Hi, new to raw

[bonbon1472003]

Hi Everyone

I started this journey trying to lower my cholesterol and lose weight. I’m 48 and live in Southwestern Ontario. I have always been a little different and at times have gone from being a vegetarian to meat eater to vegan and all over the place. I joined weight watchers a few years ago and quit after a few meetings of them pushing their packaged products. I’m sure not every Weight Watchers is like this. I then followed John McDougall way of eating. I was very strict and my cholesterol went up. That’s where I’m at now. I’m vegan and have started with Green smoothies and have added a few raw recipes. I tend to mostly eat very simply. Munching on chopped vegetables and fruit and salads. Can anyone suggest a recipe book that has simple recipes? I like quick and easy with minimal ingredients. In the near future I will be purchasing a dehydrator and vegetable spiral cutter. Can’t decide if my Kitchen Aid blender is good enough or if I should buy a new Blendtec. I have lost 35lbs but have about 40 more to go and my cholesterol is still high

[Frugal Raw]

Welcome!! I wish you the best of rawesome health!!

As for the blender, it really depends on what you want to do with it. If you're doing green smoothies and simple soups, stick with the one you have. You can easily use it so long as you don't put anything too tough into it like kale ribs or spinach stems. If you wish to do things like mayo, ice cream, sour cream, etc - things you want REALLY smooth, then look to purchase a K-Tec or Vitamix. Some folks find that they like to be more minimal about it, and others prefer gourmet. As for me, I like it juicy and I like texture.

[Carly]

Hi there, Bonbon! :) I have Ani Phyo's recipe book, and although I only recently got it and have only made a couple recipes so far (which were both really good), I looked through it and I like that all of her recipes seem pretty simple. The Boutenko kids also have a couple recipe books out, I have Eating without Heating. It's definitely very simple, although they recipes don't taste as amazing as others I've tried. I just bought Raw Foods made Simple for 1 or 2 People by Cornbleet but I haven't tried it yet. My favorite recipe book is one called Living Cuisine, but the recipes are more complicated.

[spicyfull]

I wish you everything you need to Stay RAW..........Welcome to MY World.

[bonbon1472003]

Thanks everyone for the information. I'm ordering my vitamix today. My Kitchenaid made a mess of my attempt at a green smoothie. To say the least it was not smooth at all, I dumped into the food processor and eventually gave up. I'm leaning towards the green drinks. Thanks I will check out the books and what my library does not have I will order. I have been surfing the net and have found some amazing websites. Thanks again:)