ok, need your wisdom

[rjyoda]

Well, here I am and I have decided to go raw. Now I need some easy starter suggestions on what to eat. I plan on getting a juicer today after work. I used to have a vegan potluck at my house every Sunday, but I am kind of clueless on how to prepare food raw. Most of the recipes I am seeing are a bit too intricate for me just yet. Any suggestions?

[Revvell]

If you've not already done so, get Alissa book AND video. She shows how easy it can be to live raw.

Most will start with some of the more "gourmet" recipes yet, it's not necessary. Just include lots of variations in salads, some crunch (as in raw crackers), sweets (can be just some good raw fruit or easy to make raw pies, fudge, etc; green smoothies (fruits blended with greens) and you're pretty much good to go! Oh! Remember the fats. A lot of folk here seem to think fats are not necessary. Avos and nuts are definitely something to indulge in.

Injoy ~

Revvell

[wildflower]

Congratulations on going raw and good luck on your journey.

I have been raw for 6 weeks and two things have really helped me.

Green smoothie made in food processor: 1 banana, handful of frozen blueberries, handful of kale, couple of Tablespoons of ground flax seeds, seseme seeds (ground in coffee grinder; $13 at WalMart), and kelp powder. I feel this is nutritious, very filling and very good.

Also I like my oatmeal: 1/2 C. raw oats, 1 apple (juice and pulp from my Champion juicer, but you could use food processor), dates and walnuts. Could add raisins and any kind of nuts or seeds. This is great for traveling. I separate my oats and apples and mix together, add nuts and dates when I need a meal.

This is a great web site for support and suggestions.

[siempresam]

Hi, welcome, and good luck!

I haven't gone 100% raw yet but I would say that I am doing a 50% - 75% raw diet every day. I am trying to incorporate more raw foods in my diet to see what I do and don't like, and to get myself used to preparing raw foods.

One site which I have grown to love (besides this one of course) is From Sad to Raw - www.fromsadtoraw.com (http://www.fromsadtoraw.com/). There are some fabulous before and after pictures. AND there is a recipe page with tons of recipes. I haven't really tried any of them yet, but I am planning on it.

I would also agree that you should get Alissa's DVDs and book. While a little pricey it is so worth it. Going raw can be so overwhelming unless you have some good guidance. The DVD is fantastic because she makes seemingly complicated recipes seem effortless (they always seem more complicated on paper!) and the ladies are fun to watch and listen to (one of them reminds me of my mother-in-law with her expressions). The book is great because she provides a 30-day meal plan AND shopping list (for the 30-day challenge), which is completely helpful. The recipes are also great.

The nice thing about Alissa's recipes (or any raw recipes for that matter) is the fact that you can figure out how to alter things to your tastes. For example, her Mock Salmon Pate is great (and is on www.alissacohen.com (http://www.alissacohen.com/)), but I have found that some garlic cloves and lemon juice are great additions to the recipe.

If you have a dehydrator I would suggest dehydrating some apples and bananas for snackss, and if you have a blender then make lots of smoothies. You'll find that some of the juicier fruits will provide enough liquid so you won't need a base (pineapple is really juicy).

Salads are also great. I love a simple salad of arugula or spinach with avacado and walnuts and some fresh lemon or lime squeezed on top and a little bit of celtic sea salt to give it a salty flavor.

I am sure that you'll do fine. Good luck!