honey allergy

[newbie]

Hello,

This is my first post so I'll take just a minute to introduce myself. I'm a 37 yo homeschooling mom of 3 girls(12,8,6) with another blessing due in July. I was a vegetarian for many years and then, without going into all the details now, switched back to the SAD diet. Even during my vegetarian years, my diet probably wasn't that healthy and balanced - not enough raw, too many processed foods and grains. I am now ready to get healthy again and am looking to do a mostly raw food diet. I don't feel like I can go too healthy too fast since I'm pregnant and can't really detox right now (sounds crazy doesn't it - can't eat too well, I'm pregnant!) My husband has a bunch of health problems and will be doing this too. Hopefully my girls will get adventuresome and try some new foods too - they are pretty picky.

Now, for my question. I am just about ready to order Allison's book and DVD, but I'm wondering if a lot of the recipes have honey in them. My husband is allergic to honey so I can't use it. For those of you who don't eat honey, for whatever reasons, can you help me know how to substitute something else in its place.

Thank you so much for answering my questions. Has anyone else done this change while pregnant?

That's it for now,
Newbie (otherwise known as Tina :-)

[glad_2beme]

Welcome Tina - loads of info around here for you to read. I have the book and dvd - not alot of honey at all. It will be the best investment for you and your family. Lots of yummy ideas. Have questions just ask, welcome aboard

[newbie]

After I posted I realized I misspelled Alissa's name - not Allison - so sorry!

Tina

[Rawkinlocs]

Welcome Newbie!

As Glad2beme said, no, there aren't a lot of recipes using honey BUT, even for the one's that do, don't feel you have to skip over them because anytime honey is used, you can substitute with agave nectare, dates or even raisin soak water (the water that raisins were soaked in for 8 hours or more).

I most often times use dates as a sweetner in recipes even when the call for honey. Just blend in with the ingredients or soak them for at least 2 hours or longer and blend into a paste (using small quantities at a time of the soak water).

Also rejoice in knowing that, the more you and your family eat raw and the longer you're raw, you may find many "allergies" becoming non-existent! My daughter used to be "allergic" to oranges or any citrus and now she can eat all the oranges she likes! :D

[Olive]

Welcome Tina!

I don't eat honey for ethical reasons, but I substitute agave nectar like Rawkinlocs suggested. It comes from the agave cactus. I don't know where you're located, but most natural food stores either have it or can order it for you. You can also get it online. It's about the same consistency and sweetness of honey, so it subs perfectly!

[newbie]

Thank you for your replies. It's so nice to have such a wonderful resource as this for asking questions. I ordered Alissa's book and DVDs today - yeah! I can't wait to get it.

Tina

[Sharon in Colorado]

I love agave nectar because is it very liquidy, tastes just like cotton candy and easily dissolves in liquid. In the Rockies here our honey gets so stiff and crystalizes due to the dryness.

Also I think you can't go wrong getting all the fruits and veggies you can into you during your pregnancy, for any level of raw you choose to achieve. You are essentially in a higher detox mode anyway during pregnancy, especially in the first tri.

Interestingly, I was just reading in "Your Body's Many Cries for Water" today how morning sickness is related to dehydration and to make sure you are well hydrated with clean water during this time. Don't know how true that is, but sure wish I'd known that as I had a lot of morning sickness with my 3 pregnancies.

All the best to you and your little one to come.