R: Raw Food

I’m fascinated by the raw-foodies, the same way I’m fascinated by people who can run 100 miles or thrive on 2 hours of sleep a night. I understand the basic principle behind rawism—that raising the temperature of food above 120 degrees or so destroys beneficial enzymes. But in practice…I don’t think I could do it full-time.

I like raw veggies—and a big salad—as much as the next girl. I like to grow my own sprouts, and I love fruit. I’m pretty sure, though, that a bowl of zucchini shavings wouldn’t satisfy a pasta craving. And, as I tend to be cold-blooded, I really enjoy hot food. Especially soup. That first cavewoman who threw some wild mushrooms into bubbling mammoth broth was my kind of cook. When I want soup, a bowl of pureed, room-temperature, raw-enzymatic-goodness isn’t going to cut it.

To prepare for today’s post, I had a raw lunch yesterday. I bought some garden herb sea crackers made by Two Moms in the Raw in Lafayette CO, Organic Valley raw cheddar cheese, and a chocolate hazelnut bar from Raw Revolution. I made my own salad of sprouted black-eyed peas, grapefruit, avocado, and red onion.




It was all good. The crackers are super-flaxy but had a nice herb flavor. I couldn’t tell the difference between the raw cheese and a regular mild white cheddar. The bar was chocolatey enough, I suppose. After lunch, I felt as though I’d eaten very healthfully. But more so than if I’d had roasted salmon and sweet potato? I’m not sure.

Prepared raw food products are pricey--my three items cost thirteen dollars--but high-quality food tends to cost more than junk, in general. Homemade raw food can be labor intensive. Many of the recipes I found online require hardware I don’t have—namely a juicer and a dehydrator--and often use lots of nuts, flax, avocado, and coconut. I like all those things. But I also like steak.

As a committed omnivore, it certainly won’t hurt me to make room in my diet for raw foods. And I guarantee that some of them will come in the form of my very favorite desserts from Tasty Harmony in downtown Fort Collins. I’ve had their pies and carrot cake, and they are absolutely raw-licious. Tasty Harmony also has non-dessert raw menu items, including a pesto pizza that looks intriguing.





Comments

Misha Gerrick said…
I'm with you on the rawism thing. Sure, it looks healthy. And I know I can try some more salads... But... I like warm food. And meat. Lots and lots of meat.

The first caveman who killed a mammoth is my hero. ;-P
Tracy Moore said…
I have gone vegetarian for prolonged periods off and on, but I do not think I could do the raw thing either. Like you, I enjoy my warm food on a cold day. :)
Anonymous said…
There we go with the Mammoth again! :)

Nothing beats your own home grown raw veggies, but how come they never come out like the picture on the seed package?

Marcie Johnston
Hi Jenny .. that's a good healthy comment - and I like the fact you tried everything out. I'm like you - I'm an omnivore .. but I'm probably more vegetarian oriented .. though the desire for meat does come galloping up occasionally!

I always have a salad for lunch .. and fruit during the day ..

I'm sure we're both healthier for it .. enjoy your Easter time .. and lovely to meet you .. cheers Hilary
Jenny said…
I know...the mammoths...

I'm going to try to get a garden going soon. That will help with my occasional rawism.

Nice to meet you too, Hilary. Thanks for stopping by.

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