Tiptoeing gently into Raw Food

My good friend Nadyne, recently took a Raw Food Cooking class...although technically you don't cook the food....it looks kind of neat and I asked her to write a little something about it....if you enjoy it and wish to learn more...let me know, because she has another class soon....


In a nutshell, RAW (vegan) food is all about nuts, seeds, fruits and veggies (no cooking!) in order to be able to absorb all or a majority of the enzymes, proteins, vitamins and minerals nutrients contained in those food as a healthier alternative and wellbeing in general. (And also an energy saver...).

http://www.rawbc.org/articles/enzymes_protein.html
http://www.healself.org/rawfood.html
http://www.realrawfood.com/

This cuisine does require some "soaking and sprouting" times... but when accomplishing that at night, then the rest is as easy as any other meal preparation on a daily basis.
[And the presence of a garden and the assistance of a good blender - Ex.: VITAMIX, and a good dehydrator - Ex.: EXCALIBUR + other little food slicer, cutter, etc. = bonuses].

Here are 2 "snacks" recipes for beginners (& tested by myself at my UBC class last night... yummy!!):  

1.  Green peach smoothie (2 servings)
- 2 cups of water;
- 1 banana, chopped;
- 3 peaches, chopped;
- 2 cups of baby spinach;
- 1 cup of green leafy lettuce, chopped;
- 1/4 bunch of fresh mint

* you can certainly experiment with berries instead and/or any of your favourite fruits and leafy greens!

In a high speed blender, mix all the ingredients until smooth. Voila!  Enjoy immediately... or can be refrigerated in a glass container for up to 48hrs.

2. Chai banana almond milk smoothie (4 servings)

- 1 cup of almonds, soaked for 8hrs, rinsed and drained;
- 2 cups of water;
- 1/4 cup of dates (soaked for 30min. if they are too firm);
- 1/2 tsp of nutmeg powder;
- 1/8 tsp of clove powder;
- 1/8 tsp of cardamone powder;
- 1/8 tsp of Himalayan salt;
- 1/2 tsp of vanilla powder (or 1 tsp of vanilla extract - alcohol free);
- 3 frozen bananas, peeled and chopped (frozen brings more sweetness flavour to the banana!)

* there too you can play with the spices quantities to adjust to your own taste!

Mix the almonds with the water in a blender until homogeneous and filter with a nut milk bag (easier and renewable!) or a cheese cloth.
Ex.: at natureprovides.ca (based in N.Van.)  http://www.rawbc.org/raw_businesses.html#sprouts 
Freeze or refrigerate the pulp for making cookies, breads or croutons... (for a later lessons!?).
Poor into the milk all of the other ingredients, except for the bananas, into the blender and when homogeneous again, then add the bananas until smooth.
Enjoy immediately or can be refrigerated up to 3 days.

Do not forget to try to buy organic and local when ever possible, but to also first use what you have on hand! 

Nadyne.  :-)

PS.: I might do a nice RAW potluck at the end of my class... interested!? (There should be some soups, pastas, snacks, cakes, etc.!!).