Ready to be raw!!

[Smashdeezel]

Hi Everyone,

I just started my raw diet three days ago. So far I'm only about 80% raw, but I just got Alissa's book yesterday, and I haven't bought the proper appliances yet. I'm hoping to go 100% by Sunday. I'm so excited about this website, I think its a perfect motivator.

I do have a question: what appliances do I absolutely need to buy and where can I get them the cheapest? I already spent about 250 bucks on food, Alissa's book, a spiral slicer, and two more raw cookbooks. I know I have to buckle down and buy a dehydrator and a good blender/food processor. Any suggestions?

Best wishes to everyone!

:) ~Ash

[DotfromOz]

Actually, I've been entirely raw for the past week and only just got a dehydrator which I've used exactly once so far to make zucchini chips. I've been 80% raw for a little over a month with only a cutting board, good set of knives and a 20-speed Osterizer blender. I just thought to use my food processor a week or so ago, which does make shredding and some slicing easier, but as much as I enjoy playing with my food , I usually prefer to get out the knives and go after it. Got a spiral slicer a couple of weeks ago. Only just took it out of the box.

You don't really need any of the appliances except a blender and possibly a juicer, IMO, which makes a quick breakfast or smoothie snack much simpler and easier. It just depends upon how involved you want to get in making recipes as opposed to doing what I've done, just grazing through the fridge for what seems good to eat, chopping or shredding it, and mixing with some herbs or spices for variety.

Alissa's book indicates what appliances are really useful and which you can do without very easily. Just depends upon your personal preference, I'd say.

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

Trust me, if it's a kitchen appliance I've either had it, or have it now.

the one I use every day is the food processor, you can buy one at Walmart or Kmart for about $40.

I think the second MOST important thing would be a dehydrator, you can make crackers, nut loaves, and warm things up which really helps alot. You can buy one at Walmart for about $40.

Then I think the next most important thing is a good blender, to make nut milks, smoothies, etc.

Then, a good juicer.

Some blenders food processors, etc, you can buy at thrift stores, just to get you started.

I, of course, had to buy the Cuisinart, the Excaliber, the Bamix the Vita Mix, etc.

and YES, they work really well, I do alot of raw feasts from home, so many people ask for my recipes, and the appliance does help with the preparation and the smoothness of my dishes.

But I don't think you HAVE to have all the expensive stuff.

don't let this stop you, buy an inexpensive one, or a second hand one of whatever you want, and go from there.

Good luck with your new lifestyle. You will find lots of love and support here.

[AutumnBreezColordLeavz]

Genie of blenders, the Vita Mix....you can save up for this and you will not be sorry. It really has alot to offer the raw foodist. I had one a year before I went raw, used the good ol' tax return money to purchase it. Wonderful product with a lengthy guarantee to back it.

The genie of dehydrators is the Excalibur because you have the ability to control the temp to not go above 105 to not cook those precious enzymes. Single person the 5 drawer would probably be ok, but the 9 is great for families.
Bought them the same year and I was med/high raw, only played with the idea of 100%. I got the thing mainly so I could make jerky for my husband and dried fruits for me and the kids. The removable trays make it nice for adding things that have height to them like a loaf. Take a tray or two to give space for loaf or whatever.

[sweetgoddess]

Ash, welcome to the group. I agree with rawpriestess, food processor is the number one used appliance for me. I have the 40 dollar black and decker from Walmart and its been going strong for me for a couple of months now.

Best wishes to you-you can do this~ :)

[RawTruth]

Congratulations on your decision to go 100% and welcome to a most warm and supportive forum.

The sections in Alissa's book on how to set up your kitchen and her 30-day challenge should give you all the information you need to get started. I agree with her that all you really need is a blender and a food processor. If you follow her 4 weeks of menu, you won't need a dehydrator until the 4th week.

Since you're in LA, you might want to join us for dinner at Au Lac in Fountain Valley. There are 12 who are going as of right now, including Alissa. It would be a great way to get to know some of us in person. Here's the thread:
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2955

How exciting that you've taken control of your health -- a whole new life awaits you. Welcome again.

[levamssg]

I use my food processor every day, and vitamix almost every day as well for smoothis, soup, salad dressings, etc. I use my juicer almost daily as well. My dehydrator hums along most of the time, so it is really hard to say which appliance is essential. Think about what kind of foods you like, then check out recipes you'd most like to make to see what they require.

Check out discount juicers on line ... type in food processor or vitamix or dehydrator in a google search, and you will have lots of sites to check out w/regard to price, warranties, shipping, etc.

Congrats on going raw, Ash. Tis the best thing you can possibly do for yourself!

[DennisMB]

Hello Smashdeezel
I love my Vita Mix, and dont let any one tell you a good blender is the same thing. It is not! I had what I thought was a fairly good blender and it could not come any where near the Vita Mix in proformance! The Vita Mix rocks and I noticed on eBay you can save some $$$ going there to buy one!

[Raw Jewelrylady]

I got my food processor at Walmart for $28 & it works GREAT !!! I was very skeptical but it's a Black & Decker. I'm not sure if it was on sale or one of those already Low price things. Hope that helps & Good luck.

I just watched the DVD for the second time & I finally feel like "I Got IT !" If you didn't get the DVD, it is really the thing that Connected for me !!! I have read many books & visited sites, etc, but the video ...last night...2nd time around w/notes really helped.
Welcome to a GREAT site, ;)
Lana Q.

[DotfromOz]

Hello Smashdeezel
I love my Vita Mix, and dont let any one tell you a good blender is the same thing. It is not! I had what I thought was a fairly good blender and it could not come any where near the Vita Mix in proformance! The Vita Mix rocks and I noticed on eBay you can save some $$$ going there to buy one!

Hokay, Dennis, does that mean I get to blame you when I decide that my trusty Osterizer ain't good enough and I need one of them thar gold-plated VitaMixer thangs? (which is probably gonna be fairly soon at the rate I'm going adding gadgets lately)

[DennisMB]

For Sure, I have board shoulders, I can take it! :-)

[Smashdeezel]

I will definitely plan on going Saturday! That sounds like a lot of fun!

[Revvell]

The top two things I would have would be a 1) Vitamix for green smoothies and 2) a really good and large processor. Next, the Excalibur Dehydrator (they have a good sale going on them now) and then the juicer.

A really good sharp knife is essential. I'd been plugging along with what I "thought" were good knives until we got a ceramic one. Sheesh!!!

Welcome to the club! See you Sat (16th). Oh! There's a raw meet-up that same day at 1 p.m. in Glendale if you can make that also.


Injoy ~

Revvell

[DennisMB]

Hi Revvell
Whats the deal with the ceramic knives? They better than Heckel knives? Cost? Worth investing in?

[Revvell]

Bo got us a whole set of Henkles. We went to a Natural Products convention a couple of weeks ago and stopped to check out a citrus juicer and they had the ceramic knives there. We used one to cut the oranges and were sold. Purchased one immediately (and the juicer too. lol)

They are costly. I think ours was $45. It's made by Kyocera. The one thing I'm not too sure about is ~ what happens if it's dropped. Ours is about 5" long.

Injoy ~

Revvell

Hi Revvell
Whats the deal with the ceramic knives? They better than Heckel knives? Cost? Worth investing in?