Talk to me about raw foods!

[minkajane]

I've been interested in raw food eating for a while, but I haven't done much about it. We're getting our tax return next week and I'm picking up a food processor and a dehydrator and I definitely want to do more raw food eating. I think it would make a big difference in the health of my whole family.

So here's my issue. DH is a hugely picky eater. He barely eats what I cook as it is, since most of it is healthy and all of it's vegetarian. I just really think eating more naturally would help with his allergies and his other health issues. So what raw food recipes do you suggest for picky eaters and kids?

[fresh_veggie]

Raw fudge? Made with blended dates, raw cocoa/carob/whatever, and walnuts. Yum, one of the first things I made!

"Designer salads"...with almonds, berries, a honey dressing (if you're beegan) or something like that.

Goneraw.com has good stuff, as well as thegardendiet.com. There is a dehydrated onion bread on Gone Raw that is to die for!

Kale chips and fresh salsa?

Lol good luck!

[veganjoy]

Green smoothies are great for kids, and a nice breakfast habit for adults, too. It's also nice for kids to have fun raw desserts, and some kids will eat pate, wrapped in green leafies or spread on a flax cracker. Here's my recipe for raw nachos--which my 2-year-old really loves--and one for apple pie:
http://veganjoy.blogspot.com/2010/01/raw-nachos.html
http://veganjoy.blogspot.com/2010/03...pple-tart.html

Switching to nut and seed milks is super healthy, and it's fun for kids to make their own milks: just blend 1 cup raw nuts and seeds (I use cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, hempseeds, and chia seeds) with 4 cups water, a few dates to sweeten, and a dash of vanilla. Press through a nutmilk bag or strainer, and it's ready to drink.

But really, I think the best way to get children into raw is with lots of fresh, juicy fruits. They'll naturally gravitate toward mangoes, bananas, berries, peaches, dates, and other sweet fruits, and those are great sources of vitamins and minerals. I know it's tempting to do lots of dehydrated and labor-intensive recipes, but it's also nice to eat plenty of fresh stuff, and having fruit and greens makes you feel fantastic!

[marimara]

I would start with simple dishes and foods, don't go overboard on fancy recipes too soon. They are an art and skill that has to be learned with time. I would start with things they may already eat:

Guacamole
Salsa
Fruits, fruit salad
Salads
Smoothies
Gazpacho
Nuts, nut butter, w/fruit (apple slices and almond butter)
Coleslaw, cabbage salad
Raw veggies in dip, hummus (not totally raw, but who cares? it's good for you ), bean dips (again, not raw but...)