Ugh! 24 hours of spinach :( what should I eat.

[Garrat9]

So I'm a 24 year old guy and I don't want to spend more than 5 minutes makin my food. I like simple stuff and before this I was basicallly living on spaghetti.

So I've been eating spinach with balsamic vinigar but it is starting to seem kinda nasty.

I have no food in my house and I live in wintery Saskatchewan.

I think I'm gonna buy a blender to make smooties, but what should I eat? I guess I can eat apples all day? I see all these recepies but they are too complicated for my liking.

What should I buy at the grocery store?

[MelanieM]

I would suggest a variety of fruits and vegetables, including greens, that you think you'll enjoy. Bananas, oranges, apples should be easy to come by. You can get the pre-washed salad mixes for really simple salad or smoothie bases. The freezer section should have a variety of frozen berries, which will be cheaper than fresh this time of year and are great in smoothies. Add some raw nuts and seeds to your grocery list as well, though you might have a difficult time finding those at the local grocery store in SK.

I love banana and baby spinach smoothies. You can add just about any other fruit you have on hand to that. I often throw frozen blueberries in there with mine. A couple handfuls of spinach, two bananas, some frozen berries and water - super yum! There's also a fabulous green smoothie thread around here with all kinds of suggestions.

This is a really great way to eat for someone that likes simple! Have fun!!

[Garrat9]

Thanks a bunch!

I bought bananas yesterday but they look like they're gonna take forever to ripen.

So I gotta buy some more apples and oranges.... are cucumbers nutritional?
Frozen berries are a great idea! I didn't see any "real" berries in the store.

Am I going to be lacking any nutritional stuff that I need? Should I be taking any pills or anything?

Also, I think the raw nut scene is not really happenning up here right now :( But I should be able to find some sunflower seeds you'd think...

I love salt! Is there any way I can keep my nasty love affair going?

[MelanieM]

I bought bananas yesterday but they look like they're gonna take forever to ripen.

I know what you mean about the non-ripe bananas! I try to stagger my banana purchases so that I have a bunch ripening while another bunch is good to eat. Or sometimes I try to purchase a ripe bunch and a green bunch, if that's an option. I think putting them in a paper bag is supposed to help them ripen faster.


So I gotta buy some more apples and oranges.... are cucumbers nutritional?

Cucumbers are great! I eat a lot of cukes, orange/red/yellow peppers, tomatoes... all fruits that are classified as veggies. Great for snacking, or on salads.


Am I going to be lacking any nutritional stuff that I need? Should I be taking any pills or anything?


I'm really new to this way of eating myself and while I am reading everything I get my hands on, I don't feel qualified to comment on what would make a nutritionally balanced diet for you. Mostly I follow my intuition when eating, and eat what I feel I need at the time. For example, I can tell when my body really needs more greens, or when I need something heavier/fattier like avocado or nuts. Then I eat what feels most appetizing to me at the time! I personally feel that's the best I could do, but I know others like more of a rulebook to go by. You'll have to decide where you fall. :)

You might want to order a copy of Alissa's book for a really great handle on all of this. Also, I'm sure others here would have a lot to add on dietary balance, supplements, etc.


Also, I think the raw nut scene is not really happenning up here right now But I should be able to find some sunflower seeds you'd think...

Here's a place in BC that sells a variety of nuts, among other things: http://www.realrawfood.com/ If you don't have a problem with ordering online, I'm sure they could get you some goodies pretty quickly!


I love salt! Is there any way I can keep my nasty love affair going?

A think a lot of people continue to use sea salt in their diets. I would lose any iodinized salt, if that's what you're eating. It will leech the nutrients from your body! Also, celery is a great source of sodium, so if you add some of that to your diet you might find your salt cravings going down quite a bit.

[Bananna]

I agree, making larger batches really makes a difference. I would just browse for recipes, print off or mark what you would like to try, stuff that's popular is always a good start, and when you have some down time, try some of them. (I Love about a third of what I try, screw up about a third and learn something, and don't like the other third -so do it in the spirit of fun). I never used to be a recipe person, but all you need to do is find a few you like that you don't mind taking the time to make and then you're golden.

