Newbie Wants To Know How To Cope Come Winter !

[Dot Brookes]

Hi there

I tend to waffle online so will try and keep this brief and to the point.

Am recently converted to raw food - still a taking baby steps (I vary between 60 % - 90 % most days are around 70/80 %) Fortunately found the transition both fairly easy and very natural and right feeling. May have helped that I was a faiiiirly healthy vegetarian.

in fact I'm trying to go more vegan which is what led me to the rawfooders site in the first place (I'm a "hold the chocolate but pass me the cheese" kind of girl)

Well, to the point, as I said the transition has been fairly easy but winter is around the corner and I fear that this will be difficult for me.

Altho I know I don't have to eat warm food to be warm I am sure as a newby its going to be calling to me.

Any suggestions on what dishes / food I can use to prevent me missing cooked too much ?

I don't have a dehydrator but am willing to see if I can find one here in South Africa. It will have to wait since i've just been retrenched (not a bad thing was time to move on anyways) and can't throw cash around but as soon as I get a new position its on top of my list

Please help ! I really enjoy this lifestyle and can feel the difference.

Looking forward to seeing what you can suggest

Warm regards

Dot

[lil fairy z girl]

hi, it is winter currently where i am, although i have not been wanting as yet warm food, i have just put on more winter jumpers :) although i have only been a short while raw. i do not have a dehydrator but i read somewhere that you can use your oven on the lowest heat possible with the door open if you wish just to warm something through. i havent done this myself however. i am sure others who are more knowledgable will correct me if i am wrong.

regards
sal
~*~*~*

[Dot Brookes]

Thanks lil fairy

Yes, well being a proactive girl I'm busy surfing the net looking for Alissas book - though, it will have to wait till I'm employed again (which shouldn't take too long hopefully)

Meantime I'm just keen to hear if there are some easy things I can make that are raw but will substitute for warm in winter - I got to tell you I detest the cold ....I can live with it for around a week and then I get grumpy. Anything under 22 degrees feels cold to me LOL so I'm a real grouch during our winter which lasts around 4 months.

Thanks so much for the input. :D

Dot

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Hi & welcome...first you can purchase Alissa's book here..just click on the far left top icon...labeled books...etc. I highly recommend the book/dvd combo. :)

I wanted to touch on some things regarding "winter." There are many of us who stay Raw through very chilly winters...It is in the 20's -30's on a good day where I live. What has helped me is the use of "hot" & spicey food. I use jalepeno peppers, serrano peppers, etc. in my gazpachos, nut cheeses pates' etc. I find I feel warmer this winter. Hope this info helps. :)
Lana

[Dot Brookes]

Hi Lanasq

and thanks so much for the advice - thats just the kind of tips I am looking for :)

Yes, I do intend to get Alissa's book - no two ways about that - but unfortunately the company I work for is closing so...my treat when I get a new job (its looking optimistic at this stage :)) is to get that book for myself (or the combo)

I just wonder ...living in South Africa - will it be easy to get most of the ingredients in her recipes do you think ? not that that will deter me - if nothing else it will serve as inspiration.

How ironic - today the power was off throughout most of our province - now you would think that would be a perfect day for raw food but...NO, the cupboard was bare and without electricity I couldn't draw cash nor pay by card so... was the first day I didn't stay raw till evening ! Darn, I can feel it too - I do so love my new rawer way of eating

Well...thanks again for the advice

[Apples'nAvos]

Hi Dot

Well Hellllllloooooo there from a fellow South African (although I live in California now, I still consider myself to be South African at heart - left Joburg 4 years ago).

I'm planning a trip back home in December (I feel the same way as you do about winter and wanting warm foods, so I decided to pick my battle and be at home in my comfort zone during the cold months and travel in the summer) so i was searching for some raw staples - raw nuts, seeds, honey, etc, and I found that Woolies and Pick'nPay stock a small variety or raw nuts (think walnuts, cashews etc) and raw honey - you can check their website. Also, do a search for local farmers selling stuff, i managed to find an organic supplier of raw nuts, honey and fresh as well as dried fruit (no sulfites added) - and I'd be happy to share the link with you, but they are based in joburg. Not much help, I know.

