Veggies that are off limits?

[Autumn]

Are there certain veggies that just can't be eaten raw? I can't imagine eating raw string/green beans or English peas or yams. What about the hard squashes?

Do you all eat raw greens such as escarole, collards, mustard and turnip greens?

[glad_2beme]

I can't think of anything that you can't eat. There are some great collard threads on here. Oh and btw - welcome.

[Rawkinlocs]

Autumn,

There are varying opinions about this very thing. Some raw foodists only eat what they consider to be biologically appropriate or optimal and this EXCLUDES things that are hard to digest such as the hard squashes, the more cellulous-dense things such as brocolli, kale, collards, etc.

But many of us do eat them, sometimes because we like them and sometimes because we have been told they're good for us and have certain nutrients and vitamins, etc.

I eat greens either marinated or as a wrap or blended in smoothies (mostly kale and spinach in smoothies). But I was told once that even when blending or marinating, the cellulose content is so high that my body is STILL not really digesting and assimilating it properly and that it's best to eat tender baby spinach leaves and green lettuces for me greens.

So, this is quite up to you to listen to your own body and instinct as to which veggies you will and won't eat. But if you'd like a "guide" as to what veggies are considered by some raw fooders to be optimal or not, I can provide a link for you...just send me a PM!

[smasty]

Dehydrated yams have become one of my most cherished treats!!

[Autumn]

Thanks for all the replies! I guess I'll just do some experimenting, yes?

Glad - thanks for the welcome - I'm in AL, too. I do a search for the collard threads. I've come to love them since moving here 5.5 years ago. :)

Rawkinlocs- I would love a guide, please. I will send a PM as soon as you tell me what it is? :D A postal money order? Is the cellulose-density higher in relation to the toughness of the greens? For instance, we grow our own collards, but pick them when the leaves are very small (hand size), as opposed to the massive leaves you see in the markets.

Smasty-Amazingly, I still don't own a dehydrator. That is my next purchase, now that I have a good juicer and blender. Are dehydrated yams crispy like potato chips or soft like, say, sun-dried apricots?

[Rawkinlocs]

LOL@ "Postal Money" order :D. No, a PM is a Private Message. But that's okay, I'll just post it here. I just didn't want it to turn into a huge debate or mess because the views expressed are pretty cut and dry. But it's something to consider and maybe something to work towards as one is raw longer and longer. Here's the link: http://rawschool.com/bestrawfoods.htm

[smasty]

Dehydrated yams, for me, are about as close to beef jerky as you can get in the veggie world. I marinate yam slices in a mix of nama shoyu, amarillo pepper, lime juice and olive oil. Then dry them...they are very chewy (hard chewy like jerky, not soft-chewy like apricots) and take a while to eat. I cut them a little less than 1/4 " thick, a little more than 1/8"...3/16" to be exact.

[glad_2beme]

oh gee - alabama WHERE???

[Autumn]

Smasty- they sound yummy. I will keep them in mind when I get a dehydrator.

Glad - Montgomery, you?

Rawkinlocs- oooooops, sorry. :o After I signed off last time, I thought, Ohhhh, maybe it's "personal mail". :) Thanks for the link. I won't comment on the info, since I see your point.

[glad_2beme]

get out - me too!!! do you know about the organic produce sale tomorrow at the farmers market on Coleseum? It is every other Monday, from 10 -1

[SimplyRawesome]

Autumn,

I eat raw string beans all the time. During the summer, I eat them right off the bush or vine in my garden. One for me two for the basket, one for me two for the basket!!! As I kid, I would grab one in the grocery store and munch on it while my mother or grandmother were shopping. Come to think of it, I still do that!!! :D

I dehydrate sweet potatoes with raw almond butter and honey on them, but often end up dipping the sweet potato chips into the almond butter mixture and eating them before they even hit the dehydrator tray!! ;)

I just had a sandwish with raw kale on it. Yummmm...

It's all GOOD!!!

[glad_2beme]

ok mom,
do you put the honey and almond butter on them and then dehydrate or do you mean you dehydrate 1st and dip in almond butter and honey??????????

