I’m sharing this amazing list of non-raw foods with you from “Gone Frutti”. It’s a fantastic compilation of foods that are often featured/labeled as “raw” but are not 100% raw and sometimes very far from it. As Rebecca at Gone Frutti says, “this only further strengthens my belief that whilst ‘high raw’ is better than the average diet these days, it’s always better to go simple, fresh, natural and whole.” Amen, sister.

The Dead Food List

These items are often featured in raw food recipes, restaurants and products, but they are not commonly found raw. Many raw food websites, books, etc. have a “high raw” philosophy that allows for some cooked food. This list is intended to help you be aware of cooked items, so that whenever you want to, you can eat Purely Raw foods.

Several of these items are often labelled as “raw” and/or sold by “raw” websites, yet they have been heated. You can purchase a few of these items raw, when they’ve been specifically produced for the raw food community. The seller will usually mention the measures taken to keep the product raw in these special cases, when you are not sure, always ask.

We contact the producer no matter what the label says. More often than not, we find a step that involves too much heat. Please do the same. The more health aware customers contacting producers and suppliers about their methods, the better for everyone!

Agave Nectar

Has to be treated and altered from it’s natural state to taste ‘sweet’. Even when labeled or advertised as raw, if it is sweet, it has been heated. Some manufactures claim that lower air pressures can be used to keep the heat below 45c/115f  and thus producing sweet “Raw”? nectar.

Almonds

Many Almonds come from America, and those Almonds nearly always come from California. Because of a new law, (Sept ’07) all California Almonds produced are pasturised and therefore no longer raw.

Bragg’s Liquid Aminos

Made from a base of cooked ingredients.

Brazil Nuts

If shelled they’ve been baked, boiled or steamed. (substitute Walnuts, Pine Nuts or Hazelnuts)

Cacao

After harvest cacao pods are piled up to ‘sweat’ or ferment for 3 to 4 days. During this time the temps can reach above 140f. They are often heated again during the drying process. We would like to find a source for fresh cacao pods or cacao beans that will sprout, if anyone has one.

Cashew Nuts

Most cashews that are sold as raw are heated to shell and boiled to remove strong toxins. Even those that sprout and grow, make some raw fooders sick. (Substitute Pine Nuts, Hazelnuts)

Dried Fruit

Blanched, gassed, and high temp dried. (Dry your own fruit).

Frozen Vegetables

Blanched or boiled even when labelled “Fresh frozen”. It will make your recipes taste and smell off. (Fresh is best!)

Ground Almonds

Blanched before grinding. (Grind your own.)

Hijiki/Hiziki (seaweed)

Dried at high temps.

Juice

All packaged, bottled and canned juice is pasteurized unless it states clearly that it is not.

Macadamia Nuts

Dried at high temps. (substitute Hazelnuts or Sunflower Seeds)

Maple Syrup

After the Maple sap is taken from the tree, it is boiled to reduce it into syrup and make it sweeter.

Miso

Even un-pasteurized Miso is made from cooked ingredients.

Nama Shoyu

Made from a base of cooked ingredients.

Nori (seaweed)

Both black and green are dried at high temps. The colour is not a sure sign. Even ‘Clearspring’ brand when sold as raw.

Nutritional Yeast

Basically baked to kill the yeast. (substitute Pine Nuts, lemon and a little raw salt.)

Oats

Steamed to keep out worms in storage.

Olive Oil

Must say unfiltered and cold pressed and even then you should check with the producer. (substitute Avocado)

Olives

If canned, jarred or packed they’re usually cooked and normally in bad oils as well.

Peacans

If shelled they’ve been boiled or steamed. (substitute soaked Walnuts or Hazelnuts)

Sugar

All processed sugar has been boiled and dried at high temps. Even ‘Raw’ sugar is NOT raw and often dyed brown.

Tahini

High temps during processing. Even stone ground, unpasteurized and made with un-roasted sesame seeds does not ensure that it is raw. Check with the manufacturer. (substitute self-ground sesame seads and a little raw Olive Oil.)

Wild Rice

Neither wild nor raw. Blanched after havest to keep out bugs.

Kelp noodles rawk!!! They are virtually calorie free and don’t taste like the sea at all. There is no sugar, gluten, wheat, rice or flour. Kelp is known to aid the metabolism, boost energy, aid in digestion and they contain an abundance of minerals.

Ingredients for Raw, Vegan Pesto Kelp Noodles:

*2 packages Kelp Noodles

*2 large bushels of fresh Basil leaves

*1 Cup fresh Spinach

*1/4 C Extra Virgin Olive Oil

*1/2 Cup raw Pinenuts

*2 fresh Garlic cloves

*1/2 Teaspoon Celtic Sea Salt

pinenuts

Directions:

1) soak kelp noodles in warm/hot water for at least 20 minutes. Drain and  wring out excess water.

2) combine all ingredients in food processor/Cuisinart (except kelp noodles)

3) taste the pesto. It may need more sea salt or garlic for your taste. Also, if it’s too chunky, add more olive oil or a little bit of filtered water. If it’s too watery, add more pine nuts or spinach/basil.

