Must have list

[Lois]

I want to go to the grocery store and start buying things for a raw diet. about 70% raw to start). Can anyone give me a good list of what I need to buy for starters? I am very new to this.
Thanks a million, Lois :)

[Nenyath]

are you thinking kitchen appliances or food? If it is the last, the buy what fruit and veggies that seem appealing to you and try not to limit it, I find it easier if I have a lot of things home which I like, that way I won't be tempted.. I am still only learning myself but I do know that I tend to slip when I have no choices and especially if I have no avocados! (I just love them!) Good luck though!

Fly forever free,
Nenyath

[levamssg]

Do you have Alissa's book? There is a list of ingredients and sample menus for you to work with when starting out.

A lot depends on what you like to eat. If you don't have Alissa's book, then
buy fruits/veges that you find appealing. Peruse some recipes on line and pick a couple things that interest you and get those ingredients as well. The basics I always have on hand are my favorite spices (basil, oregano, cayenne, garlic, chili powder, cumin, celtic salt), olive oil (organic, cold first pressed), Braggs apple cider vinegar, lemons, tomatoes, onions, apples, carrots, celery, and basic salad making stuff (greens). I list these because they tend to be the stuff I use over and over. Many recipes call for Braggs Aminos -- this is not a raw product. I sometimes substitute Nama Shoyu (fermented product), but use it really really sparingly.

Other items I buy frequently are pineapples, grapes, red peppers, spinach, and kale.

I use a lot of almonds, walnuts, sunflower and pumpkin seed, and pine nuts. Cashews are on my buy list occasionally, as are pecans and macadamia nuts.

And Dates. You'll use these in many yummy desserts.
If you are okay with using honey, get RAW honey for a sweetner. I use dates in place of that. Or you can buy stevia for a sweetner.

In a short while, you will see what you buy frequently.

Here's an easy recipe to get you started ...
chop one apple, one tomato, 1/2-1 red pepper, 1/4 sweet onion, 1 slightly firm avocado. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil (about 1-2 Tbl). Sprinkle with cayenne (use sparingly) and a pinch of salt. Stir Stir Stir, until the avocado blends slightly with the oil and coats the other ingredients just a bit.

This is a great lunch or side dish.
Enjoy

[levamssg]

Lois,

an added note. I buy my nuts in bulk at whole foods ... they are raw. I don't know if you can get raw nuts at a regular grocery store.

[maraw]

That really depends on what you enjoy eating most. For me, it was citrus fruits (limes, lemons and oranges), avocadoes, spinach, bananas, and carrots. I always have these in the house. But I also agree with Nenyath. One of the things that my husband and I enjoyed most when first going raw is experimenting with different fruits and veggies we've never had before. I would just walk throught the produce section and choose fruits and veggies that were colorful and different looking. It was really fun. You might want to try that. I do highly recommend keeping raw foods that you really love well stocked in your kitchen. You don't want to get caught in the net of "there's nothing raw to eat and I'm hungry."

Best wishes,
Anna

[JMD]

I agree ALissa's book actually has a page dedicated to shopping musthaves.

For me, it is my fave fruits--pears, kiwi, Bartlett pears etc..., almonds to be soaked, avocados, flax oil, and many greens that i can smoothie,juice ,and plain old munch on in my salads. I also have celery, baby carrots, fennel, cukes and my FAVE zucchini as salad toppers too.

Ask your belly what it wants as you are shopping in the store.

Godd luck and keep us posted on your progress:)

JMD

[lil fairy z girl]

i think everyone has given lots of good advice already.
for me i buy mushrooms, as i like these marinated in olive oil and herbs. i also get carrots, tomatoes, celery, avocados, red peppers, lemons, walnuts, dates etc..

hope you enjoy your shop,

best wishes
sal
~*~*~*