raw food

[Rhonda Armon-Bent]

the scariest for me with indulging in a raw food diet is coming up with the recipes to stay consistent and learning how to go into the store and gather the produce needed to create amazing meals.

[LaTricia E. Morris]

I think this is something most everyone faces when looking to pick up any new diet, especially a raw one.  It can be a challenge because you're n0t just working with different foods but also different methods of preparation.  It's not that it's harder.  It's just different.  When I first started, I printed LOTS of recipes from here and other sites.  Some turned out amazing and some awful.  Just be patient and remember, it just takes a bit of time and the willingness to keep trying. 

Always have a back-up plan when trying new dishes.  I try to always keep the makings of a salad and lots of fruit on hand in case a recipe doesn't pan out.  Also, keep your eyes on the prize and stay focused in what follows the meal.  Even if the dish doesn't turn out as something you would get at a nice restaurant, you're still looking at enjoying the life and wellness it will leave you with as opposed to what would follow eating the SAD alternatives.  Your dishes will get better with a little practice and you might even find that you develop a sense of joy from creating beautiful, healthy, raw dishes.

If you find that its all just a bit too overwhelming, just start adding to you repertoire and increase the amount of raw food you eat as you progress.  Keeping it simple and expounding upon that foundation will likely prove far more beneficial than trying to take on something huge and daunting, having it not pan out, and feeling defeated.

What you pick up at the store is going to be highly subjective.  Think: where do you live?  What's the weather like?  What's in season?  What's affordable?  What are you realistically going to eat once you get it home? 

A basic raw kitchen most always keeps these items in stock:

• Fruit (whatever you like, I especially like to keep bananas on hand for their ability to give me "happy energy" and satiation with no prep time.)
• Vegetables, especially Leafy Greens
• Mushrooms
• Nuts & Seeds (again, whatever kind you like.  You might even grab some raw trail mix like Now's Raw Energy Blend.  Great for grabbing a handful and running)
• Some Superfoods (optional and whatever kind you like; I love keeping hemp hearts and raw cacao stocked)

I really hope that any of this helps.  Kudos to you for taking steps toward being the healthiest you can be and for stepping up to the challenge.  Surely great health and much happiness will find you on the other side of your efforts!

[Tinacristina]

I have watched a lot of videos by Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram and she always shares what her recipes have. Check out the Burittos one...OMG so delicious. I have found that wraps are easy the way Kristina does but just make sure you have veggies chopped so you can stuff them plus the dressing which I made 1 to 2x's a week. This helps. Also invest in a few cook books and find the good one's you can work with. I can share that juicing veggies/fruit is also an easy way to get a quick meal in too. I am still working on ideas myself but as I find the ones that work for me I keep them coming. hope that helps.

[Janet Carol Ryan]

check out the "Kitchen" and the "Culinary Center" here in RFR - you will be amazed and delighted with the astounding array of tasty and simple recipes. Have fun discovering and experimenting - give yourself permission to 'goof up' from time to time and you'll find your way!

[Judith Jacqui James]

i face the same challenges as i was brought up on a different diet, however the RFR has so many recipes, Penni has published a book that you can get and there are many websites as well, so we are not alone in this..... the biggest challenge for me is getting my mental focus and emotional being to stay on a raw diet for the long term to see the real benefits.