does anyone here not do raw desserts, and why?

[cara4art]

I've been thinking about this, especially for those of us who are mature, and/or needing to drop weight. I would love to try a raw dessert other than the raw ice-cream(based on frozen bananas the way I've been doing it)but just afraid of all the rich calories, even though they're raw ones. I did do a very small amount of RP's brownies a long time ago, and a very small plate of lemon-coconut bars but that's about it. Anyone else not do them either for this reason, in order to restrict food? I think those of us who are mature, even of normal weight, have to restrict somewhat at least. Just don't want to gain any weight at my age(just turned 62)!

[jurence]

I don't because they take way too damn long to make and are hella expensive at the raw cafe here.

I eat so much fruit i don't think dessert would make a difference sweetness wise.

[T-Bird]

I'm not afraid of the calories - but I just don't get around to them because of the ingredients and all the work!!!!!

I saw this video to make one beautiful banana coconut creme pie - looked incredible delicious.....and I thought while hard work, i could manage it......

but when they got to "juicing" some mature coconut.....lord - it'd take an hour just to get the coconut meat out of one coconut - then you've got a blender, FP, and a juicer to clean up?

No - I couldn't go there!

Meanwhile - i've been meaning to order dates from the date people for about 1-2 months! Why does it not happen??? I just don't know!

S0 - no dates - no dessert! I won't use maple or agave like some do, without dates, I won't even bother.....

[Veronica01]

I might make some for a raw potluck, but i don't eat the desserts. Once in a while i'll bring my vitamix to work and make icecream for the girls with homemade almond milk. But actually i used to want to try every raw dessert and now i just don't feel like it. Like i'd rather have a tasty fruit or green salad instead. I also didn't like feeling so full after when you mix things like nuts, dates and cacao together.

[contessa20]

I'm not so much afraid of the calories however, like the other posters, I just don't feel like making them. Nuts are expensive and often don't sit well in my stomach in large amounts. Not to mention, of course, how looooooooong it would take to make some of those gourmet looking desserts. I'm just not into all that torture. :D Occasionally I'll make cookies or something sweet with leftover nut pulp but I just don't crave those kinds of sweets anymore so usually just drooling over the yummy pictures online is good enough for me. Our health food store sells raw cheezecake so I've been known to buy that once in a blue moon.

[Seedy]

I rarely make desserts, although I will buy a Lara bar from time to time. Some reasons:
I'm 53 and my metabolism isn't what it used to be. I'm struggling to lose about 25 extra pounds as it is.
I'm lazy and I hate dragging out the food processor and dehydrator. And the clean-up is a drag.
I get home late from work and the gym - I'm lucky to start dinner by 8. If I had dessert, I would be eating something heavy at 10. Nuts and dates are too hard on the digestion at that hour.
I like fruit. I would rather put some frozen fruit in a blender and make sorbet. Or slice up a watermelon.
Seedy

[Aleesha Sattva]

i'm lazy... i did make lots of them when i first went raw. they are the reason i released 150 pounds... they are the reason i stayed raw.

so YIPPEE and HOORAY for raw desserts!!

[qfmother]

I agree with Aleesha - I've been raw almost 6 months now and I really enjoy raw desserts now and then to keep me feeling satisfied. I've lost 62 pounds, so I don't think I eat too many of them, although I do try to follow my hunger signals and not overdo it. I still want to lose 38 more pounds, so we'll see if I think I need to cut the sweets out at some point along the way.

[iluvmangos]

I don't because time and cost prohibits me. I want my nuts to be truly raw and those are expensive and a lot of the raw desserts call for them.

[Bananna]

I like them as a treat, but not a daily...plus I haven't found any I really loved anyway.

...the old banana, agave, cinnamon in a bowl is what I do. It's not too bad on calories either...but you have to be ok with agave I guess.

[Aleesha Sattva]

oh i have found some i love... mmmmmm makes me want some now!!!

[PeachyLove]

I've made a few, but was not crazy about the taste.


Now, what I do love is my raw strudel, I created this when I was having some serious cravings for strudel. The cinnamon is the star in this recipe.

1 or 2 oranges
1 or 2 bananas
raw unsweetened coconut flakes
raw clover honey (not vegan)
really fresh cinnamon
a sprinkle of unsoaked walnuts

[Irish_Vegan_Girl]

I have had raw chocolate once, I bought it from a Nourish store in town. It contained cocoa and agave syrup and 2(I think) other ingredients. It was really nice and I didn't feel bad or anything after it but I ate finished it over a few days anyway. I actually made raw chocolate a couple of times using coconut oil and agave syrup and raw chocolate powder but it was really strong and made me feel icky and fatty with digestion.

