Or at least try to?
Join me as I follow a raw regimen over the next 14 days. Hitting newsstands this week, our July/August issue has a cover story on raw food...for the rest of us. Or in other words, for all of the not-so-raw eaters out there.
When I started researching the story I was quickly swayed after interviewing top raw foodists (glowing skin! boosted energy! dropped pounds!) that a raw diet could be a trend worth trying.
In a nutshell, a raw diet consists of foods that haven't been heated over 104° (some experts believe the temperature is closer to 120°, but you get the idea). Raw foodists claim the active enzymes in raw fruits and vegetables are vital for your health and lose their nutritional punch when they've been cooked. So you're correct if images of salad and, well, salad just come to mind.
The good news is that raw recipes have a creative side, too, and while I will be eating A LOT of salad over the next 14 days, I will also make the fresh recipes developed by Whole Living's deputy food editor, Shira Bocar. She set out to reinvent our vision of raw, and will likely conjure a few converts with her no-cook Strawberry Oat Bars and Cocoa Pudding (avocados stealthily deliver creaminess in this recipe).
In anticipation of this two-week foray in the raw food world, I ate. A lot. I happened to travel down to Philadelphia this weekend to visit a friend. A greasy cheesesteak sandwich topped with cheese whiz (yes, I ate fake cheese) is not a meal you would typically find me eating, but I made a worthwhile exception.
So last night I stopped by Whole Foods with my roommate (three of my friends are giving up cooked food, too) and stocked up on avocados, leafy greens, radishes, carrots, sprouted lentils, fresh dill, apples, bananas, almonds, and sunflower seeds.
I'll track what I've eaten and how I'm feeling each day. This is the most intense cleanse I've done for my body, and I am eager to see the results!
1 One of my last dives into the world of cooked food: a pulled pork sandwich with sharp provolone.
2 Fruits and vegetables for the week. Kombucha, too!
3 The proteins: raw almonds, avocados, sunflower seeds, and sprouted lentils
4 Carrot sticks for a snack. Fresh herbs, like dill, add punch to a meal.
5 Today's lunch: spinach salad with sprouted lentils, avocadoes, radishes, and fresh dill.
6 Breakfast through mid-afternoon snack: Banana, peach, salad, and snacks.
7 Snack time: carrot sticks and raw almonds and sunflower seeds
My Day of Food
Breakfast: Banana
Lunch: Spinach salad with sprouted lentils, radishes, and avocado
Snack: A handful of raw almonds and sunflower seeds
How I'm Feeling
A little hungry, not going to lie. I also didn't get a full eight hours of sleep last night and woke up thinking "I'll just drink coffee. Oh, scratch that." I'm not a habitual coffee drinker, I try to only go for it when I need the buzz. Certainly needed it today, but it's all part of the challenge.
From: Shawna | 6/13/11 at 3:59 pm
What a great thing to try out for two weeks. I've done this many times & lived a vegan raw life for a few years with good and bad results, but mostly good. I cant pinpoint the cause of my joint issues, hair loss, teeth loosening, etc. I think a cleanse is a good thing although by the time u stop having cleansing headaches, etc. it will be over & u may just want to keep eating that way. There are so many debates over whether we can break down the nutrients in uncooked foods. This topic happens to be one I obsess over. lol. This and religion. ugh!! anyways, fruits and veggies can only help in any sitution, so Im all for it. I have been wanting to go back to eating raw at least 80% because I feel so vibrant doing so. Have u happened to see durianrider , rawradianthealth , kevingianni or liferegenerator on youtube. They are pretty inspiring. There are many more on there as well. Lizyartur is a raw foodist, but they will tell u that one banana in the a.m. is not enough. U should eat until full & lots!! Hope u experience great results! I'm going to get some good fruits today, including cherries! NOM
From: Heather | 6/13/11 at 4:39 pm
Oh honey, a banana is NOT breakfast. Do you have a copy of Crazy Sexy Diet? Or have you tried green smoothies? http://www.alkalinesisters.com/alkaline-green-smoothie-new-york-city/1906/
From: Tiffany | 6/13/11 at 5:20 pm
Add some http://www.clearyourcells.com antioxidant tea to your raw diet!
From: Lauren | 6/13/11 at 6:12 pm
I have been following this magazine for a while and have yet to come across an article on solely raw food!
I went on a two week raw food cleanse about a year ago. it was one of the best things i ever did for myself. The effects were very noticeable as well. I cant speak for everyone but from my experience this cleanse should not be started on a day when you have a lot to do. The Effects of a raw food cleanse can be mild to drastic depending on the person. I would experience tingling in my legs,fatigue and extreme hunger. However after about 4 days the feelings subsided and i started waking up with a smile on my face! I didn't have a problem waking up early, and had so much energy.
I hope this is a good journey for you!
_Libran
From: Noelle Twiggs @ GreenLemonade.com | 6/13/11 at 7:30 pm
Lindsay! This is the perfect time of year to explore two weeks on raw foods. The farmers markets are so inspiring right now. I'm looking forward to hearing about your journey! - Noelle
From: Denise Maher | 6/16/11 at 9:13 am
go lindsay go!
From: Raw Strawberry Oat Bars « The Lucky Duckling | 9/14/11 at 3:12 pm
[...] long. You should definitely check out Lindsay Funston as she blogs about her Raw Challenge here on Whole Living Daily. She gives a lot of really great advice and insight into the seemingly scary raw [...]