Advice for really cold climates

[babeak]

So this summer I have been raw, but it has been easier as the produce has been more plentiful. However, as the weather gets cold as it is already starting to do, I have 2 challenges for where I live:

1. Quality of produce declines sharply along with organic produce available
2. How to have green smoothies and other foods which are cold to very cold when it is minus temperatures outside. I love my greenies, but I am already starting to dread getting cold to the core.

It is not quite that cold yet, but I feel very cold afterwards as it kind of chills the core rather than warming you up. Today it is rainy and 50's...bone-
chillin' kind of cold.

I know that you can use pepper spices to warm, but I cannot have that kind of spice to everything I eat nor can my digestive system :-)

THanks

[MiahTay]

Ginger is warming as well and good in a Green Smoothie too.

Also, you could warm some dishes in the dehydrator, or I've heard of people warming the bowl. Or warming soups and the such just until WARM on the stove. You will need to judge for yourself what works for you.

I have an electric throw that I live with in the winter and I think I read somewhere on here that someone has a floor heater that sits next to them on the floor.

It can be done, just requires some creativity.

Blessings,
Heather

[Dimond]

I leave my food out for a bit before eating. I'm always cold, even in Florida. :rolleyes: Others will warm up their food lightly either in a blender or dehydrator.

[Shine]

I was about "half" RAW last winter for a month or so (long winters in New England) and I often warmed stuff up using a double boiler. I aslo made dinners with ginger and avocado (something about the creaminess made it feel warmer).

[rawrawks]

I am always cold in the winter and have this challenge as well. Even with a few cool nights here in CT I wanted to make something warm in the oven. probably will on occaision...do what gotta do. Ginger n hot pepper never warmed me.

[MiahTay]

Maybe make a concession and have a cup of herbal tea be your constant companion ;)

H.

[Tsurugi_Oni]

This is the reason why we used to be nomadic back in the day. Follow the Lush.

Sadly raw food is only a modern convenience. And without cross-country shipping you either have to make due or make like a nomad.

[DaisyHair]

I am brand new to raw (6 weeks in) and have been wondering what I will do this winter also.

I have read that many people use a good thermometer and warm things on the stove to just warm.

I am sure I will eat more dehydrated foods like crackers and nut breads and less fruits and smoothies. I am concerned about craving rich foods. I do great in the summer with light meals and lots of fruits and veggies but in winter I will somehow have to work thru it.

[ShelShel]

I have lived through two winters completely raw and fell away the third. Just last winter. I planned to start up again this morning. fresh and new. Only to find myself shuddering at the 40 degree morning I was greeted with and like you...wondered how I was going to do this??? Giving up for the hot coffee and warm toast. Agh!

Then I remembered the key to success in the winter is finding what works for you and you alone. Only you know the produce that is available to you, you have to get creative.

I found that raw smoothies were out during winter months. I stuck to raw granola cereal with raw nut milks. Room temperature fruits with nuts. Avocado with tomatoes. Things zucchini noodles and raw alfredo sauce that was warmed up in the dehydrator. Raw soups fresh out of the blender. And yes, lots of warming spices. Things like cinnamon on my apple slices.

It's trial and error...but you eventually find things that don't just get you by, but rather, you look forward to! ;) Keep searching and be creative! You can do it!

[coco]

somewhere in my notes there is something about what Traditional Chinese Medicine really means by warming and cooling foods. It has to do with mineral content (calcium and phosphorus dominant foods I think... not positive about that) and not whether the food is cooked or not. I think it might be in Conscious Eating by Gabriel Cousins, that's my lexicon of raw foods. Gimme a sec.....

Can't seem to find it but here is his list of heating and cooling herbs

Heating:
Allspice
Anise
Asafoetida
Basil
Bay leaf
Black pepper
Cardamon
Cayenne
Cinnamon
Clove
Curry
Fenugreek
Garlic
Ginger
Horseradish
Mustard seed
Nutmeg
Tumeric

Cooling:
Corriander/Cilantro (seeds and leaf)
Cumin
Dill
Fennel
Onion (cooling to the digestive tract in it's post-digestive effect but still recommended for fall, winter and spring)

I just googled and found this link but the images are not loading for me unfortunately. Might have to get the book to see what he's talking about. It looks interesting anyhow.
http://www.rawfoodsbible.com/index.php?page=ch3/thermal

[babeak]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. That may explain partly why I had cinnamon on my apples all last winter. Starting this summer, I kind of dropped that habit (not that it really gets hot here).

I will give it my best shot. I have had cinnamon in a smoothie before and it was pretty good, but I don't know if I felt warmer from it.