Bananas: Buy extra and all degrees of ripeness, hopefully you won't use them all before they start to go bad. Throw those ones in the freezer. Yes, you can freeze bananas, right in the peel even. To thaw, just soak them in a pot of hot water, crack open the end and squeeze the banana right into a blender. They are really only good for blending after frozen. Not only does this save rotting bananas, but now you always have some on hand in a pinch.

Frozen berries are great as well. I prefer mangos and strawberries, but we are all different. As well, there is no waste with frozen fruit, no rotting, so no money lost. Which justifies its cost.

Smoothies in general are great for the impatient, out-the-door person. They are versatile, hydrating and portable. You can actually live on them alone quite easily, if you add greens.

I also recommend this salad recipe http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=36956&highlight=waldorf

...and the supplements thing. You should take a b12, I believe everyone should be though, vegan, veg or carnivore. It's a common problem that saps you of energy.

[Bananna]

iamacranberry - how do you make granola?

[MelanieM]

I just found these fabulous posts of Alissa's about what you should/shouldn't eat, counting calories, etc. Definitely must-reads! I think you'll find some helpful advice in here.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29033
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=29032

(Thanks to RawKnitster for linking to one, which led me to another!)

[Garrat9]

So I bought some frozen wildberries and cranberries and mango today. I'm gonna swipe my Mom's blender when I go home to the farm this weekend and make a lot of smoothies!

Today I ate iceberg lettuce and spinach with balsamic vinigar and apples and oranges. It was pretty good.

I will be sure to read that salad recipe and those Alissa links.

I'm only going into day three and the cravings for greasy chips and spaghetti and pizza are getting pretty strong. I want nuts to eat but I don;t know where to find any raw ones. I think I'll have to order online, which is not problem.

Where do you suggest I order from?

[Revvell]

If you've not gotten Alissa's book and videos, please do. Most of her recipes can be made in a food processor and take very little time to make. (some, not so little) In the dvd's she shows you not only how easy it is to create her recipes but, fast.

You say you "don't want to" spend more than 5 minutes making food. Why is that? Is that a guy thing or food/health isn't a priority for you? Being raw is as simple as it gets.

Whatever fresh produce is in your markets (I'm assuming even up in wintey Saskatchewan, there are chain-style supermarkets), just cruise the produce section ~ pick up bagged greens, baby carrots, bell peppers, white and red cabbage, tomatoes, cukes, etc. and whatever else looks good to you at the moment.

Take some large leafy greens, shred stuff, wrap them in the greens and create wraps. You can make HUGE salads with just that stuff. Instead of eating chips in front of the t.v., take your time and eat the salad.

Many of the recipes you see? They're not as complicated as they might seem at first. Oh! Jennifer Cornbleet has a great book out with VERY simple recipes for 1 or 2 people.

Get a couple bags of oranges. Squeeze them ahead of time and drink throughout the day; use as a base for smoothies or just blend with frozen strawberries, bananas and greens.

Revvell (http://LetsTalkRaw.com)




So I'm a 24 year old guy and I don't want to spend more than 5 minutes makin my food. I like simple stuff and before this I was basically living on spaghetti.

So I've been eating spinach with balsamic vinegar but it is starting to seem kinda nasty.

I have no food in my house and I live in wintery Saskatchewan.

I think I'm gonna buy a blender to make smoozies, but what should I eat? I guess I can eat apples all day? I see all these recipies but they are too complicated for my liking.

What should I buy at the grocery store?

[Bananna]

http://goneraw.com/node/11855

I am trying this recipe this weekend, hoping it will scratch the tomato sauce itch.

Upayanaturals.com is where I order my stuff, I'm close to toronto though, there might be a spot in BC, that's just as good, but less shipping. They are good though and have a vast selection of raw goods.

[MelanieM]

Here's a place in BC that sells a variety of nuts, among other things: http://www.realrawfood.com/ If you don't have a problem with ordering online, I'm sure they could get you some goodies pretty quickly!


From up thread. :D

[freshlight]

Raw food has so many variations!
You could make a salad, raw noodles, juice, smoothies etc etc.

I LOVE spinach though :) It tastes so salty to me.

I prefer the saltless diet. All the cravings disappear and you start tasting the natural salt in your greens,-yum!

Enjoy your spinach and all the other things like peppers, coconuts, greens, apples, oranges, mangoes, melons..........I could go on for ever but I'll stop for now :D