Food Challenges in Alaska

[Nature Mom]

Hi All,

I just posted in the "who are you" section.

I'm new, new, new to raw and I was wondering if anyone here lives in Alaska? We definitely have some unique challenges here when it comes to the quality of food. I lived in Los Angeles until a year ago and had never in my life seen moldy, rotting produce for sale!

I had a rather diastrous week of preparing raw food for my family and I think much had to do with the poor quality of the produce!

Does anyone else stuggle with this?

Thank you all, it's a blessing to be here!

Shawna

[Ireland]

Hi Shawna. I moved to beautiful British Columbia from the Northwest Territories (Canada's frozen North) two years ago and I'm loving the quality and variation of produce here.

I first tried raw while living up North and it wasn't near as easy...yes, I know the moldly, horrible produce that mid winter offers. I used to drive 3 hours to get to a decent store so needless to say, I didn't go that route very often.

However, I belive if there's a will, there's (usually and almost always) a way.

Perhaps you can look into possible food co-ops? Are you closer to a bigger centre you can maybe get to every so often...

I realize that towns in Alaska are often far from each other. (I used to live in the beautiful, wonderful, magical town of Homer - two of my kids were born there) I hope you come up with something because raw is definitelly the way to go. Just do what you can, that's the most important part.

Have fun :)

[Nature Mom]

Walkin'onWater,

Thank you for your encouraging post. Especially for reminding me to have fun! It is fun, isn't it? Everytime I eat raw food I think of sunshine (which is definitely a good thought for the soul in winter!)

I'm helping my son get well from several food allergies and the weakened immune system they caused and it was finding this forum that encouraged me and lifted my spirit.

I saw a reference on the mothering.com boards to Full Circle Farms in Washington that recently started delivering to Anchorage and will check them out.

We hope to visit Homer this summer, I've heard it's a must-visit town here.

Thank you again for your encouragement,
Shawna

[D'vorah]

At last, another Anchorage-ite!! Want to start a raw group of two?

I've failed to even approach raw since my son deployed, all I do is shove comfort food down my throat, so, not sure I'm the one to give you any advice here on the board, but I'd love to meet you.

Actually, I'm not toooooooooooo disappointed in the produce in Anchorage, organics are hard to find in good shape a lot of the time, though, except for locally grown in the summer.

Have you been to New Sagaya? They often have things I don't see in other stores, including okra, really nice dates and other types of greens. They are the suppliers for the various small Asian markets around town. At one point they were planning a "class" for medical patients, but I had a conflict and couldn't attend, I bet if we approached the produce manager together, we could get a little private class on some of the more rare greens and such that they stock.

Once they got in a shipment of fresh durians, and another time, rambutans, I missed both. :-/

Deborah

[Nature Mom]

Deborah,

I would love to start a raw group of two and I would love to meet you! I am so happy to find someone in Anchorage!

First, I am sorry your son has deployed to Iraq. I cannot imagine the pain and fear you must feel and please know that I will hold good thoughts for him everyday (and for you!)

Please don't worry about the comfort food, I totally understand that! We are not raw here by any means yet. We (my husband, son and I) are just getting started, trying to find a better way to eat so that we can all get healthy and be more in sync with nature and our bodies. At this point we're just trying to increase our raw food throughout the day and also try new (raw) recipes as we edge out old (cooked) ones.

I have been to New Sagaya a couple of times, though my focus on those visits wasn't primarily on produce I must say. It would be great to talk to them about a class for us, I would love to learn more about greens, especially new ones. I did see when I was there that they had durian in the freezer section, though I didn't buy it -- having never had one I wasn't sure what to do with it! :p

I think my discontent with the produce is due in large part to my last shopping expedition, it was particulary slim pickings and I had to throw away a lot of produce that seemed okay but wasn't. Also, the prices here still astound me. I still haven't stopped wishing for the ease of food shopping in LA, the abundance, the affordability, the reliability of quality and being able to shop at farmers' markets year-round. It's all about accepting what is and working with it, so I'm working on that! It is greatly encouraging to hear from you!

What a pleasure to hear from you Deborah! My email address is accessible here, please fee free to get in touch with me anytime!

Shawna

[D'vorah]

Shawna, I get it, I'm from Tampa. :-/

I'll email,

D

[Raw_wanabe]

Hello,
I’ve be reading posts on here for the past few weeks and finally decided to register; I am trying to gain the courage of doing Alissa’s 30 day challenge :eek: (I just finished her book). I also live in Anchorage and I agree that our selection is limited and expensive.
If you are thinking about starting a group here I’d definitely be interested in joining you guys. I think it would be great. Alissa mentions in her book that there is a raw food restaurant in Alaska, but I haven’t found out where. :cool:

[D'vorah]

Shawna and I met today, oh, what fun, what a sweet lady, and her adorable little boy!

Wanabe, there used to be an up-scale restaurant downtown that was offering raw meals, but I never tried them. Not sure if they still are or not. There also used to be a place in mid-town that did smoothies, but again, not sure if they are still in business or not. Sadly, good salad bars are lacking here. Oh, for a Zoopa's or Sweet Tomatoes.

Shawna's email is accessible here, I can't remember if I set mine for that or not, if you can't get me, try her. Our next meeting is going to be the produce section at New Sagaya's, but we didn't set day or time yet. We were thinking morning, because her hubby could watch their son.

Deborah

[Nature Mom]

Wow! Another person in Anchorage! :D

Deborah, it was great meeting you today! My son really liked you and I could have talked with you all day! Your graciousness, sweetness, knowledge and experience are a blessing in my life!

Raw wanabe -- please email me! We would love to have you join us. The more of us that can get together, the more support we can offer one another.

Regarding the restaurant -- could it be Organic Oasis? I don't know if they have raw food, just juices?

Alissa -- Bless you for starting this board and spreading the good word about raw food so far and wide!

Shawna

[D'vorah]

You can get a salad at Organic Oasis, but they aren't primarily raw, and they aren't cheap.

Deborah