Having a Meltdown

[Wendy]

I've been trying very hard to get more raw in my life, and trying to do some of the raw recipes. I have no problem just eating a piece of fruit or salad as is, but I want more variety.

The problem is my recipes are either not tasting so great to me or are hard to make because I am missing an ingredient or two. I am especially frustrated by recipes that require soaking, sprouting, and dehydrating because I am hungry NOW.

So, I've been trying to be more prepared, buying my ingredients/soaking ahead of time.

Here's some of the things I've tried: raw nut cheese (didn't have red bell pepper and used a green one), NASTY; flaxseed crackers, (tried to make sweet and spicy ones, spicy tasted weird and the sweet ones didn't taste sweet); raw marinara recipe from Sad to Raw site, (didn't taste as good as Alissa's, too heavy on sun dried tomatoes), raw zucchini and squash for "fake spaghetti," (too crunchy, didn't have saladacco, used vegetable peeler instead). Now I am currently dehydrating the Onion Rings and marinating the KFC Coleslaw recipe. I can only hope they turn out ok.

The only thing that has turned out decent for me is Alissa's rawvioli recipe.

This is what has been happening. I go through a lot of trouble making something, seems like a lot of time, and it ends up tasty yucky. I get discouraged. My back and legs hurt from standing up and from stirring, using the Vitamix, moving items in it that get stuck, rinsing & washing it out.

Because I have fibromyalgia, it is easy to get tired and to hurt. If the recipe tastes awful, I don't want to eat anything and I get upset. Also, fibromyalgia affects your senses: I can smell extremely well and am sensitive to light and noise (the vitamix makes me climb up the wall). I have always been quite fussy about food, and when things don't taste right, I can be a pill.

SO, I am asking if anyone has suggestions or easy to do recipes, quick recipe, and consistently good and TASTY. I am waiting for my Raw In Ten book (ten minute raw recipes) that seem to be right up my alley. I've also ordered Alissa's book, but haven't received it yet. But for now I am frustrated and feeling like raw is hard for me.

I don't mean to sound like a whiney baby, but that's what I feel like now!

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Wendy,

I know how you feel, it was kinda like that for me when I first got into doing raw recipes. I can recall tossing a lot of stuff out from not liking it and that's fine that you don't like some things because as it is when eating cooked food, you just won't like everything.

Sometimes you have to deviate from the recipe and make it your own.

Try the pimento cheese recipe posted here and try it with a red pepper and see if you like it. Also, to avoid things from being a TOTAL waste, half or quarter the recipe if possible. I hardly EVER use the exact measurements if I'm trying something new because of the fact that I may not like it.

When making sweet flax crackers, make sure you taste-test for sweetness before you dehydrate it. If you haven't tossed them already, take those sweet ones you made and spread some almond butter that's been mixed with honey (or whatever sweetener you use) and spread it on the sweet crackers..some top with berries or bananas (I personally like bananas sliced on top best!)

When you DO find the recipes you like, make them and make them often until you build up your repitoire more.

I'm sure when you get those two books (I preordered Raw In Ten too) it'll be a BIG help to you. But for now, stick with what you know and love best even it it's the basics.

As for posting simple, great-tasting recipes...that's kinda hard because everyone's tastebuds are different. There are some things I read people saying taste so wonderful, but to ME it's yuck! Then there are some things some people don't like that I truly love!

From Sad to Raw and Living-Foods.com are probably the best places to get recipe ideas as they have many more than we could possibly post here that we haven't already posted.

Also, what I often do is when I crave something from my cooked past, I'll think of all the ingredients used and then figure out how I can make it raw - sometimes you can and sometimes you can't (like donuts...OH to find a way to make raw donuts!)
But that's how I ended up making my first raw peach pie! I knew that the peaches are normally in syrup, softened, buttery-tasting, etc. But HOW could I do this without cooking? So, I blended some dates with water to make a paste/syrup, added some cinnamon, a squeeze or two of lemon juice, a little vanilla, allspice and a little sea salt for a "faux-buttery taste" I marinated peeled, diced peaches in this syrup in the fridge for a couple of days (I know...not a "wanna-eat-right-now" thing to do, but I was willing to wait for this) and when I tasted that mixture...Oh MY was it good...would not have known it wasn't "traditional" peach pie filling!

