Level Up With Raw Food and Recipes

Ever heard someone say, you should eat more “raw food?” We aren’t talking sushi, here. Although sushi is great, but that’s another post...

I am not a nutritionist, so we are not going in the depths of “raw food diet.” But over the past 4 years, I have seen benefits in filling my plate with more fresh, raw fruits and veggies in my meals. So, I am excited to share with you what this lifestyle change is, the benefits, and some recipes I love and why. Then, YOU can make your decision on what’s best for you.

First off, the raw food “diet” is not really a diet - it’s more like an “anti-diet.” It’s about lifestyle changes away from processed  - ahem, DEAD - food, and incorporating more uncooked or lightly steamed veggies. If you are looking for a way to start implementing healthy lifestyle changes slowly for long-term wellness, this is worth trying for nearly everyone.

Why I love it...

• This lifestyle change has helped me to love fruit & vegetables  - and they ARE actually pretty tasty and filling!

• I notice less digestion issues and skin issues when I eat this way.

• Enzymes are more plentiful in raw food, making it easier to digest.

• For most vegetables, less nutrients are harmed through cooking, so MORE nutrients are available for your body. There are exceptions to the rule (pumpkins and tomatoes are examples), but this is a good guideline.

• Raw food is easy to prepare ahead for the day or even the week.

• With raw food, there is usually less clean up.

• I reduce and then eliminate the processed, GMO foods that rob me of nutrients and vitality (girl, we don’t need those for our boss journey).

• As you eat more fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats, you are automatically consuming more superfoods without having to overthink it.

My Day With Raw Food...

• I try to fill half my plate with fresh, non-starchy vegetables and fruit. I almost always eat organic, and if possible, local, produce.

• In moderation, I still eat quality animal products cooked. Everyone is different… some people can do less animal products or none. But for me so far, my body needs the protein.

• I use good fats in my cooking  - not bad fats. I use cooking oils that are organic, and if possible, cold-pressed and unrefined for optimal nutrition. The cooking oils I love include olive oil, coconut oil, grass-fed butter, avocado oil, and grapeseed oil. 

• I still have desserts, but I use unrefined sugar in the desserts I make. Unrefined sugars I use include maple syrup, honey, and organic cane sugar. For an even easier meal, I just have a delightful fruit bowl with coconut cream!

Ready to start? 

Start slowly implementing more raw foods in your diet per meal. 

Why go slow? 

Because, if you go “cold turkey” from processed, boxed, microwaved food to 75% raw, unprocessed, food, you will probably feel digestive issues because your gut needs time to heal from the toxins you’ve consumed over time.

Let me give you a couple of my FAVORITE raw food recipes that are SUPER EASY (because, well, raw food lifestyle change is easier in cooking and clean-up):