Pesto Kelp Noodles

If you want a variation, try my recipe for Cheezy Kelp Noodles!

I love this recipe for raw, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free chocolate chip cookies. They taste like the raw cookie dough we aren’t supposed to love and eat while we’re making “real” cookies… only these are egg-free and completely safe to eat a ton of! Now I’m sharing the recipe with you, for your noshing pleasure.

Recipe for Raw Chocolate Chip Cookies

*2 C nuts (soaked almonds)

*1/2 C dates

*1 tsp vanilla extract

*1/2 tsp sea salt

*1/4 C coconut oil, melted (not in a microwave)

*1/4 C-1/2 C chocolate chips (depending on your love of chocolate)

Directions

1. With a food processor, grind up all above ingredients except the chocolate chips. If you process them for a long time they will taste much more like cookie dough, if you process for less time they will have a nutty consistency which is fun and tasty, too!

2. After processing to desired consistency, drop the chocolate chips into the dough and mix with a spoon. Then pulse 3-4 times to mix it and grind the chips into the mixture.

3. Take a cookie sheet and spread the cookie dough into the pan, using your fingers to press into the corners and flatten into one even, level, layer.

4. Put in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes to an hour to harden.

5. I then took it out and used heart cookie shape cutters but you can roll them into a ball and leave them that way, use another shape, or take the ball and flatten it into a round “cookie”. sky’s the limit! ENJOY!!!

Today I met a client to take her grocery shopping after doing a 3 day Philosophie cleanse. She bought pineapple and said it’s one of her faves…so, since it’s almost summer, I thought I’d post some recipes for yummy Pineapple Salads!!

Sweet and Tropical tasting-Creamy Pineapple Sauce:

1/4 cup cashew or macadamia butter

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1 tb. lemon juice

1/2 tb. olive oil

2 tsp. dried dill

Pineapple Waldorf Salad:

1 chopped apple

1/2 C Pineapple chunks

3 stalks celery, sliced

3-4 scallions, chopped

1/2 C walnuts or pecans

1/4 C parsley, chopped

Creamy Pineapple Sauce

Sea Salt to taste

Bon Appetite!

Now that I’m pregnant, I have to get blood taken all the time. I get kinda queasy after wards, and usually need a sugar hit like fruit or juice. My husband came prepared the last time, buying me a Naked smoothie and an Almond Joy. The Almond Joy was good, and made luckily with dark chocolate, but way too sugary with a ton of horrible additives.

This recipe is a healthier version of Almond Joy made with coconut oil, carob, almonds, and agave. You’ll never know it’s dairy-free, sugar-free and gluten-free!!

• 

  ingredients

  1  cup melted extra virgin coconut oil

• 1/4 cup organic raw almond butter
• 3 drops Liquid Stevia Vanilla Creme
• 3 drops Liquid Stevia Chocolate
• 4 tablespoons agave
• 1 tablespoon organic vanilla
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 3/4 cup roasted carob powder (or chips and melt)
• 1/4 cup organic hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup almond meal
• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut

To melt coconut oil, place jar under warm/hot water.

In a medium bowl, place melted coconut oil and almond butter. Stir until both are blended. Next, stir/whisk in Liquid Stevia Vanilla Creme and Chocolate, agave, and vanilla. Add in cinnamon and stir until it blends evenly. Slowly stir in carob a tablespoon at a time. The mixture should still be slightly runny. Add in almond meal, hemp seeds, and coconut. The mixture will run off the spoon, but very slowly.

Spoon into mini cupcake trays lined with paper liners. Pour in mixture half way. Chill in freezer for 15 minutes. When the candies are set, pop out and store in a freezer safe container. Keep frozen!

missing fish? pate? meat? this may just do the trick!

This is a great dish to bring to a potluck or for a party.. easy to snack on with flax chips or veggie sticks and no one will know there’s not a single animal product!

Mock Salmon Pate

• 2 cups almonds or walnuts, soaked overnight
• 1 cup celery, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 2 med. or large carrots
• 3 tsp. lemon juice
• Dulse Flakes, rinsed
• 1/4 cup purified water
• Parsley
• 1 head romaine lettuce, raw crackers, or 1 bunch celery stalks

Run the almonds/walnuts and carrots through a Champion juicer, using the “blank” plate to make a smooth pate. If you don’t have one, you buy organic carrot juice and almond butter and blend in a food processor.

Mix all ingredients except the lettuce in a bowl, adding the dulse to taste.

Form the mixture into a rounded (or other shape) loaf, and garnish with parsley.

To serve, spoon onto the lettuce leaves and eat like a sandwich, eat with toast or spread onto celery sticks.

This is a staple healthy, raw, vegan dish in our home. Everyone loves it! My husband, friends AND PUPPY! It will store for a few days in your fridge after marinated and prepared.

