raw spices?

[laureliz85]

Hi. I was wondering if there were such a thing as raw spices? when a recipe calls for things such as garlic salt or vanilla, what do you use? i just bought organic fair-trade vanilla, so is that considered raw? and as for the spices, can I use any brand or type?

[SmilingRawDancer]

The spices are where I consider myself not raw.
I just use whatever. Generally, I use whole garlic cloves vs. powder, but I use dried herbs, and I use vanilla extract from costco.