A POTLUCK OF PERSPECTIVES

A few days ago I read a blog post lamenting the lack of variety available in a Raw Food diet. I wish the author could have joined us Thursday night for our first Rawvive Reboot potluck. Past and present Rebooters got together to socialize and share their favorite Raw Food dishes. I was really struck by the range of food and flavors on the table. The menu included exotic salads, raw versions of traditional main dishes, and decadent desserts. Nothing was missing.

Nancy said her salad had “everything but the kitchen sink,” and with every bite I tasted something new. Gloria’s salad had hints of a Mediterranean influence. Seshep’s dish had a rich taste of curry and could easily have come right off the menu at a Thai restaurant.

Some of us brought Raw versions of traditional favorites. Marcia brought veggies and a wonderful Raw ranch for dipping. I brought veggie-packed Raw pizzas and the “meatloaf” with barbecue sauce I made for Thanksgiving.

And of course we had dessert! Diana’s truffle balls rivaled any box of chocolates, and Suzanne’s beautiful lemon cheesecake? To die for!

It occurred to me that there’s not only an abundance of variety available in a Raw Food diet, but the diet is also much more personalized. Without tradition or chain restaurants to influence our expectations, we’re left to chart our own course and develop menus that more intimately appeal to our individual tastes.

Based on my experience at the potluck, my advice to Raw Foodists experiencing a lack of variety in their diet is to get out more. Find other Raw Foodists in person or online and ask what they’re eating. Visit Raw Food restaurants or take a look at their menus online. And don’t be afraid to experiment. Just because you’re eating the same thing over and over again doesn’t mean all Raw Foodists are. By switching to a Raw Food diet you’re already breaking from precedent. Keep breaking until you find a menu variety that’s right for you. Ultimately, if you're not finding enough variety in your Raw Food diet, it's probably not the diet that deserves the blame.