organic grocery store, the square footage of space representing the organic factor of what a raw foodist can eat is even smaller - some 6 foot section of refrigerated shelving in the produce department sporting no more than 6 bunches of anything the staff could steal from their neighbors gardens on the way to work in the morning on any given day. Or so it would seem. In the winter there is barely anything... probably because it's not as easy to forage for root vegetables in the snow. The first time I really noticed this was at the onset of my raw experimentations. "This is it?", I spurted aloud at a handful of carrots in the Albertson's organic section as some elderly woman in a kerchief rushed past me in a nervous attempt to escape an onslaught of Turrets.

Fortunately there is no dearth of natural grocery stores in Santa Fe. Whole Foods even has an actual Raw Food Section (albeit a small one) where you can find such tidbits as crackers and breads. I use the word bread in its loosest definition because it certainly doesn't look like any of the bread I grew up with in Europe, bearing a greater resemblance to WASA Thin Crisps than anything else. Anything else besides corrugated cardboard, that is. But if they want to call that bread, far be it from me to put up a stink. I put some Nori crackers in my basket and headed back to the produce aisle. That was what I had. Maybe it's not 14 aisles. But no matter what, everything there was vibrant and beautiful and exactly what it seemed to be.

Marie: Right Now In The Raw

Summer is such a wonderful time to be raw! In fact, it's a great time to begin incorporating more raw food nto your diet! During this time of the year it takes barely any energy at all to create satisfying raw dishes that will completely steal the spotlight away from cooked foods. It's just not what our bodies crave in the heat! Me, I love to whip things together in the kitchen but it's just too warm to spend alot of time doing it so my summer fallbacks are incredible soups and smoothies that I toss together in a blender in a matter of minutes. This is something the whole family can get on board with! Watermelon/ Mint Cooler? The smell of it alone sets your taste buds dancing. My daughter, who is twelve, pronounced emphatically, "Now that smells good!". Cucumbers and grapes make another wonderful pairing that can be eaten as cold summer soup or downed as super smoothie! As my husband gushed, "I could live on this!" Pineapple/ Lime Soup? Bring it on! And I swear...Mango/ Orange Soup... it will actually make you smile. When we made it at our recent Summer Soups class Alisa and I took one sip and grinned ear to ear. That was certainly a happy little soup! Anyway, while I am fiddling around in the kitchen trying to feed myself (and doing a really bang-up job, if I do say so myself), I figure, Spread the Joy! So be prepared... there's alot of it coming your way!









Marie

RAWWOMAN RECIPE FILE:


GREEN GRAPE AND CUCUMBER SOUP


2 cups green grapes
1 cup cucumber, peeled and sliced thick
small handful of mint leaves, roughly chopped
1 cup water
handful of ice

1/2 cup green grapes, halved (garnish)



Combine all ngredients except for the halved grapes and blend till smooth in a high speed blender. Pour into bowls and garnish with the halved grapes. Enjoy!

* This is a simple and refreshing recipe that can also be served as a smoothie minus the addition of the halved grapes. It is a lovely summertime cooler!

Alisa: On The Road To Raw



The Green Drink


O.K. Let's talk green! Green is beautiful! It's both beautiful to look at and beautiful for the body. None of us, even the 'raw foodies', take in enough greens on a daily basis. Most tend to overdose on healthy fats (olives, avocados, coconuts, nuts) and sweets (raw chocolate).

Green is the gateway to a vibrant, happy, healthy life and it is EASY to incorporate into your daily eating routine, without asking yourself to give up anything. All it takes is to add one green juice or green smoothie a day to your daily diet. That's it. If you want to take in more juices and smoothies per day, I say go for it! You will be a green superhero! But one per day will do the trick!

Simply put, greens provide the body with unending energy, fiber that the body needs and craves and all the protein needed to meet the daily recommended allowance.

Many people ask if there is a difference between a green juice and a green smoothie and, if there is, what is/are the difference(s). They also ask if a green juice is healthier than a green smoothie. There are two different camps on the subject. Some raw food experts recommend drinking juices over smoothies and vice versa; that is because some say that it is healthier to take in the whole fruit or vegetable (fiber), while others say the juice is all you really need. After researching the subject and testing them out myself, it is my opinion that they are both equally vital in mantaining and increasing one's overall vibrancy and health. The real secret, however, to really reaping their reward, is to consistently incorporate both into ones daily eating routine. Everyday one or both should make an appearance in our diet. And I do not want to hear any excuses! If we have no problem drinking our morning cup of coffee every single day, we should have no problem drinking our juice and/or smoothie every day...

