Are you wanting to incorporate more veggies, fruit and healthier choices for you and your family's nutrition.  This is for you and everyone who has asked me to write and share these recipes to make it easy.  Thanks for the inspiration! 

 

Benefits of eating a raw vegan diet are many.  Personally I have lost weight; better digestion, sleep, teeth, hair, nails and skin; wake up refreshed; better hormone balance; more clarity; more tolerance; no more joint pain; more energy; more vitality.  

 

Most people who make changes in their diet by eliminating meat, dairy, wheat, corn or soy feel better immediately because they are removing allergens or toxins that are hard for their bodies to process.  Many people didn't even know they were allergic or could not process certain foods as well until they removed them from their diet.  There is so much information on the benefits of eliminating these select foods from your diet but for time and space I'll write a separate blog about that later.

 

Choosing more veggies and or going raw doesn't have to be difficult! Usually people try to make it harder than it really is because raw foodist try to mimic and make food that reminds them of their “SAD” or standard american diet:  such as mexican food, italian pasta, sushi and pizza to name a few.  We do this for comfort and to please others especially kids.

Here is an adaptation on the old KISS acronym mainly because I don’t think people are stupid.  KIS’M with Raw Food:  Keeping it Simple Meals.

This blog is about sharing some of my favorite simple and fast meals that taste great and are good for us!

My first disclaimer is it's easier and quicker to have a few staples on hand like raw hummus and/or other nut cheezes for to spread on veggies and crackers.  My second disclaimer is that raw crackers are always great and quick add on to any meal that will make it more nutritious, savory, crunchy and satisfying.

That being said I’ll also give you alternatives if you do not have raw spreads and crackers on hand to throw food together that might look surprisingly simple but in your mouth will be very satisfying.

The following is my base to start all my dressing recipes that are not only raw but quick, easy and nutritious as well.  These usually last about 1 week in the refrigerator and take less than 10 minutes to prepare.

Base dressing:

1 lemon or 2 limes juiced OR 1/4 c apple cider vinegar

1 garlic clove pressed OR 1 inch of ginger pressed

salt and cayenne to taste

Additions to change the taste:

1 to 2 T almond butter, pumpkin seed butter or tahini

1 to 2 T honey or to taste

The following is my recipe for raw hummus.  This recipe will last in the refrigerator for about 4 days.  Quick message about soaking nuts:  almost all nuts and seeds have an enzyme on them that discourages animals including us to eat them.  When we soak them they become more digestible and more nutritious and sweeter.  So be sure to soak all nuts excepts brazil, macadamia, pistachios and pine nuts before you eat them.

Prep:  Night before soak 1 cup of raw almonds

Lou’s Raw Hummus:

1  Zucchini medium to large

1 c soaked almonds (overnight or about 6 to 8 hours)

1/4 c tahini (sesame seed butter)

1 clove garlic

1 lemon juiced

1 t Himalayan or celtic salt or dulse flakes (seaweed adds minerals)

2 t paprika

1 T cumin

1/4 t cayenne pepper

2 T olive oil

Process all ingredients until smooth

My favorite nut cheeze recipe which also last in the refrigerator for about 4 days.

Lou’s Brazil Nut Cheeze

1 c Brazil nuts (no need to soak these nuts)

1 lemon juiced

1 - 2 cloves of garlic

1/2 t salt

bunch of cilantro

1/2 jalapeno seeded

Add as little water as need for consistency 

Process all ingredients until smooth.

KISM ~  Keep It Simple Meals:  1 serving size each

Choose one or no more than two of the following:

1/4 avocado

3 - 4 moroccan oil cured black olives

1 T hummus or nut cheeze or handful of nuts or seeds

1 to 2 raw crackers

Choose as many of the following as you want:

cherry and/or sliced tomatoes

sliced cucumbers

sliced red bell pepper

sprouts:  alfalfa, clover, sunflower seeds are our favorites

celery sticks

carrot sticks or shredded

purple cabbage shredded 

jicama sliced or shredded - sweet and crunchy

romaine, chard, spinach or collard leaves

Or your favorite veggie

Choose one of the following for dessert:

Handful of raisins or other dried fruit

2 dates stuffed with almonds or almond butter

Raw coconut shredded with handful of raisins tastes like a cookie!  Yum!  Great on the go or hiking food!

Additional Ideas:

Use leaves as taco’s or wraps by spreading hummus, cheeze or avocado and place veggies inside.

Cut up veggies will keep a day or two in refrigerator or cut as you eat picnic style.

Mix and match for different flavors you’ll be surprised how it changes the tastes.

Making a wrap? sprinkle a little dressing on top to give extra flavor as well.  A handy salad!

It’s best to eat fresh fruit first because it processes so much quicker than fats or proteins.  This helps with the digestive process.

What are your favorite quick veggie combinations to keep it simple?

Check out my website for additional testimonials on the benefits of going raw!