• 1 bunch fresh kale, de-stemmed and shredded
• 1 avocado, cubed or sliced thin
• 3 stalks celery, sliced thin or minced
• 1 green apple, sliced thin or minced (in the same size as your celery pieces)
• 1/3 C lemon juice
• 1/2 t sea salt
• 2 T Bragg’s liquid aminos
• 1/3 C olive oil
• 1 T honey or agave nectar

Put the shredded kale in a large bowl with the salt. With your hands, squeeze and massage the kale and mix it well with the salt. Keep massaging the kale for up to 3-5 minutes as the kale will darken, shrink in size and the fibers will break down. Once this happens, mix in all of the other ingredients into the bowl, except the avocado.

Serve on a pretty plate and garnish with pretty avocado pieces on top.

note: you might want to experiment with how much lemon juice, bragg’s, and agave/honey you put in this. the above recipe is a pretty good guideline but you’ll find that you’ll have your own preferences. Go with whatever tastes good to you!

check out this great interview with a Parisian Chef

he was incredibly curious about my way of eating… here’s what we talked about!

Looking for an easy dessert to make without getting an stomach ache or preparing something extravagant for hours?

Make a little extra of this pudding and store it in the fridge for a few days! *warning: can be addictive

Vanilla Pudding

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup pitted dates, soaked 10-20 minutes
• 1/2 cup fresh berries
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract/vanilla pod

Coconut Banana Pudding (chocolate or vanilla!)

• 1 ripe banana
• 6 dates, soaked up to 30 minutes
• meat and water from one young coconut
• 2 tsp vanilla extract or 1/4 cup raw cacao or carob powder
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Coconut Banana PIE!!!!!!!

• 3 Avocados
• 3 Bananas
• 1/4 cup of honey or agave (add more or less depending on how sweet you like it)
• 1/4 cup of raw chocolate

*Mix these ingredients together in the vitamix or blender. In a blender you may need to add some water or nut mylk to get it to mix together. When creamy and smooth, spread the pudding into a dish.

Dairy-free Whipped Cream Topping:

• Meat from 2 young Thai coconuts
• 1/4 cup of honey/agave

Mix together in your food processor or high-speed blender. Mix until creamy and spread it on top of the chocolate mixture.

*Garnish however you like. I cut up one banana and sprinkled with coconut flakes

all of these recipes are dairy-free, gluten-free and raw! bona!

Reporting in from InSpiral Lounge- London, England

I’m writing this review as I sit in this lively raw organic vegetarian restaurant (and Vegan) in Camden Town, London. I’m sitting at a small wooden table with uneven chairs, by the glowing Himalayan sea salt figure light source, while the energetic African music smiles in my ears.

I just finished eating a raw nut burger, what they call their “Sunfood Burger”. It was a little dry, but overall very tasty and I basically swallowed it whole.With every dish you purchase, you get 3 sides included, so I chose 3 raw salads with bright, vibrant colors and distinct familiar tastes. It’s been 3 days since I’ve had this food I love so dearly, so I practically licked the plate.

My husband and I drove back to London today from Belgium in order for me to work for this restaurant, InSprial. This is our “honeymoon”, or at least our version of it. It’s not that we aren’t enjoying each other, or totally infatuated with each other: it’s just that we love our jobs that much. We are in Europe and by day we walk around on the bustling streets and go have European cappuccinos (mine with soy obviously) and for a few hours each day we bring our computers and tap into our clients, blog readers and the jobs we love so dearly.

Which brings me to this moment:

At first I thought it was oxymoronic to say “healthy food in London” BOY WAS I WRONG!

I emailed InSprial before leaving for England, after finding them on the internet, explaining I was coming to London for two weeks and would love to do a workshop for them on raw food or help in the kitchen. A week later, I received an enthusiastic reply, indicating they would put me in touch with their head chef. A few days later Enzo, their vegetarian cook, wrote asking if I could help the restaurant recreate their raw menu for the New Year. I obviously said Yes… with zero attempt at hiding my zealous vigor.

I met with Enzo last week and we discussed his ideas and what he needs from me. In the quickest hour of my life, I told him what I thought of the dishes they already have, he told me what he thought, and within 60 minutes we had a plan. He needed 7 new raw salads with superfoods in the dressings or in the salad & 2 new entree’s-one raw sushi dish and one random dish using my incredible imagination

We decided on my hours for this week (so that Adi and I could go to Paris and Belgium for a few days) and voila! Here we are! I showed him all my work–the 7 new recipes and 2 entrees–and he loved all of them.

Here’s a sneak preview on my ideas:

• Sprouted Mung Bean Salad with Sesame Seeds and a Raw Tahini Lime Dressing

• Edible Flower Mixed Greens Salad with Fresh Raspberries, Agave Soaked Goji Berries and a Creamy Lemon-Maca Dressing

• Raw Caesar Salad with Baby Jam Lettuce, Raw Parmesan and Capers with A Cacao-Balsamic Dressing

for my “creative” entree I decided on a Mock Loaf with a Raw Mushroom Gravy…

PICTURES TO COME!!!!! Things may change a bit once I get into the kitchen, but that’s when the fun & gratification really begins!

Stay tuned.