starting on a tight budget

[iceshadow]

I just got Alissa's book which is so inspiring and I am raring to go!! However, I am on a tight budget and have none of the equipment she mentions as I've been totally SUKD (i think that's right?).

So I think I'm going to have to introduce things gradually and wonder what the best equipment is to start with, and what to compromise on and what to save up for?

I desperately need to detox as i'm diabetic and wonder if I should prioritise a blender to make green smoothies - I can't seem to cope with too much fruit? But on the other hand juicers look good as you can juice greens too.

Any advice would be really helpful - thanks for any help.

[Springtime]

Blender, definitly. you can juice juices using a blender and a paint strainer bag/nut mylk bag/cheesecloth, which is what i do all the time. Heck, i don't even have a real blender, just a hand blender. So it's definitly possible to do this without "proper" equipment!

[iceshadow]

Blender, definitly. you can juice juices using a blender and a paint strainer bag/nut mylk bag/cheesecloth, which is what i do all the time. Heck, i don't even have a real blender, just a hand blender. So it's definitly possible to do this without "proper" equipment!

Thanks Springtime, that's encouraging - I was beginning to think I wouldn't be able to do it properly for a couple of months but I so want to get started.

[murphydoodle]

You can definitely do this without a lot of equipment. I have a cheap blender that works just fine. It isn't perfect, but it's good enough to keep me going. For example, my green smoothies have little flecks of greens in them. No big deal! I do have a food processor that I already owned, but I probably only use it 1-2x per month. My personal approach is to eat lots of fresh whole foods. I don't make a lot of recipes other than green smoothies and occasional desserts. Just keep in mind that a lot of people don't eat these huge recipes you see all over the net. They can be helpful to transition, but aren't necessary. Also, I think there is a perception everybody else eats that way because we mostly see recipes on raw sites, but it's really because no one posts a recipe like: peel a banana and eat. :D

As a side note, I got a dehydrator on Freecycle. I was so excited to get it and pigged out on kale chips almost daily for a few weeks. I haven't even had it out since then!

Good luck to you! You CAN do this and be successful!

[Ilse W.]

I have just about every type of equipment, but the one I use daily is my blender. I have a vita-mix now, but started with a regular blender which worked just fine. It's the best piece of equipment for your purposes, since the green smoothies are probably more important for detox and general good health than anything else you can do. I also highly recommend Victoria Boutenko's book "Green for Life"....of course the list goes on from there...:D To safe money, get familiar with edible "weeds" in your part of the world.

[iluvmangos]

I desperately need to detox as i'm diabetic and wonder if I should prioritise a blender to make green smoothies - I can't seem to cope with too much fruit?

I'm diabetic, too, and if I could only have one appliance, I would choose a blender for green smoothies. I find that green smoothies are easier on the blood sugar than smoothies with just fruit in them. I don't have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, so I blend the greens with the water first and then add my fruit. The greens get blended up better that way.

[iceshadow]

You can definitely do this without a lot of equipment. I have a cheap blender that works just fine. It isn't perfect, but it's good enough to keep me going. For example, my green smoothies have little flecks of greens in them. No big deal! I do have a food processor that I already owned, but I probably only use it 1-2x per month. My personal approach is to eat lots of fresh whole foods. I don't make a lot of recipes other than green smoothies and occasional desserts. Just keep in mind that a lot of people don't eat these huge recipes you see all over the net. They can be helpful to transition, but aren't necessary. Also, I think there is a perception everybody else eats that way because we mostly see recipes on raw sites, but it's really because no one posts a recipe like: peel a banana and eat. :D

As a side note, I got a dehydrator on Freecycle. I was so excited to get it and pigged out on kale chips almost daily for a few weeks. I haven't even had it out since then!

Good luck to you! You CAN do this and be successful!

Thanks murphydoodle - I can really relate to your approach. I think some of the recipes look fantastic - but I live mostly by myself and the likelihood is I wouldn't make them much unless I was entertaining.

[iceshadow]

I have just about every type of equipment, but the one I use daily is my blender. I have a vita-mix now, but started with a regular blender which worked just fine. It's the best piece of equipment for your purposes, since the green smoothies are probably more important for detox and general good health than anything else you can do. I also highly recommend Victoria Boutenko's book "Green for Life"....of course the list goes on from there...:D To safe money, get familiar with edible "weeds" in your part of the world.

Thanks EmmaT - I think I am going to start with a regular blender since I don't have the money for a vita-mix yet, although they look great. I've been reading a little about Victoria Boutenko and someone else recommended her book so I'll make that a priority too.

[iceshadow]

I'm diabetic, too, and if I could only have one appliance, I would choose a blender for green smoothies. I find that green smoothies are easier on the blood sugar than smoothies with just fruit in them. I don't have a high-powered blender like a Vitamix, so I blend the greens with the water first and then add my fruit. The greens get blended up better that way.

Hi iluvemangos - thank you for that tip- its really helpful to know about the green smoothies. I'd better get shopping ...

[spicyfull]

What ever you do Stick with the Program and gain your Healing. My Best to you.

[RawHemp]

Raw food does not require any equipment whatsoever, it helps to have all the fancy toys but u can easily get by without them

[RawKnitster]

Gotta go with the blender. Look around for specials at your local stores. I had a fairly inexpensive Osterizer with a food processing attachment that served me well for many years.

Look around at yard sales and thrift stores, too. I saw a Mr. Juiceman at St. Vincent de Paul's for $7, looked like it had never been used.

In the meantime, it can be a little frustrating reading through a recipe and finding out at the end that you need a dehydrator. I drooled over many a recipe before I finally bought an Excalibur. ;)

[EZ rider]

The longer I am raw the less equipment I use.

[freshlight]

I jumped in couple of years ago with no equipment at all. Raw is great because we don't really NEED anything but the raw magic. Enjoy :)

[michigan roman]

good thread on the topic

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=22555&highlight=budget

[iceshadow]

good thread on the topic

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=22555&highlight=budget

Thanks michigan roman - it is a good thread - i've just been browsing it. I am starting to wish I was living in the States though as mostly there seems a much wider availability of cheaper produce - but next Saturday I'm going to a Farmer's Market so hopefully with perserverance i'll be more fruitful (if you'll pardon the pun!). :)

[michigan roman]

Thanks michigan roman - it is a good thread - i've just been browsing it. I am starting to wish I was living in the States though as mostly there seems a much wider availability of cheaper produce - but next Saturday I'm going to a Farmer's Market so hopefully with perserverance i'll be more fruitful (if you'll pardon the pun!). :)

fruitful :D

if in that region ide get into sprouting , either in big plastic colanders or in plastic dish pans filled with soil . in soil growing things like sun seeds , in colanders thingslike mung beans . to get cheap / organic / raw vital nutrition , yes not as tasty as a varied salad BUT maybe more nutricious .
and if more nutricious like believed eventually after your taste buds are clean itll taste so and become totally satisfying

plus micro green production in say cold frames , or dish pans