So, what goes into a green juice, how do we make it and what makes it a juice and not a smoothie? A green juice is one that is prepared with mostly green, leafy vegetables, other vegetables and a little fruit. These vegetables are then put through a juicer. ( Note: they can also be blended together and the juice squeezed through a nutmilk bag). When you prepare a green juice with whole, fresh greens, vegetables and fruit, the juicer extracts the fiber from the fruits, greens and vegetables and all you are left with is the juice. When you drink a green juice, it's minerals, vitamins, nutrients and natural sugars go directly into the blood stream and little to no digestion is required to break down the juice, hence the body wastes no energy digesting but rather instantly receives , not only the juice's nutrients, but also instant energy. Among other benefits, green juices are great for fasting, illnesses such as irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions.

What goes into a green smoothie, what do we make it from and what makes it a smoothie and not a juice? A green smoothie is one that is prepared with whole fresh greens and whole fresh or frozen fruit. These fruit and vegetables are then blended together in a blender. At the end of the blending process you are left with, not only the juice, but the fiber as well. In drinking a green smoothie, the presence of the fiber allows the vitamins, minerals, nutrients and natural sugars to enter the blood stream at a slower rate, thereby helping to keep the body's glucose level on a more even keel. Your body reaps nutritive rewards along with receiving a longer-lasting constant energy. And, although some digestion is necessary to break down the fiber, it won't take nearly as much energy as if it were trying to break down meat, dairy, processed white sugars etc.

To get a more complete picture of why we should be adding more greens into our lives I highly recommend reading Victoria Boutenko's book "Green For Life - The Updated Classic on Green Smoothie Nutrition". She discusses at length the benefits of adding greens into your life. A few of the tremendous benefits are: greens are a great source of fiber, protein, chlorophyll and omega 3's; they help to alkalize and they help to maintain homeostasis in the body.

The idea behind eating a diet consisting of more raw foods is simply that the more whole, fresh and raw one's diet is, the less amount of energy is needed for digestion and the benefit to that is that if the body is not using all of it's energy for digestion it can expend it on more important matters. It can expend it in healing the body when necessary; directing it's healing energies to the parts of the body that need it in that moment. And, if no healing is necessary at that particular moment in time, then your body just gets the awesome benefits of feeling energized! Isn't that what we are all looking for in our lives - more energy, feeling more vitalized and vibrant?

So, what is the final answer? Incorporate both green juices and green smoothies into your daily routine. One day do a juice, another a smoothie and so on. If you are wild and crazy like Marie and I, you can take a juice and a smoothie on the same day. Go even wilder and crazier and add in a shot of wheatgrass juice and Brain On and watch out! You will have so much energy you will not know what to do with yourself. Imagine that... too much energy! What a concept. No matter how you look at it you will be giving your body the stamina, vibrancy and great health it deserves and was meant to have! It's a win/win all the way around!

RAWWOMAN RECIPE FILE:


MARIE'S ENERGIZING PINEAPPLE GREEN ELIXIR


1- 2 cups pineapple cubed
1/2 cucumber,chopped
2-3 stalks celery, chopped roughly into smaller pieces
1 large handful spinach
1 handful pea sprouts
1 green apple, quartered
1 kiwi, peeled (optional)
1 cup water (to facilitate blending)


In a Vita Mix or high powered blender, combine all of the above beginning with the cucumber and pineapple. Use water as needed to allow easier blending. Blend until all ingredients are well incorporated and mixture is smooth. Pour mixture through a nit milk bag, squeezing gently until all liquid is extracted. Pour juice over ice and drink immediately.


*This is one of the most delicious and refreshing drinks I have ever concocted; perfect for summer days when you start to feel a little 'wilted' as well as for your morning burst of energy! For those of you whose taste buds might feel intimidated by 'straight green', the pineapple and green apple are a perfect foil for the heavy dose of spinach and pea shoots have a marvelous sweetness to them. The pulp can be saved . It will make an excellent fertilizer in your garden!

RAWWOMAN RECIPE FILE:

ALISA'S SENSATIONAL SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE

Yields approximately 1 quart

½ cup frozen strawberries

½ cup frozen mango

½ cup frozen blueberries

½ frozen banana

3 Tbsp cocoa nibs

1 tsp vitamineral green powder

1 tsp spirulina

1 tsp chlorella

1 tsp maca powder

1 tsp hemp protein powder

1 tsp wheatgrass powder

1 tsp vitamin C powder

Add enough organic apple or orange juice to get the mixture to blend and to make it to your texture consistency pleasure. I prefer my smoothies thick so I add less juice. Using fresh squeezed o.j. or apple juice is best, but in a pinch any organic juice is fine. You can use filtered water if there is not juice on hand or if you do not want to make it any sweeter.

You may use fresh fruit instead of frozen…again, it is your pleasure.

ANOTHER VARIATION OF A GREEN SMOOTHIE

Simply use your favorite frozen or fresh fruit, plus some liquid, in the same proportions as above and add a large handful of fresh greens (spinach, kale, baby greens, romaine, parsley, arugula, etc. – mix it up too).