Raw is what you make it!

[Rawkinlocs]

This is more of a musing-type thing than anything else, but I was sitting here thinking about some of the forums and sites I've been to that kinda talk against raw recipes, raw gourmet, they talk about how complicated it is, etc.

Then something dawned on me, these things are here for those who want/need them...not saying that everyone who is raw HAS to have them or utilize them.

Then I began to compare the cooked food world and the raw food world and realized this:

http://herspecialhair.com/images/rawvscooked.jpg
Wanted to add to that list that it can be expensive or it can be inexpensive...depending on what you eat or if you can grow your own or if you choose to buy organic or inorganic...it all really depends on each individual.

[WinterSun]

Although it probably costs a raw fooder ALOT more money, to buy pre-made, packaged crackers, cookies etc.., when you buy frozen cooked dinners, packaged cooked foods it's usually cheap. Then again consider the cost to your health, body and well-being.

I do spend alot of time in the kitchen though, but I did when I ate cooked food too because I never ate processed food. I work full time on top of that, I'm glad my son is an adult, I don't think I'd manage if I had small children, worked full time, and spent all this time in the kitchen. I will admit, my housecleaning suffers :o It's a choice spot-less home/healthy food, for me anyway ;)

[Rawma]

Rawkinlocs, I totally agree. I do love to "uncook" as much as I liked to cook. I like to try different recipes no matter what diet I am following. I spend a great dal of time in the kitchen but I enjoy that! The fun thing about raw is that I am eating totally different things than I ever ate before, like Pad Thai (YUM!). I was always so convinced about low fat that I never would have tried half of the recipes that I now enjoy!
Lisa

[twinyoga]

Rawkinlocs, I totally agree with you. I think when I came to the realization that raw isn't all that different than how I use to it (in terms of preparation and such) then I found raw to be easy and fun.

[Sweet lips]

Good Stuff Girl Friend!

[Autumn]

Great chart! I think your post should be in the forum, "Need to know more about raw?" I think it would be very helpful to newbies, who may shy away from raw thinking it's too complicated.

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Autumn, super idea about getting it posted in the "need to know more.." forum! I'll have to ask Alissa to do that (don't have access to that one!)

[Sharon in Colorado]

That is very true - thanks for doing that, and what a great chart.

I had an elderly lady call me about a couple of weeks ago. She said that it's just a lot easier to eat raw because she hates to cook. That was a first for me - to speak with someone who eats raw just because it's easier as opposed to healthier.

So when I told her about an upcoming recipe demo for a lemon nut torte, she kind of winced and said she wasn't into that at all, I thought that was a little strange. It was the first time I actually spoke with a real person (instead of meeting online) who wasn't into the fuss and muss of a raw 'recipe' - most of the folks in my raw circle locally want to do all the recipes and such. Very interesting to say the least.

[Ariannah]

I do enjoy raw recipes sometimes - but I gotta admit, while health was the number one thing, a very strong motivator was the ease and "instantness" of it. I have so much to do in life, and be constantly planning food just gets in my way.

Mainstream media tries to freak us out about how "complicated" the raw diet is, painting a picture of some harried, flustered person sitting by their food processor or dehydrator all the time, looking at their watch until the 12 hours are up and their crackers are done. While those things are nice to do and have, they don't paint a realistic picture of many raw foodist I have encountered on the net. Someone who already hates cooking would have been totally scared off of raw to believe articles like that!

For me, the fact that it's just as easy as munching on grapes or melons or peeling an orange is wonderful! I don't own a dehydrator (although I am considering it eventually), and I enjoy just making stuff like pesto in the food processor. The most fuss I've gone to so far has been for my family, as they totally LOVE the raw nori wraps I make, and they take a long time to make for a family of 6!

So yes, the ease of it is definitely a persuader for me! I'm not exactly a mono eater, but I do like the simplicity and plainness of it, and retraining my tastebuds has been wonderful.

[Jo-anne]

An excellent post Rawkinlocs and how true it is.

Come to think about it, when I used to get home from work, I wanted something quick to eat and would grab a biscuit or packet of chips but now that I have started my raw challenge, I can come home and grab something quick to eat but this time I could go for a mango, apple, banana and its providing nutrients for the body.

[Rawmommie]

Great post Cherie! :)

[Sharon in Colorado]

Another thing I've discovered is that sometimes you have to do quite a bit of trial and error before you find what works.

If you have tastebuds like mine, you may have to go through a ton of recipes before you actually end up with a small handful that you like - not everyone digs every raw recipe - I tried many of them and they didn't strike me quite the way they strike others - it's just a whole different taste and texture and many of them claim to be just like their cooked counterparts, but then after spending quite a bit of money and time preparing them, the turn out can be a dissapoinment.

Over the years some of the best things I've learned is:

1) Do just 1/2 or 1/4 of a recipe at a time, particularly if the recipe has expensive ingredients like nuts, dates, cacao, etc.

2) Only do the lengthy recipes once in a blue moon, that way if it doesn't turn out very good, you don't feel as though you've wasted so much time on it.

3) Bloopers make great pet treats. The dehydrated bloopers are the best as dog treats since they can be stored in zip bags for a long time and travel well. Although my dog has turned away with tail tucked between legs at something, thank goodness it wasn't something I made!

4) Never expect it to taste just like the cooked version. The lasagne won't taste like a rich cheesy conventional lasagne. The nut pates will never taste like meat. The pies won't taste like flour and butter crusted pies.

Doesn't mean they are better or worse than the cooked versions, they just taste very different. I think the reason why they get a cooked name is for those who are having a difficult time getting off prepared cooked food. One of my favorite recipes from Alissa's book are the strawberry crepes. However they don't tast a thing like regular crepes.

[ebonysea7]

Sharon, cooking 1/2 or 1/4 of the recipe is great advice. I've had to throw out many a recipe that I didn't like.

I enjoyed cooking but I always liked simple recipes. It's the same with raw. Give a simple, great tasting recipe and I'm happy. I usually steer clear of anything with a lot of ingredients.

I recently read an article that said you usually eat the same way raw as you did cooked. So, if you overate cooked, you'll probably overeat raw, if you liked fatty foods while cooked, you'll favor them when raw, etc. Interesting.

/gfj

[Fuzzball]

Great Stuff Cherie! ! !

Congratulations on escaping Detroit !

[Autumn]

<<I recently read an article that said you usually eat the same way raw as you did cooked. So, if you overate cooked, you'll probably overeat raw, if you liked fatty foods while cooked, you'll favor them when raw, etc. Interesting.>>

I agree with that to a point. However, I used to love to cook when I was cooked. I don't like "uncooking" as much. I'd rather just grab something quick-like a piece of fruit or veggie sticks. I only "uncook" once or twice a week. Other recipes are simple 2 or 3 ingredients.

[Pailani]

I've never liked cooking, spending time in the kitchen, trying new recipes. I used to eat granola with rice milk a lot because it was so easy. Now I've discovered green smoothies, there's not much to cut up, not much to clean up, it really suits my lifestyle. And I feel a lot better!

[VeryBerry]

I also eat raw because it's easy. I just eat simple fruit, veggies and nuts. I also eat some premade (healthy) cooked food. The thought of speding more then 10 minutes to prepare a meal bores me to tears. I have a few raw cook book, but I can not bring myself to make any of the recepes. I wish I was more into cookinng/uncooking, I really do.