Raw Food is Messy

[babeak]

There are a lot of things said about raw food expense, complexity of recipes, etc. as well as how easy it is to wash and cleanup afterwards. However, does anyone else find that you are constantly cleaning the counter and floor by the dehydrator; cabinets and ceiling by the Vitamix and food processor, and seeds of all kinds off of the dining room floor? It seems like this raw food diet is supposed to be easier, but I find that even though it does not take much to clean...rinse and go....that it seems like I am constantly cleaning. Okay, having a toddler does not help. :)

However, I suppose when compared with opening a box and a can, just about anything is really messy.

:)

[freshlight]

really? for me it's extremely simple and you don't have the mess with the pans and the dirty ovens :D

[Veganforlife]

really? for me it's extremely simple and you don't have the mess with the pans and the dirty ovens :D

Yeah! Same here! No greasy anything. No burnt on anything. No trash to speak of (LOTS of composting though).

It's as hard/complicated as you make it...

[rawrawks]

I have no garbage to speak of either. And no messy, greasy stuck on deadcow crud.

However, not saying I will quit rawfood ever over it, nor am I complaining but YES it makes a mess.

The stuff all round the dehy at times when checking and changing things. The green juice creates a film on everything I use for it. Crumbs and spatters of stuff....so yes I agree with you on ths one.

Again I wouldnt have missed it for the world. I take a mess in my kitchen over a mess in my body ANYDAY!!!!

[ReneeH]

Here's what I do: I put my trash bag and compost bowl close by where I'm preparing my food. I also wash out my Food Processor immediately when I make something. That cuts down on the mess and I don't feel so overwhelmed. I also put things back (spices & such) right after I use it. If you're constantly wiping the counter...well...that's a good thing...:)

Making any kind of food will take SOME cleanup...unless you're coming from processed food from the freezer to the microwave...which is BAD for you anyway... Focus on the benefits you're getting from eating fresh and living food and not the cleanup...that way, it won't seem like such a burden to you...:)

[rawrawks]

yesireeeeeeee sounds good to me.....life is a tradeoff....I pick rawkin raw

[Adream]

Gotta agree with Veganforlife and Rawrawks ~ no greasy dead critter cleanup! I wash whatever I've used to prep right away, somethings just require a rinse in hot water.

Babeak, you might have answered your own question: toddlers keep you so busy. Anything might seem like extra trouble since you need to be in two places at once with those busy little people, and you might be fatigued too.

Keep at it though. It's worth it.

[GlimR]

Eating it can be messy....:D
a drippy, slurpy, yummy mess!!!

[T-Bird]

There were a lot of baked potatoes my son made in the fridge, and they were going to go off and he'd clearly forgotten about them. A few I had to throw away, so I thought, let me make some kitchen fries out of these before they go to waste.

Well - the oil started spitting and I was just like OMG - where's my apron, and the ties on the apron were funny - one side pulled out and I had to jury-rig it around me somehow so grease didn't get on my shirt before the fries started burning.

And I was just like

"wow - I haven't had to deal with this in a while!"

Dealing with hot spitting oil is not fun - a danger for you and your clothes!

{{I did not eat the fries, but the report was they were yummy}}

[MiahTay]

Some things are messier and some things are a lot less work. I think having children/husband using the kitchen is WAY messier than raw food ;). And I know that when I start pulling appliances out I'm in for a bit more clean up, but for simple raw food, what could be easier than rinsing off a knife and cutting board and/or giving some soap a whiz in my Vita-Mix. But as I'm sitting here I am reminded I have a dehydrator with Nutritional Yeast stuck all over the trays from the cheezy kale chips I made. Yep, but I don't have greasy mess all over my stove, cabinets, walls, tile backsplash, etc. Greasy mess from cooking is the WORST to clean up.

Blessings,
Heather

[margoss]

I feel I spend more time in the kitchen at times but it's bc I'm cutting fresh produce vs opening a can, mixing-cutting-chopping vs cooking so it does seem to be more but the other way is a convenience way. I wash my things right away too.
To me, the extra time is worth it. Try looking at what your putting in & seem more valuable for the little extras like working at a harder job or saving money to get something you want.
I do think about this myself. It would be quicker to make a grilled cheese but my digestive tract will pay for it.

[babeak]

I guess I have not cleaned trully greasy critter stuff in years...20yr or so. I have been a vegan for about 15. So, I guess I am comparing it to popping something in the microwave and opening a can and maybe pasta on the stove.

Everyone is right...not that big of a deal, but yet something I face every day no matter how much I clean.

CHeers

[margoss]

It is an adjustment so be upset at yourself for feeling this way. The microwave & convenient food ruined us!!

[katchmoleen]

Oh yeah, very messy, especially when the children are let loose and making smoothies etc.

[anniez]

You can certainly do it without a mess........peeling a banana isn't very messy and once the greens are cleaned and veggies prepped, green smoothies and salads don't take much effort or make much mess. On the other hand, if you're more into dehydrating and "gourmet" recipes, then I would agree that you are going to have more mess. My biggest help: my dog. She keeps the floors clean so all I have to clean are the counters. I try and find a balance with some days that have more prep and some very simple days. Keep at it and you'll find what works for you!

Annie

[hilarya_m]

It is an adjustment so be upset at yourself for feeling this way. The microwave & convenient food ruined us!!

You mean don't be upset right?

I agree it is a MESS! Once you have a system it's fine though. The chopping, mixing, transfering from bowl to bowl- all that is a mess. Juicing splatters, veggies drip once chopped so yes I agree. But cooking and uncooking are equally messy for me. Cooking did have more caked on crud though!