Raw food for the long haul

[Blazin'Jane]

I have eaten 98% raw for one month and sure do enjoy the addional energy I feel. I swim a mile 2 or 3 nights a week, ride a road bike 2 or 3 days a week (weather permitting, which it is currently not!), and do yoga, free weights and other strength work 2 or 3 days a week. I'm pretty active for a 65 y.o. My concern is about food for long distance bicycle riding that we'll do this summer. We ride about 50 miles a day when the whether is nice, so pack snacks along. Now that I don't eat Luna Bars any more, I'm wondering how to accomodate. Also, we go for at least one week long bike trip every summer, which means a week on the road away from my own food, except what I can pack along. I think having a dehydrator will help. I plan to buy one next month. I'm interested how others solve this sort of challenge. I'm sure it can be done -- just haven'tfigured it all out. yet. Ideas???

[rande]

i used to love luna bars, but now i eat lara bars! cherry pie is my favorite... :)

[Blazin'Jane]

Thanks, rande! Luna Bars have been my staple as well. I've ordered some raw bars and hope to make some crackers and cookies that will pack well. Are you a biker? Pedaling type?? I'm wondering about good drinks, too, for electrolyte replacement and all of that. :)

[theresaann]

from what I've read from the Boutenkos and the Storm Tilifero (not sure if that's the right spelling), they eat dried fruit and nuts on hiking trips and stuff. You could check out their websites: :)

rawfamily.com
thegardendiet.com

[Blazin'Jane]

Thanks, Theesaann! :D

[trinity082482]

I love bringing fresh fruit with me.. or even some celery sticks. they really dont taste bad if they are not cold from the fridge, same with banana's and apples. They are yummy!

[Blazin'Jane]

Thanks, Trinity! :)

[Tri-girl]

I run, swim and bike long distances. I also do weights and pilates. I am looking for people that have been raw for awhile and can tell me what to pack for long rides, runs, etc.

I have only been raw for a couple of weeks.

Also, does anyone know how to keep the flax crackers fresh and crispy? I'm not sure how to store them. Make my first pizza today. Haven't eaten it yet but looking forward to it.

[Blazin'Jane]

We were finally able to get out for a long bike ride yesterday. Not that long, really, only 20 miles, but it was the first day that it's hit 40 degrees so we went for it. I filled my bottle with AIM Barley Xtra, took a banana along, and also shared some carob confections with my biking friends afterwards. The recipe for those yummies is in Nomi shannon's RAW GOURMET. It wasn't a big breakthrough, but at least a beginning for knowing how to handle long distances when the warm weather comes and we go 50 miles or so. I'm still waiting for my dehydrator. When it comes, I'll try some cookies and crackers that will keep. O, also in Nomi's book is a recipe for energy bars, which she says keep a long time. They look really substantial -- made with wheat berries. Keep my posted, trigirl. We can enjoy this adventure together. I did find that I had plenty of energy for the ride yesterday. Of course, I've lost 14 lbs. since the first of the year, so I was hauling less weight. It makes a difference. ;)

[Blazin'Jane]

Tri-girl, I've kept flax crackers for weeks, just stored in Tupperware in a moderatedly cool place --just a kitchen cabinet--and they do fine.
Also, I just got an order of the raw bars on Alissa's site, ate one, and it was pretty tasty. I just got back from a long weekend spa visit with my 6 daughters. I have only been raw since the 27th of Dec. (almost 8 weeks now), and packed alot to take with me. Soem will work for biking, some not --like the Sunny Pate`. It travelled fine in the airplane, but probably wouldn't hold up very long on the back of my bike mid-summer. However, flax crackers did fine, carob balls are very portable, and I made several varieties of cookies. I had just gotten my dehydrator and wanted to try it out. Some of the cookies could have benefittted by a longer dehydrating time, but I was in a big fat hurry to pack and go. My point is, there are lots of possibilities for the long distance sports beyond lots of fruits and veggies. Let me know what you come up with.;)

[pearlgirl]

This may or may not help with your drink solutions: try young coconut water mixed in with the water in your bottle. Coconut water is superior in electrolytes and I will somtimes drink it straight after an intense work out. It seems to really help me. Also, SmartWater is a good choice too for plain bottled water. It also has added electrolytes. I find it at Whole Foods or bigger supermarkets in the water section.
Good luck and have fun!:)

[hypnocmt]

You could also mix some spirulina powder into your fave energy bar recipe.:D

[eatyourbroccoli]

i used to put dates in the back pockets of my cycling shirts

also, juiced celery and juiced cucumber 1:1 will give you a water that is fulllll of electrolytes

orange juice for an extra energy burst, too

[Blazin'Jane]

Great suggestions, all! We're making our way into the biking season now, and taking one ride at a time, I've stayed ahead of the hydration and nutrition issues. I don't now do any juicing at home, but I will look for the Smart Water.

[belleadonna]

Has anyone ever tried Think Organic bars?? They are all raw and really delicious. My favorites are the apricot/coconut and the chocolate/coconut.

[Tri-girl]

I've been trying all different types of fuel on my long bike rides. I've carried fruit, burgers, made juices and put them in the bottles. Not sure yet what is best but I will try to pass it on as I try different things.:)