Do i have to use a cookbook?

[times are a changin]

I'm still pretty new to raw; but have lost 10 lbs since january and feel pretty good. I'm doing about 75% raw. But i've tried different recipes and different "cook" books, but i'm either a lousy cook or i just don't like the stuff. I've tried a number of recipes for bread, crackers and cheese.... yuk. i do like the angel hair zuchini with marinara, but i can't eat that everyday. Thankfully, Tippy (one of my dogs) will eat about anything... she LOVES everything i make; Annie is a bit more discriminating. So my question... can i do this on smoothies (greens and fruit), salads, and nuts and seeds? Do i have to "cook" at all? Will i get all the nutrients and everything i need just eating handfuls of stuff?

Also, what about powdered organic wheatgrass, and some of the "green" supplements? Am i just throwing my money away on those? I'm healthy, just overweight, but no other major disease thing going on.

I appreciate any suggestions people have!!

[Bodhi]

Not really. Just eat raw fruits, melons, and vegetables. Its that simple.

[shashibala]

You certainly don't have to "cook". Many recipes combine foods in ways that are not the best for us, so not "cooking" can be healthier. Recipes are to satisfy our tastes, our imaginations and our desires to prepare food and present it beautifully. They are tools to keep us from boredom and to keep us raw, but not necessary. Many people believe that eating as much as you want of just one food per meal is the best for digestion. As long as you feel satisfied and you are including a variety of foods in your diet, in my opinion, you should be fine.

[Hygeia]

You can make it without creating 'gourmet' uncooked meals.

I'm a big mono eater and try creating something different here and there. But for the most part I am simple. My daily meals include a piece of fruit every couple of hours and for lunch and dinner I alternate a lot between a few favorites that are not 'cooked' meals.

There are plenty of things for your to survive on that doesn't mean lots of prep and cooking.

[Stina]

Well, I love eating. I know eating isn't supposed to be a hobby but it's a source of pleasure to me. I wouldn't get this satisfaction unless I put some energy into following some raw recipe books. I especially like Ani Phyo's, Alissa's, and Elaina Love's.

[Blazin'Jane]

'Good to see you here, Times!!!
don't fuss with food if you don't want to! And if you're making green smoothies and eating salads I don't think you have to buy more greens in a jar. Some people eat more fruit than veggies, others do just the opposite. It's all good if it's raw! ;)

[rawfoodmommy#1]

For me personally eating simple works the best. So like other people on this forum said there is no need for a cook book.
take it easy

[RawHeaven]

Absolutely you can be raw without the gadgets and creating recipes. I fluctuate, sometimes eating simply and mono works for me for a week and then I find I want more variety and prepare some of the gourmet meals the following week. I love to prepare food and I LOOOVE to eat. I get a lot of pleasure from the color, texture and presentation of living foods which is why I like to use the raw prep books. Eating super simply consistently doesn't work for me just yet, but over time I see myself doing this. My body no longer wants certain foods that I craved in the beginning for example. They seem super heavy to me now, like a lot of the nut dishes as an example. My body is requiring less food daily...it's an interesting process.

[cara4art]

As others have said, this varies, and you don't have to buy every cookbook and gadget that comes down the pike or eat complicated recipes either if you don't want to. Plus, there are so-o many recipes to choose from on the web! Check out www.goneraw.com in fact - they have tons! In fact, many more advanced raw food people advocate eating very simply for the sake of one's digestion, and often people evolve towards a simple diet anyway if they stay raw for a long time. For myself personally, although I know that very simple is best, as in mono-meals and similar kinds of things, I need a little more variety at this stage. In the beginning many people need more filling, satisfying things nicely presented to help them transition and stick with raw. Over the past month, I've been using a dehydrator once a week or so, to learn how to make basic bread, cracker, granola, and cookie recipes, so I have a few items on hand to go with simple salads and wraps. I also do the green smoothies, so I do have a blender as well, just an inexpensive Osterizer which has served me well in making smoothies, grinding up seeds and nuts, and making dips and sauces. Even before seriously bumping up the raw in my diet, I was into blender stuff. So even with my experimentation, I don't have tons of dehydrated food around, more like one recipe per week which lasts a few days with eating just some, and the largest part of my food being simpler and fresh.
Keep this in mind, a sharp knife, a grater/shredder and a good cutting board should be the foundation of your food prep, and you can always add things as you choose. A blender IS nice to have though for smoothies, etc.

[Revvell]

So my question... can i do this on smoothies (greens and fruit), salads, and nuts and seeds? Do i have to "cook" at all? Will i get all the nutrients and everything i need just eating handfuls of stuff?


Preparing "gourmet" meals doesn't give you any more nutrients than just eating (or drinking ) the foods do. Actually, you'll be receiving more because dehydrating, cutting, chopping, etc. leads to fewer as they oxidize.

As far as will you be getting all you need ~ depends more on variations than anything else methinks.


Also, what about powdered organic wheatgrass, and some of the "green" supplements? Am i just throwing my money away on those?

As far as I'm concerned you are. You'd be better off just getting a variety of sprouts and adding them to your salads.

Revvell

[Eva]

I haven't felt much like making the recipes lately. They're great to have up your sleeve for when you feel like more "fancy" food, but they certainly don't give you more nutrients.

[times are a changin]

Thanks for all the suggestions and ideas and encouragement... appreciate it!!

[avolove]

I flip flop between making the more complicated recipes and just simple eating. I think it's more than fine to go simple! As was said, the closer to how nature made it, the better the nutrients. I think I make the occasional recipe to help when I miss a certain sad food. I would imagine that need will become less frequent as I go along. I also think that your natural cravings, after being raw for a while, will let you know exactly what your body needs. Alissa talks about this in her book and if you look at her sample week of eating you'll see she eats fairly simply. :)