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lavendarJ
08-23-2008, 11:46 AM
I need some help. Finally, at the end of next month, I'm going to have a RAW FOOD Potluck/Party...For the first one, the targeted audience will include a mix of family and friends who have been asking several questions (some who think I'm holding out on a magic pill). I have a big family so I think I'm going to hand-pick about a total of 20 friends and family. I kinda want to pick a mixture of those who are genuinely interested and those who are skeptics. I will allow a quetion and answer session but it will be informal.

Basically, I am going to share my journey thus far. I'll have Alissa's book on hand. I will have a portfolio of pictures, will share the benefits I've received and the ways that raw has assisted me in healing physically and emotionally. I keep getting so many people telling me they don't know how to start no matter how many times I say just eat. So I am working on creating a practical and sensible 2 week menu (that was requested). So my basic philosophy I will share with my raw vegan experience is to do as Alissa says and just eat and to learn how to listen to your body-to become intuitive vs. measuring this and that...

Finally, I think I've arrived at the question: What are topics/themes that should be included in a discussion to "first-timers"? We'll probably be hanging out for about 3-4 hours easy and I plan to video this (hopefully-with their permission). This is what I have on schedule to talk about..
- my issues before raw (with pics)
-the benefits I've received from just eating and becoming body intuitive
- sample menu & recipes prep
- not viewing this as a diet
- provide a resource guide (Alissa's book) and web

What else should I include in my discussion?

As far as my menu goes, I will probably keep it simple since that is my basic philosophy (due to my own time constraints)... These are the hard-to-sell folks (that's why I'm starting with family/friends first; they are far more critical and judgmental than strangers and they'll give me some good insight for how to do potlucks in the general community).

The menu-
Fruit and veggie tray with some sort of "dip" for each (I just eat my fruit and veggies "as is" so I'll have to search for something)

Salads will be simple:
spinach/cherry tomato/avocado/pecan
big garden type salad with lots of veggies
3 salad dressings for them to sample
-ranch; haven't done this before, gotta to work on that one since it's popular
-olive oil/ACV/Spice Vin.
-Tomato garlic or something

Entrees (no particular theme just demonstrating raw vegan's variety)
-asian noodles
-lasagna (would love to do this, but time will be a big factor as far as prep)
- create a nacho bar and a fajita bar (never made "sour cream" before will
have to practice this)

For the Sweet Tooths, I'll share my Favorites
- MaRaw's key lime pie
- some sort of cheese cake
- either a butter pecan/turtle ice cream (haven't made but seems simple)

I think I might start off with a smoothie taste-test ( visually display how simple it really is to prepare. I might bring along the juicer just do demonstrate how simple it is to juice the veggies also)

So that's all I have for now, I would love to do pizza or crackers and "cheese" but I haven't even made those often enough (just once or twice and still working on a recipe I like)

Any suggestions for changes, additions, anything..... I'm searching for ideas and would appreciate anything you have to offer

My plan is to be informal and just have fun with it and present each of the meal offerings in segments...
Smoothie Samples
salads
entrees
desserts
I'll be discussing raw throughout the entire thing...oh yeah, my sister and I will take on shifts..she has started embracing high raw in January and is doing great (think she is 50-60 lbs down).. we'll create some sort of thing so that when I am talking she'll prep and bring out stuff and vice versa). I'm also doing it this way of the layout of my brother and sis-in-law's house..speaking of which...I think I'll break that number down to a nice intimate 10

So help me out...
what am i missing?
I'll take any feedback you have to offer........

Later, as time goes by, I'll be setting up some raw food potlucks in the community and can do more, have themes or more foucsed discussion but this is a starter to learn from.....

Help me out fellow raw vegans -please and thank you:)

lavendarJ
08-23-2008, 11:59 AM
gotta add tuna and crackers to the menu...forgot how good tropigal's tuna recipe was...
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=26801&highlight=tropigal

Thick
08-23-2008, 12:21 PM
You'll probably want to address=

1. protein and calcium
2. eating out at restaurants (bringing dressings or avacadoes etc)
3. making meals sad/raw by common prepping ingredients (tacos for example)
4. affording raw by finding deals or using seeds in some recipes etc

Good luck! Can't wait to see the video=)

Raw Yogini
08-23-2008, 12:24 PM
That is so awesome!! What a great idea! Definitely get the protein and calcium chat in there. That's the number one question I get about eating this way. If it is appropriate to you and the group, what about the spiritual aspects of raw eating? Best wishes!

lavendarJ
08-23-2008, 12:28 PM
I knew I could count on you guys....

Keep the ideas comming..

Question- What is a great resource that I can provide as a suggestion for reading material on the issue of protein?...you guys are right about that protein thing...people always harp on that first....I have Alissa's book, think I'll look for some research on veggie protein to have to throw out their to the group...

Thick
08-23-2008, 12:29 PM
I knew I could count on you guys....

Keep the ideas comming..

Question- What is a great resource that I can provide as a suggestion for reading material on the issue of protein?...you guys are right about that protein thing...people always harp on that first....I have Alissa's book, think I'll look for some research on veggie protein to have to throw out their to the group...

Though I haven't read it, The China Study seems to be the definative work on vegetable protein sufficiency.

Thick
08-23-2008, 12:30 PM
I'd also make caesar dressing for them with the salads.

Raw Yogini
08-23-2008, 12:41 PM
It seems like Green for Life by Victoria Boutenko talks about protein in greens. My cousin is borrowing the book from me so I can't double check it.

Emma-Liza
08-23-2008, 02:50 PM
I'm not sure if you said you were doing this, but running off some recipes and a list of web sites to take home would be good.

Also, they are coming from the point of view of "balanced" meals, so you might want to address balancing the day/week or however you decide variety.

How to transition?
How to shop?
Importance of organic?

Sounds like a fun evening!

lavendarJ
08-23-2008, 07:50 PM
Thanks Thick--I haven't really read the whole thing myself, guess I should, I forgot about ceasar, most people like a good ceasar dressing


Raw Yogini- thanks for that tip; another book that I've heard so much about...guess I need to start building a raw vegan collection

Emma-Liza - thank you; forgot about that; this is a hard-to-sell group, who knows, just maybe a little seed will be planted

brownies
08-23-2008, 07:56 PM
b12! This is super important for people to know about.

lavendarJ
08-25-2008, 10:02 PM
b12! This is super important for people to know about.

Yeah, that's true...guess I could type up a very simple and basic chart that shows the vitamins/nutrients in one column and the veggies & fruits that provide natural sources of each.....