[Autumn]

Glad,
Oh wow, isn't that funny?! I'd crack up if we found out we live in the same neighborhood. I hardly know any of my neighbors, so it's possible. *looks up and down street to see if someone matches your pic* :D No, I didn't know about the sale. I will definitely mark it on my calendar though. Too bad hubby and I'll be working all day tomorrow. :( He and I will have to play hooky some Monday and go. Do they usually have a good selection/prices?

[glad_2beme]

yea they do , but you got to get there early. today's list is all kinds of things including mangoes, avocados, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, I mean the list was really long, cant think of all right now. The prices run right along with the non-organic prices at the store, in fact the avacados are usually less, alot is about the same or less. Just remember its every other Monday

[Autumn]

Glad - How do you get a list in advance?

[glad_2beme]

I will pm you the email and you send them one and ask to be put on their mail list, they will email every other week for advance orders and to let you know what they have avail.

[SimplyRawesome]

ok mom,
do you put the honey and almond butter on them and then dehydrate or do you mean you dehydrate 1st and dip in almond butter and honey??????????
I mix equal amounts of raw almond butter and honey together and then I spread it on the sweet potato slices, then dehydrate them for 8-10 hours. The recipe is in Alissa's book. They come out chewy and yummy. Even my SAD husband likes them!!! :eek:

[glad_2beme]

I gotta re-read it I missed that one - thanks MOM ;)

[MaxMarie]

Thanks for the list RawInLocks. I'm looking at the things labeled flavorless and unpalatable and thinking how much of them I eat. I love sprouted lentils. Love love LOVE! I made Juliano's apple/beet combo with ginger and MMMMM good! Pumpkin puree is one of my fave yummy things. As is the butternut squash puree. It's like my pretend soup. I guess I'm an abusive thrill seeker... I love garlic.

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for the list RawInLocks. I'm looking at the things labeled flavorless and unpalatable and thinking how much of them I eat. I love sprouted lentils. Love love LOVE! I made Juliano's apple/beet combo with ginger and MMMMM good! Pumpkin puree is one of my fave yummy things. As is the butternut squash puree. It's like my pretend soup. I guess I'm an abusive thrill seeker... I love garlic.

You're welcome MaxMarie! I understand what you're saying because I, too, eat a LOT of those foods listed as less than optimal. But I also understand the concept of that site because think about it, most of those things we use in recipes or mixed with something else. Fruit, we just eat it as is for the most part although it, too, is used in recipes or smoothies, etc. But as for squash, onions, garlic...not too many people probably sit around and nibble on those things, commenting on how good and delicious it is. I love onions and garlic too, in other foods...but I don't think I'd be found eating a clove of garlic or an onion like it was an apple. But I have zucchini slices that have been marinated in the dehydrator now and from what I've tasted, they are gonna be good! But I don't think I'd like to eat just slices of plain zucchini cause it's too bland.

So, I think that it's something that a lot of raw fooders will end up gravitating to more the longer they're raw, the less they feel the need for recipes and the more they settle on a simpler raw diet. Some will and some won't, though.

[golfngardennut]

Rawkinlocks, after reading that link it looks like I should subsist on water only! As I was reading it, I mentally made notes that discounted most of their points - obviously, I am not a believer

[glad_2beme]

I have been to the entire site before and I personally do not find it beneficial - Note - this is only my personal opinion

[waken]

I once mistook some head cabbage for lettuce and put some on a sandwich I was eating. I wouldn't care to do that again, ever. I would stay away from any white head cabbage. That is the only thing I can think of that really can't be eaten raw.
-Waken

[veggrace]

Mix together 1/2 head read or green cabbage, one sliced banana, one sliced orange, one apple, and a handful of raisins. Use 1 Tbsp. flax oil, 1/2 TBSP honey and the juice of an orange for the dressing. It's delicious! (tastes better with red cabbage)
OR
Blend 1/2 cup soaked almonds with 1/2 cup distilled water, sea salt, either 2-3 dates or 1 TBSP honey in the food processor, then add that dressing to 1/2 head green cabbage, 1 diced carrot, 1 diced celery stalk and 1 small diced apple.