some advice would be very appreciated :)

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nerdette on May 19, 2008 at 10:56am

I've been chopping a bunch of veggies up into little matchsticks and putting them in Tupperware in the fridge so I always have a bunch of stuff already ready to put in salads if I'm feeling lazy around dinner time and don't feel like taking the effort to cut and peel a bunch of things. I do that with jicama, pears, carrots, zucchini and squashes. And scallions, sprouts, and soaked nuts are good on salad. I haven't been able to find a recipe for salad dressing I like very much, so I've been using store bought un-raw stuff though.

I tried making a few green smoothies that didn't come out very well (I don't have a vitamix or anything, I'm just using a regular kitchen aid blender) but the smoothie I've done that I like the best is a frozen banana, half an avocado, the juice from half a lime, ginger (if you don't want to grate fresh ginger, you can throw in a chunk of crystalized ginger), some cantaloupe, and a bunch of boston lettuce (because it's kind of soft and my crappy blender can blend it without chunks).

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Susan Milner on September 20, 2009 at 1:24am

If you want to make great smoothies consider The VillaWare Moderno Pro. It's inexpensive compared to a Vitamix and blended my raw soups and almond milk better than my previous Vitamix! :) Good luck.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rebecca on May 30, 2008 at 1:40pm

Hey just hang in there. My best advice is to find the book Raw foods for busy people sorry dont remember the author. Just google it or whatever search engine you use. There are some great ideas not to mention very fast to make.
Good luck and hope this helps.
Rebecca

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bitt on May 30, 2008 at 11:31pm

for salad dressing i use about 1 tsp tahini and 1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. add a little water and mix. then pout over salad. I usually do the first 2 at home, put it in a small container and add water at lunchtime.

as far as salads, i use darker more flavorful greens such as mesclin and spinach. i go to the farmer's markets to get yummy spicy salad mix. i add sprouts for crunch.

smoothies: i made my favorite tonight. it's about 1-2 cups forzen mango chunks and 1-2 handfuls spinach. add some water and blend. you really can't go wrong on this one.

try goneraw.com for recipes. sure there are lots but the good ones are ones with 5 stars and lots of comments.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Susan Milner on September 20, 2009 at 1:06am

LOL! You have a humorous way of describing your bad luck in the kitchen! I have a life-saving recipe for you. Take that boring old salad you described but make it REALLY big in a bowl big enough to toss it. I'm describing how to make dressing for a salad made out of a whole head of lettuce. When it comes to salt if you want INCREDIBLE taste you need to buy the really good stuff that should be greyish in color and usually 10 dollars a bag. Trust me, it makes a great difference!

Here's what else you need:
1 clove of garlic
I lemon juiced
I avocado diced
a good handful of cilantro ( I cut mine with a pair of scissors since it's easiest)

Assemble your salad, then dice up your avocado and toss it into the salad with the snipped cilantro. squeeze the lemon juice into a small container and press the garlic into it. If you don't have a garlic press just chop it up finely and add it to the lemon juice. I do reccomend owning a garlic press since it is so inexpensive and worthwhile. Season with sea salt to taste and add crushed black pepper. If you have a lid for your salad bowl put it on and toss it violently. When you open it up you'll find a zesty and nourishing salad. If it lacks flavour add a little more sea salt since it is rich in flavour.

When it comes to juicing I would imagine it to be a bit of a task when using a blender. If you want a great inexpensive juicer try the Waring Pro. It's around 70 dollars new and is easy to clean and use. If you have any questions please contact me since I love preparing raw foods and have been at it for a long time although I haven't gone all the way raw yet. I'm on my way. Best of luck! :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Miriam Gardner on September 21, 2009 at 2:56pm

I like to make the liquid base first and then add the flavors after (fruits,vanilla, berries etc.)
,,it could be almond milk (blend a good handfull of almonds with a liter of pure water for a minute or so, then sift or put through a nut bag) . Once I have my almond milk I can add some raw vanilla,a banana or two and some frozen strawberries or whatever frozen berries I can find at the time. To sweaten maybe use dates or raw honey blended in .

I also use fresh pressed juice for my base then add a banana and some frozen berries....if you dont have a juicer use orange juice squeeeezed;)

for me its important to have these smoothies cold!! If you want you can put ice cubes in...

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lindsay on September 21, 2009 at 5:32pm

The easiest dressings to make are vinagrettes... just whisk together some olive oil and your choice of vinegar (apple cider, red wine, etc.) and a little salt and pepper and any herbs you like. Then just store some in the fridge so you always have it on hand! If you want a creamy dressing, use one of the tahini or avocado based recipes that are mentioned above, they are both really good!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Helen Spencer on November 1, 2009 at 1:17am

Juicing

Ninja juice:

1 beet
1 lemon
1 cucumber
2 pears or apples

The color is amazing! and you can't taste the beet at all.

Smoothie

You'll need a Virgin Coconut.

What I like to do is open up the coconut at top and pour the water into a food processor. Crack open the rest of the coconut and scrap the meat out and put into the food processor. Mix it together until smooth. So you get a coconut paste. I'll put into a container, store in fridge and save it for recipes.

Pina colada

Half of a pineapple
1 or two juiced oranges
Coconut paste
Ginger (optional) small amount of shavings

It's refreshing!!

▶ Reply to This