Raw

I’ve been vegan for almost five years but I still continue to look for ways to improve my health even more. During this time, I’ve removed all processed sugar and most processed foods from my life, stopped drinking my usual espresso in the morning and tea in the afternoon and, during the last month, have been eating more raw food every day.

Raw food is something I’ve been curious about for awhile now. Summer, of course, makes eating more raw much easier. During the summer months, I tend to eat less and I avoid anything heavy (read: cooked). I’ve also joined a fabulous local CSA to make this process even easier (and also for the variety of foods they send weekly) and save me some time shopping on my precious weekends. I’ve started to drink daily green smoothies; it’s a great way to make sure I’m getting extra greens in my life.

Of course, I could never do this without the help of the library and, while there are quite a few raw food books and guides out there, I want it simple and I want it vegan (because many raw foodists still eat dairy). Here are a few books that have inspired me with beautiful photos, sound advice, and delicious recipes:

Going Raw: Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Own Raw Food Diet and Lifestyle Revolution at Home by Judita Wignall. This inspiring guide is filled with both simple as well as elaborate recipes, colorful and appetizing photographs, and step-by-step instructions on getting more raw foods into your life. What I especialy liked about her book was her encouragement that you don’t have to eat 100% raw all the time to reap the health benefits of raw foods. The book comes with a very helpful and useful DVD demonstrating kitchen techniques and equipment demonstrations.

Photo courtesy of Raw Food Recipes for Beginners

Raw Food: A Complete Guide for Every Meal of the Day by Erica Palmcrantz and Irmela Lilja. Swedish authors Palmcrantz & Lilja’s book is filled with gorgeous photography, very short ingredient lists, encouraging testimonials, as well as tips and shortcuts to make the raw transition easy.

Live Raw : Raw Food Recipes for Good Health and Timeless Beauty by Mimi Kirk. This book caught my eye because the author is an older woman (she’s in her  70s!) who looks amazing and her recipes are very easy to make. There’s a lot of variety, too, and they are delicious. Kirk also discusses lifestyle, including mindfulness, exercise, and stress and how those can affect the body as much as the food you eat.

~Maria