I believe that raw is the way to go but...

[Lovin'life]

I don't know how I can do it. I don't want to sprout and dehydrate. Does anyone just eat raw food w/out all that extra prep? Is there anyone out there with yeast allergy/sensitivity? I'm afraid of the yeast die-off I'll go through if I go raw.

[MOTH]

I have no problems eating fruit and salads, in what seems like infinite variety. I love how fast and simple it is to just grab some fruit or veg for dinner.

[Rawkinlocs]

I don't sprout and I very RARELY dehydrate but no, you don't have to do anything you don't want to do...simply eating fresh fruits and veggies is great if that is what you and your body feel led to do!

As for yeast, well, not sure if our situations are the same, but prior to raw I had chronic yeast infections and oral thrush. Going raw (no restrictions needed) caused both of those problems to go away! The first few weeks of raw I did have a massive yeast infection but it cleared up never to return! Don't be afraid of die-off or detox or any of that. Trust me when I tell you it'll be much better and smoother than problems that could arise if you DON'T make any dietary changes! Things could get much worse if you don't take any action at all to remedy what ails you. You may not even have any reactions at all...don't fear the unknown...just take action and have faith!

[ShelShel]

I don't think you will have a problem, if you don't do those things. I don't care for sprouts myself. I have a dehydrator, but almost never use it. My blender however is my best friend. :D
There are also on line store for raw foods. So, you can order crackers, bread, biscotti...all raw! Just type in raw food recipes...into your google window and watch the raw world come to life before your eyes. :p
However, I find I do the absolute best on simple stuff.
Peel that 'Naner and just eat!

[Adensspell]

I was a gourmet cook and I LOVE the recipes! However, sometimes I eat just fruit or plain veggies or salads for my meals. There is no requirement to eat recipe-stlye gourmet food, it's only my personnel preference as well as some others. There are plenty of what we call mono-eaters. That refers to no prep one type food meals. A lot of times it's hard to eat all raw with no recipes but if you think you can do it then go for it! Good luck.

[StarFire]

I do sprout rye or barley for the Chili Recipe in Alissa's book - or for the bagels - things like that ... i make them on occasion - freeze some to enjoy later. But as far as sprouting alfalfa - stuff like that - no - I don't sprout them... it's too easy to buy them if I want them! plus my kitchen is so small... I just don't have any extra room for sprouting!

Mono eating -- or fresh veggie combinations are wonderful.... that's the beauty of this LIFEstyle -- we can make it as simple as we want it -- or indulge in a gourmet feast on occasion too!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/sun.gif

[belleadonna]

I am pretty much of a purist. I eat just fruits and veggies and very small amounts of nuts. If I want something different, I will have a raw food bar. They are easy to carry too. I don't make any raw dishes other than a salad.

[Dimond]

Got rid of Candida on raw without having to cut out anything & without any ill effects. I also eat mostly simple, low prep meals unless I buy them from other sources. There are tons of real simple recipes with few ingredients and prep work.

[Raene]

This time around on raw I have refused to take out my dehydrator...it's in a box downstairs. Many well-known, aka famous, raw foodists don't use dehydrators b/c it's still altering foods. I just think it takes too much time/space for my enjoyment. I HATE sprouts! I believe in eating simple meals as nature intended, without a dehydrator or other equipment. A blender is my only tool that I couldn't possibly live without b/c I make green smoothies and hemp milk 2-3 times a day.

[zig_zag]

I am pretty much of a purist. I eat just fruits and veggies and very small amounts of nuts. If I want something different, I will have a raw food bar. They are easy to carry too. I don't make any raw dishes other than a salad.


Hey what kind of raw food bars do you eat?

[hibisanpo]

rememeber...this is the living foods lifestyle. just eat the foods in their closest natural state. that's all!

i just discovered Raw Revolution food bars. i occasionally get the cashew and spirulina, andthe chocolate/ raspberry if i have a chocolate craving. they are about $2, but filling, so i only eat a half at a time

[ShelShel]

There are also Larabars. Just read the label some are raw and others are 90%. I still have a cinnamon one in the kitchen I haven't had yet. Wonder what that tastes like? Hummmm..."walks away to taste larabar....munch, munch, munch..." :D

[Lovin'life]

I had almonds processed w/ 2 dates and a little water topped with frozen berries this morning. You know what's silly though - I microwaved the berries to soften them and it didn't occur to me that I was cooking them! It's going to take time to reeducate myself I guess. :o

[faith4u]

I don't sprout very often anymore either. I burned myself out. I rarely dehydrate too.

I tend to prefer fresh whole food over anything else.

The great thing is that with just a food processor alone you can make lots of quick, easy meals that take less than 5 or 10 minutes.

Mainly I use my Vita Mix and food processor. Other than that I eat the food just like it comes. :)

[belleadonna]

Hey what kind of raw food bars do you eat?

I think that they are called, "The Raw Food Bar".

[RawHeaven]

I recently got a great deal on a used 4 tray excalibur dehydrator. I paid $50 bucks for it, I was so happy when I got it as I had been wanting one for months. I used it twice. lol. I've realized I'm not really into the dehydrated foods anymore...like crackers and breads and stuff like this. I'm much more interested in simple foods that I can prepare in the food processor or blender. I use both daily. I sold the dehydrator and made a nice little profit. With the extra money I bought myself a travel blender. :p

I do love sprouts, they give me so much energy. I have alfalfa seeds and mung beans sitting in my cupboard waiting for me to sprout them, but haven't gotten around to it yet. Even though I have 3 books telling me how to do it. lol. I've learned to give myself time to transition into new things...right now I'm just taking it easy eating mono meals and simple meals. I feel great. You can be very flexible with raw food preparation to suit your preferences.

[FloridaPatty]

I've had a garden for years and it takes me months to get food to my mouth. With sprouting I can garden and it takes days to make food. That is one great deal!

[lily]

I've been raw for over 2 years now and have never felt the need to buy a dehydrator. Occasionally if I want to try a recipes which requires one, i use my oven on its lowest setting, checked with an oven thermometer.

Sprouts, for me, come and go... I'm not 'on' them at the moment, but if I get in the mood, I might do batch.

So you certainly don't need either a dehydrator or lots of sprouts to enjoy being raw.

lily

[chilove]

Hello there,

I'm sorry I don't have the time now to read all the responses in the thread. I'm sure you've been reassured that you can just eat a very simple raw fdiet if that is what you prefer.

I just wanted to share my own personal experience. When I first went raw I needed and wanted a lot of the more complicated, concentrated, highly flavored, and dehydrated food. This lasted for about a year and a half. Then I slowly and gradually got tired of all that preparing and I realized that more simply that I ate hte more energy and vitality I had and that I simply felt great and was very, very happy all the time eating this way. I sold most of my appliances and "uncook" books and at 4 and a half years raw am extremely happy eating a VERY simple diet. You'll find that as your body cleans out your tastes (and other senses) become enhanced and you will enjoy the flavor of plain fruits and veggies much, much more. :-)

Blessings,

Audrey
www.rawhealing.com

[zig_zag]

Chilove- Would you be willing to share what you eat on a typical day-to-day basis? I always get a bit scared eating too simply or mono whilst raw, for fear of not getting enough varied nutrients, minerals, fats, proteins and calories... It might be reassuring to see someone thriving on a minimalistic diet, and how they do so... thanks;)