I have also made raw cheesecake. The thing that I react to in raw desserts is that they don't digest well for me. I like them, but they don't get on too well with me. Especially when there are nuts involved and that is nearly always, from the recipes I have read, unless your dehydrating stuff. Anyway, I'm not too pushed to make raw desserts because I get more pleasure minus the pain, from having a sweet juicy mango or a big sweet ripe banana.

Maybe if I were to go to a raw restaurant, I would indulge in ordering a raw dessert, just because I would want to sample it. But usually I don't feel like them.

But, I do like the raw chocolate that I bought from Nourish.

Also, yes, the desserts are very high in fat and calories but if you're not enjoying them all the time and have a fresh raw diet otherwise then I say go ahead and make em. :)

[T-Bird]

I agree with Aleesha - I've been raw almost 6 months now and I really enjoy raw desserts now and then to keep me feeling satisfied. I've lost 62 pounds, so I don't think I eat too many of them, although I do try to follow my hunger signals and not overdo it. I still want to lose 38 more pounds, so we'll see if I think I need to cut the sweets out at some point along the way.

If you're losing the weight and happy with your regime, why change?

Although I can live without the gourmet food in general and raw desserts in particular - especially in hot weather! - I need to get more into these for my little darlings.......

no - not toddlers - teens! But I really want to increase their raw food % - even if they don't want to. I will pretend I'm making things for myself and just casually say -

"oh - this turned out good, taste it and tell me what you think"

[Ravani]

I seem to be in the minority -- all the more reason to state my view. I eat desserts all the time. I wouldn't have stayed raw these past six months without them. And I continue to lose weight. (Now into a size 2 -- although we are talking vanity sizes.) I NEVER make desserts laden with nuts and dried fruit. The thought of it makes me cringe -- what a terrible combo. But I love puddings with young coconut, ice creams, macaroons, Alissa's crepes.... I'm happy to try the tougher, more exotic recipes, too. My husband and son are not raw, but they love the desserts.

And I'm in trouble if I don't keep around a stash of corn chips or other chip-like item, taco thing, pizza -- any sort of junky comfort food. Prior to starting raw, I typically ate vegan biodynamic peppered with yodels and diet Dr. Pepper. (That may be the first time I admitted that publicly.) At 50, my body is still responding well and grateful for my current food choices -- laden with heavy desserts notwithstanding.

More power to all of you who don't indulge, but if a craving hits, I'd say dose up on some raw chocolate over something sinfully raw! :D

[RaeVynn]

I make a raw blueberry pie once in awhile... it's really good.
Like Ravani, I must have 'goodies'... if it isn't the occasional raw dessert, it is raw chips and crackers! :p
I also buy the jars of Artisana raw goodies... the Cacoa Bliss and the Goji Bliss, and will dip in with a teaspoon and just MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM... not every day, but it's enough to keep me happy!

[supersonic_528]

My first serious raw food preparation was a blueberry pie a couple of weeks ago. It was pretty good. I also like the fact that it can give me more calories (which is what I want, unlike many people here). I'm planning to make another one in the next few days. Might also try making some other dessert.

[iluvmangos]

Well, I DO make raw ice creams in my food processor. I was talking about cakes and pies when I said I didn't make desserts before. I also make some fudge balls with sunflower seeds, dates, and carob powder. That's pretty much the extent of my desserts.

[Ilse W.]

To me a dessert is something that's eaten after a meal. Growing up we never had that. My mother baked a cake for sunday afternoon coffee. We did have "sweet meals" at times, for example some sweet dumplings, waffles, or pancakes with home canned fruit compotes or apple sauce, etc. So I never eat "dessert", but sweet meals are a daily treat. It starts with my green smoothie in the morning that contains lots of fruits and is sweet. Sometimes I make an apple pie, easy and quick, and that becomes my "meals" for the entire day. I often treat myself in the evening with a bowl of sliced bananas, blueberries, a drizzle of honey or agave nectar, and a teaspoon of cocoa powder (I use the best "regular" cocoa powder I can find. The little bit I use won't kill me, and raw cocoa is just too expensive.) As long as I "treat" myself daily with all the wonderful fruit that's available year round, I don't need "desserts". In fact, so much of my food is sweet, that my occasional cravings are for savory soups.