Very Frustrated in Canada

[Stargazer]

I now have this big list of raw ingredients that I can't find anywhere and will have to order online. Almond butter, tahini, nori sheets, flax seeds, carob....I can't get any of it raw where I live. :( So far it seems that I can order from Nature's First Law, in California, but because I live in Ontario, it will be like having it shipped to the other side of the world. I really thought that I'd at least be able to find raw flaxseeds and carob....

This is really going to cost...over the long run. I know my health is worth it, but I sure wish the rest of the world could see how much we need these ingredients to be readily available.

On a happy note - I ordered my American Harvest Dehydrator and it should be here within 2 weeks! Yippee! :) :) :) I had to order directly from Nescoe because Walmart and Amazon don't ship to Canada.

Geez....maybe I should move? I love Canada though, so I guess I'll just have to pay up.

Claudia

[SedonaSun]

Geez....maybe I should move? I love Canada though, so I guess I'll just have to pay up.

Claudia

... or, start up your own Canada-based online raw store. :p

[Stargazer]

Hi Kelly :) That is not a bad idea - turn my complaints into action :D

I was just thinking that I could learn to make my own almond butter and tahini, since I've found raw almonds and sesame seeds here.

Claudia

[RawNaturale]

Have you checking into www.naturalzing.com?

Also, does Yahoo Canada have any raw e-groups? You might want to do a search and see if there are any yet...if not, you could start one. :)

Julie

EDIT: Hey, looky what I found....

http://www.consumerhealth.org/links/organic.html

Scroll down the page and you will see some markets in Ontario.

[sweetgoddess]

Hey, where are you in Ontario? How close to Toronto? Toronto has a raw food community. Let us know how you make out. You can also ask the owner of a health food store or even a supermarket to carry items for you. I have and they were happy to, especially a small health food store.
Best wishes~
Carmel

[Minibean]

Is it possible you're just not looking in the right places? Where in Ontario are you? I live in Newfoundland and I can get most of those things (except the nori and raw carob). Do any of the supermarkets in your area carry Maranatha brand nut butters? They make raw almond butter and raw tahini. Are there any specialty food stores you might try?

I've ordered food/ingredients from the US before, but having a lot of heavy stuff (like bottles of nut butters) shipped could get expensive.

Oh, and Sears carries Nesco dehydrators although they're pretty expensive, it may not have saved you anything.

By the way, that's a beautiful cat you have! :)

[Stargazer]

I live in Ottawa, which is about 6 hours from Toronto. So far I've searched all the groceries, bulk food stores and health food stores in my area, but I didn't try the opposite end of Ottawa - I could give them phone calls and see what they have - it would be worth it to drive for an hour and stock up if I could.

SweetGoddess: Thankyou - that's a good idea about asking my local health stores if they can carry these items - I will give that a try. :)

Julie: Thankyou SO MUCH! :) Naturalzing is so much closer to me. It would be easy to order from them. I'm so glad you shared that link with me. I do go to our organic markets in the summer - this is where I buy our raw honey. Generally they carry just organic fruits/veggies though, and I love those in summer.

Minibean: I did look at our Sears outlet and they didn't have any dehydrators. I didn't look in their catalogue though. I'm sure I could have ordered it since they are supposed to carry it. One good thing about ordering from Nescoe is that I was able to also order their "convert-a-tray" pack which allows more space vertically. You can only get those on their site.

I will keep up the battle! :)

Claudia

[Stargazer]

Oh, I forgot Minibean - thankyou for the compliment about my kitty. We have 3 and they are our family. :)

You are so lucky to live in beautiful Newfoundland. I visited St. Johns once on a work trip and I wish I could have explored more. I just couldn't believe how friendly the people are and how beautiful it is there.

Claudia

[sweetgoddess]

I found this for you :

Ottawa
monthly raw vegan potlucks held in the glebe
the last friday of each month.
contact: mark@simplyraw.ca
http://www.simplyraw.ca

Support Group
Name: SimplyRaw
Address: http://www.simplyraw.ca/
City Ottawa
State: Ontario
Zip: K1S2V1
Email: info@simplyraw.ca
Hours: 9-5 mon-fri
Description: A raw & living foods vegan consultancy, helping people to understand more about raw veganism, and make a gradual transition to incorporating more raw & living foods into their lives.

New Life Retreat
RR4, 453 Dobbie Road
Lanark, Ontario
K0G 1K0
Canada
Contacts: Chas Dietrich, Madeline Dietrich
613-259-3337
Fax 613-259-3103
healing@newliferetreat.com
www.newliferetreat.com
This retreat center offers a practical hands-on education for implementing and maintaining the living-foods lifestyle. Juicing, fasting, movement, meditation, emotional/spiritual support, silence, rest, and play also make up the program. This center is a one-hour drive from Ottawa, a four-hour drive from Toronto, or a three-hour drive from Montreal. All are welcome.

Woo-thats great! Go connect with these people- they will help you find out where the deals in your area are.
BEST WISHES~~
Carmel

[Stargazer]

Oh My Gosh! Sweet Goddess thankyou. How did I miss all of these groups and the retreat centre?

Okay, my newbie colors are showing. :o :rolleyes:

Wow, I'm so grateful, I wish I could hug you. :) I know what I'm going to be reading this afternoon, as soon as I finish this post.

I really did feel like I was floundering around in the dark.

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou. [Dancing up and down]

Claudia

[sweetgoddess]

Your so welcome! I hope you can find where to buy supplies, and a support network of other raw-fooders. That would be fantastic! Be sure to let us know how you fare.
Very best wishes~
Carmel