Just wanted to let you know that YES :) - it's possible to get the staples that you need in SA - and I still think that SA has the YUMMIEST dried fruit I've ever had, and I miss it immensely so enjoy. :)

[Dot Brookes]

Hi there

How nice to bump into a fellow South African.

Well, we've been having all sorts of power failures in Cape Town this past week and that combined with the fact I normally mail from work is the reason for my slow response but thanks so much for the advice and support !

If you have the link that would be great - maybe they can give me suggestions for somewhere similar in CT.


California hey? that has always sounded like the mecca of vegetarians and hippies to me ( a good thing since I have a touch of hippie to me and am a vegetarian striving for veganism) Is it so?

i have another friend staying in or near California but I've lost touch with her sadly.

have you tried Alissas book ? and, finally, what brought you to this forum?

Yes, I know - questions questions questions LOL

Not to make you drool but got some divine dried fruit and dates (I absolutely adore dates) this morning in Observatory - had them with my breakfast yum yum.

Thanks again

Dot

[swingbolder]

Sometimes when I feel cold -- which is quite often actually -- I'll drink tea. . .but if you don't drink tea bc that's cooked you can just drink hot water and forget about the tea bag. That always warms me up.

Also, a hot bath.

The warming things that people say helps them, like ginger and peppers, I've not noticed any effect on me.

[rawcanadagirl]

I find that I eat more spicy dishes and add more cayenne/hot peppers to dishes in the winter, and I find them very warming. Currently it is FREEZING up here in Canada, and I have been craving spicy dishes. I also drink hot water with my meals, and this always warms me up! :D

[tvillemom]

Rig yourself a double boiler on the stove top. I've made yumy raw soups and (if you don't own a double boiler-some people do) all I do is put a bowl on top of boiling water in a pot. This keeps my food from actually "touching" the heated surface. You can also (if you feel the need) use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature of your food (I found one at Walmart for about $2. This kinda warms your food, without cooking it...also adding a small bit of some kind of pepper (like jalepeno) helps to warm it up. I also like tea, and miso soup is also good. I actually boil my water, then let it cool slightly before pouring it over my tsp of miso. Some people get extravagant with their miso soup...I just add a squirt of Braggs....yummy. Best of luck to you. I know this winter here has been mild, and I hope yours is (I hate the cold also) I feel like I've eaten more fats (like advocado) to compensate for the cold...and I don't feel guilty, and the weight continues to drop. Best of luck to you!
Wendi

[eachpeachpearplum]

Sometimes when I feel cold -- which is quite often actually -- I'll drink tea. . .but if you don't drink tea bc that's cooked you can just drink hot water and forget about the tea bag. That always warms me up.

Also, a hot bath.

The warming things that people say helps them, like ginger and peppers, I've not noticed any effect on me.


I agree with Swingbolder, I drink tea and find I'm taking more hot baths. I also make soups and gently heat them in a double boiler with a thermomitor.

If you dont have double boiler then just put a bowl or smaller saucepan over a pot of water on low flame stiring constantly.

then pour your soup into bowls that have been pre heated with boiling water from the kettle! :)

I write this with a hot water bottle on my lap!!

Cheers, EPPP

[tvillemom]

LOL...funny about the hot water bottle......I myself find that I layer my clothes alittle more than I used to. I usually wear some type of t-shirt under all of my long sleeve shirts, and sometimes long sleeves under sweaters. I guess I figure it's easier to take off something, than to get somewhere and get cold. Also, for the times when your out and about, you may want to consider taking a thermos that will keep hot water hot, and take tea bags with you (just in case you need alittle warming up) I sure hope this helps.
Wendi