TIPS FOR WEEK ONE

As the January Reboot begins I thought now would be a good time to share this question that one of our December Rebooters posted at the beginning of his 30-Day Raw Food Transformation. It's a question that's valid for anyone considering a transition to a Raw Food lifestyle, whether you're doing it as part of the Reboot or on your own. Check out my response to get an idea of how to plan for the first week (or any week) of eating Raw.

Q: What are the tricks of maintaining this way of eating? I would like to plan out the week to come so I'm not eating just salads and smoothies. Thanks!

A: You've already hit on the key to a successful Reboot: it's all about planning! Do some web searches or get your hands on some Raw "cook" books and find some recipes you'll be comfortable preparing. Shop for all of the ingredients ahead of time. Double the recipes so you can have leftovers for lunch or have them for dinner a second night. Make sure you have some versatile ingredients on hand like tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers and zucchini. Make sure your nuts/seeds are soaked and set out to dry for the week.

Here's a recipe I'm planning to try this week: http://www.rawglow.com/recipe10.htm. It looks really easy. I'll probably use cashews instead of macadamia nuts because they're cheaper and easier to find Raw locally. Look for some simple "soup" recipes you can quickly prepare in the blender to take for lunch or have as an easy dinner. This is one I've been meaning to try: http://drpatelsdiet.com/2011/03/27/red-pepper-and-kale-soup-raw-vegan-gluten-free/. I'll add a recipe for nut meat to our Reboot Facebook Group this evening. It's pretty simple and you can have it in a lettuce wrap or use it to fill a bell pepper.

Browse http://rawon10.blogspot.com/, http://www.goneraw.com/, http://www.rawfoodrecipes.com/and look around Google for other Raw recipe sites. I keep a bookmark folder and add recipes whenever I see one that I want to try. I hadn't seen this recipe before, http://www.rawfoodrecipes.com/recipes/raw-veggie-fajitas.html, but it looks really straightforward and delicious. I'd probably skip the sour cream and cheddar sauce parts just to simplify. I'd maybe chop up a cup of tomatoes, 1/4 cup cilantro, 1/2 tsp garlic, 1/2 tsp jalapeno and add 1/4 tsp salt to make a simple salsa to go on top. Use it to fill a leaf of romaine and you've got a nice wrap.

Make a green smoothie or two and pack plenty of fresh fruits, veggies and nuts to take with you to work for snacks.

Salads don't have to be boring. Dressings are easy to make and with the abundance of Raw ingredients available, the sky's the limit. Add some sprouts and nuts to give it some texture and vary the fresh greens you use. Try using thicker elements for your dressings for a richer, heartier taste. Ta-Raw has several different hummus demonstrations on her website (Ta-Raw.com). Try it over greens for something different. Last night I made a mock egg salad and served it over spinach and arugula. It was so thick it wasn't like eating a salad at all. (I'll post that in our Facebook Group tonight too.)

Preparation is definitely the key to success with a Raw Food lifestyle. Other than stopping by Revive for meals, we don't have the option of winging it. The first week or so may be a little rough and may take some extra time, but you'll get it figured out.

Note: The Rebooter who asked the question followed this advice to the "T." He met his goals and ended up being one of our Reboot "Rockstars." He was a regular at our weekly Raw Food Workshops, prepared beautiful meals at home, and shared pictures, recipes and information along the way. We're proud to hear that he plans to continue consuming Raw Foods as a regular part of his post-Reboot diet.

GIVING IN TO RAW FOOD

The first time I heard about the Raw Food lifestyle I knew my life was going to change. I realized before even tasting the food that I had discovered the optimal way of eating: fresh, organic, and nutrient-rich—what could be better?

I was at Fresno’s Revive Café, a local restaurant and market devoted entirely to all things Raw. I bit into their “Matt Burger” and I’m pretty sure my taste buds skipped a beat. My mind was opened and there was no turning back.

I returned to Revive as often as I could. I started scouring the web for any information I could find on Raw Food. The more I read, the more I was convinced that this was a change I needed to make. Eating Raw spoke directly to my ongoing concerns about vitamin deficiency and reliance on processed foods.

But adopting a Raw Food diet seemed like such a huge commitment. My mind was full of excuses. I was training for a marathon as well as a century cycling event and worried about maintaining energy levels. I’d been hitting the gym a lot and didn’t want a calorie or protein deficit to lead to muscle loss. What would I do when traveling or socializing with friends and family? As I’d tick through the schedule in my head looking for the perfect time to commit to going Raw new doubts would emerge.

The answer finally showed up in my Facebook feed. Kyal announced he was starting the Rawvive Reboot: 30 days of juicing and eating only Raw/vegan/organic foods. No exceptions! I watched excitedly as the first Rebooters committed and embarked on their Raw Food journey. As the second Reboot rolled around I went to the café for an orientation session. The reservations I had about working Raw Food into my life lingered, but by the end of the orientation I realized that there was never going to be a perfect time and that I’d never have the answers without making a commitment and experiencing it for myself.

An experience it was! The first week I ate almost exclusively at Revive. It felt a bit like cheating, but it kept me from craving non-raw foods. It also helped me realize the variety that was possible with Raw Food ingredients. I began paying more attention to the dishes I was ordering and started reverse-engineering them as I ate. I began collecting recipes from websites and blogs and accumulating a new stock of groceries. Finally, I began experimenting with Raw foods on my own. I took my microwave to the garage, overcame my aversion to the kitchen, and began creating delicious Raw meals at home. I fell in love with the process.

I quickly learned what would work for my body, my schedule and my life. The sacrifices and conflicts I had imagined before the Reboot turned out to be rewards in practice. I had more energy for my workouts, runs and rides. I maintained my muscle mass but lost 12 pounds I didn’t realize I had to lose. Out of town travel led to the discovery of great new (Raw Food) restaurants. I introduced family and friends to the food at Revive and prepared meals for them at home.

Eating Raw has touched every area of my life. I’ve lost weight, my blood pressure has dropped, and my skin is clearer. My mind is sharper, I’m more energetic and I sleep better at night. Even my social life has changed. I’ve met amazing people who share my concerns about food and the environment and a commitment to good health. As I told someone recently, “Raw Food attracts good people.”

By committing to the 30-day Rawvive Reboot I had no choice but to give myself over to my own Raw Food journey. At the end of the Reboot my questions were answered and my reservations gone. I no longer consider eating Raw a challenge, and I certainly don’t consider it a “diet.” It’s a part of my life and I haven’t eaten cooked food since.