newbie :) + question

Posted by Miranda on May 14, 2008 at 3:17pm in Raw BE -ginners

i've already posted this in raw food newbies, but i figured it would be ok to post it here, too! (if not, tell me so, and i will delete it)

I've been trying to eat raw for almost half a year. i eat a lot of fruit (because i love it), but i still struggle with salads and juicing/smoothies.
i am unable to make my own salad dressing, not even a really simple one. share a recipe with me, pleeease. something that is yummy and doesn't take long to prepare. i am also really uninventive with salads (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and bell peppers. and that's about it...) any ideas?
i know that i could probably look for recipes online, but the sheer number overwhelms me (where to start?).
also, for juicing. i have a blender at home, but i am as bad with jucing things as i am with salads. once i tried to make a smoothie out of a banana and berries, but it ended up tasting terrible. i have no idea how i managed to do that. easy recipes please! something i can throw together in the morning, and that gives me engery for the day.

i know i sound terrible, but i really suck at cooking (or uncooking in this case).

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Heather on May 15, 2008 at 12:41pm: Hi Miranda and welcome to the raw world. I just started a salad discussion in The Bitchin Kitsch'n group where I posted my newest salad and hope to add one daily. You should check it out, as I am sure others will post their favorites as well.

Otherwise, my best advice to you, Don't Be Afraid. Just start with a base: spinach, kale, arurgola, butter leaf etc. Then add in an herb. My favorite lately has been curly parsley, but you can try basil, cilantro or whatever. The pile on some other of your favorite veggies: avocado, tomato, cucumber, cauliflower, carrots, radishes, you get the point. And top it all off with some great Olive Oil, a vinegar, juice of a lemon, lime, or grapefruit, some salt, pepper and Voila! You have a salad. Enjoy and get funky with it.
xoxo, Heather; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Julie on May 17, 2008 at 5:26am: Hi newbie :) I'm new to this forum but my favorite salad dressing in the world is suuuuper simple. Cold-pressed olive oil, lemon juice, sea salt, ground pepper.
I usually put about a quarter of a cup of olive oil in a mug, cut a lemon and use one half for dressing, save the rest for whatever, squeeze all of the juice from the half into the olive oil, add salt and pepper to taste, and stir with a fork until it has that vinaigrette look.
It always just tastes light and summery :)
hope you like it; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by bitt on May 19, 2008 at 12:48am: salad dressing: i use sesame tahini (about a teaspoon or 2), and a little lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. add water and pour over salad.

there are some great videos out there that will show you how to make a smoothie. go to youtube and search "green smoothie".; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dani Ani on May 19, 2008 at 2:17pm: Hello! I have been experimenting on and off with raw foods for about 4 years now but my dad has been successful staying 100% raw by eating simply!

It's nice to make a raw gourmet meal once in a while but for the most part if you keep things simple, eat when you are hungry and don't stress too much about making "meals" it will help you stay raw in the beginning!

Smoothies are great in the morning if you follow this:
You need a base, bananas are great add 1 large or 2 small ones
About half a cup of fluid to get things blending I use fresh orange juice or even water
Then add something yummy for flavor like strawberries, I use frozen because it makes the smoothie turn out the right consistency. Get creative with different berries, but again keep it simple! Blueberries are great but I don't mix them with other berries. : ); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eden on June 8, 2008 at 11:17pm: Dressing:; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Eden on June 8, 2008 at 11:31pm: And for salads, I tend to chop up whatever veggies I like (and i try to include as many textures and colors as possible)
Example (and keep in mind that the measurements are guesstimations):
1pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 diced red pepper
1 chopped avocado (mmmm creammmmy)
a few shredded leaves of green lettuce
a few handfuls of sugar snap peas
and lots of sprouts!
(mix the above ing. and squirt/mix with fresh lemon juice to maintain freshness and add alkalizing power!)

If I feel like a decadent but easy meal, I'll mash the avocado with diced pepper and sprouts and spoon the guacamole into green leaf lettuce or romaine leaves. Then I'll top it with halved cherry tomatoes, drizzle with sexy bitches! dressing and eat oh so messily!

I hope that helps! :)

- Eden; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Saxon on June 16, 2008 at 10:32pm: Hi Miranda,

Newbie myself. I cut up an apple and eat it with Raw almond butter for breakfast. Easy, yummy and satisfying.

Enjoy =-); ▶ Reply to This