Made a nut-based crust and I was in business! The crust was the only thing that wasn't exactly like it's cooked counterpart, but it was still just as good!

So sometimes you can come up with your own creations based on making things in a raw version that you used to make cooked.

I wanted to add one more thing (as if this post wasn't already long enough :o ) but about the zucchini pasta...I found that the first bites were crunchy, but as I ate and the sauce had a chance to get into it, it gets softer. You can also try putting in the dehydrator for a little bit OR...cut up the zucchini first, put in a bowl and toss with a little olive oil and allow it to marinate in the dehydrator while you make the sauce. That might soften it up a bit.

[Wendy]

Thanks so much! Yes, I learned early to only make half or 1/4 recipes. The problem is my Vitamix doesn't do small batches well. My mom has a regular food processor she doesn't use at all, but I would need a small bowl.

Thanks for all the advice and support.

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Hi there Wendy-

Oh boy, if I had a dollar for everything I threw down the drain! Don't be hard on yourself- some of these recipes are a real flop- I think that if you are raw long enough, then your tastebuds may adjust to the tastes of some of the not so great recipes- and a lot has to do with ripe produce too- I find myself using 'not so ripe' veggies and fruit because I'm in a hurry to get the food made and in my belly...

These are the few recipes that I really like, and that my SAD family likes too:

The Raw Lasange- http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1721&highlight=lasagne

Yani's Raw Chili- http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1231&highlight=chili

I also like Alissa's marinara sauce and noodles, her onion dip is really good, and her enchiladas are REALLY good! Her cannolis are very good too, of course the date nut torte is the best! Alissa's book has tons of great stuff in it- I'm just touching the surfice here... :D (I am also waiting for my copy of "Raw in Ten"... that one will be interesting!)

Trust me, finding things you like is a trial and error process. Once you are raw for a while, things will start tasting better...

Good luck to you!
Melissa

[Wendy]

Thanks guys! The onion rings came out good and the KFC coleslaw is marinating in the fridge, I have hopes for it cuz I keep taking little bites and it tastes good.

I'll check out all the recipes you guys suggested! Thanks!

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

I totally understand, sometimes I am so hungry and there is nothing done, it is all in the dehydrator.

Allisa's book has a raw menu planner in the beginning, which uses alot of recipes that are NOT dehydrated, until I believe it is the 4th week.

So there are lots of fast recipes to make there.

My favorites are a big garden salad, fresh fruit, and a handful of nuts.

I always have at least one type of nut or grain soaking in my kitchen, so the next day I can make something.

If I am hungry I make my corn chowder the recipe is in my 30 day raw journal, it is fast and easy and filling, I can eat it every day for over a week, and never tire of it.

I know every ones taste buds are different, but raw soups seem to always be good and filling.

Use tomatoes for the base, with a little garlic, onion and basil, some olive oil, and then pretty much any kind of veggie you like

or for a cream soup, use almond milk (non sweatened) and add salt, olive oil, and corn blap this all up in a blender and then add veggies, it is really good, you will need a lot of salt for the almond milk. I warm this either in the dehydrator or on very low on the stove, just to finger temperature, it is so yummy,

Mushrooms stuffed with any pate' can be filling, and quick, plus a portabella mushroom with avocado, braggs, a slice of onion, and a slice of tomatoe, I don't like avocado so I use amond butter, it is delicious.

You might try that it is easy and fast, and super filling.

Good luck,
Rawpriestess

[Wendy]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been doing better this week, have more of the items I need. I really need a menu and a plan though!