@ sarah – The China Study is an *incredible* read, I’m so happy that you picked it up! Let me know how you like it.

Also, good luck with your cleanse! How is it going so far?

I also guess I should have clarified on the two hungry boys – that would be my husband and brother that live with us – both in their twenties. I don’t think they are going to be jumping on the raw bandwagon ha! They are already enjoying eating in front of me as I’m on the master cleanse (Day 2). Jerks, lol.

We aren’t planning on having kids for a while, but a raw, and varied diet is something I had planned on when we do. Good to know your kids took to it well TC! The best teaching is done by leading after all… It also seems that a varied diet for younger kids is important to discourage picky eaters. My mom always cooked for us growing up and there is very little today that I won’t eat.

I reckon I could live on green smoothies, I just can’t believe how delicious they are! The best one I made used fresh jelly coconut milk instead of water…

Sarah, I found that the amount of fresh raw food my kids ate increased as they took an interest in the meals and smoothies I was preparing for myself. They always ate quite healthy food, but now they’re eating probably double the amount of fruit and veges they were previously. And loving it! They’re into experimenting which is pretty cool for one and three year olds. I’ve been careful not to push anything on them, but always let them have a try of whatever they request, even if I think they won’t like it. Often they’ve surprised me. I guess that down the track when we share mealtimes more regularly they’ll eat more raw, at least as one of the servings on their plate.

If anyone needs encouragement, check out this site, a survey of 500 raw eaters over 2 years: http://www.iowasource.com/food/lenkastudy_0806.html

I understand the initial weirdness of ‘uncooking’, as it’s called. I love to cook, it’s my meditation and my therapy and the way I show love and so much more. But, you can get pretty creative with raw ingredients! A food processor helps, and a blender, and a dehydrator is ideal for an actual raw lifestyle, though not at all necessary. Even just artful assembly and arrangement of food can curb some of the cooking craving. Like, if I make a lunch plate of cut veggies and dip, I’ll cut the veggies very carefully, make sure they’re beautifully trimmed and uniform in size, and maybe prepare 2 or three different dips for variety. All this, laid out aesthetically on a platter, can be quite fun to compose, just like a cooked meal.

I really have not found a single website that I can comfortably recommend, when it comes to raw food and lifestyle. Partly because everyone has a bit of a different perspective, and mostly because there is so much misinformation and disagreement within the raw community. It’s pretty new, and pretty un-studied, and so finding definitive, conclusive answers can be difficult. I strongly suggest that anyone interested in going raw, do a lot of research and read as much and from as many [differing] sources as possible. Each person is different, so what works for you will be different. Listen to your body!

That said, I find this article to be an exceptional example of an intellectual approach to eating, and a great place to start: http://www.vegansociety.com/food/raw_food.php

About groceries, I have shopped a lot of different places, but over the past 6 months or so it has become increasingly important to me to eat all organic and as local and seasonal as possible. I realized that if I really do believe in ‘food-as-medicine’ (I do) and the power of food to affect all aspects of our life and well being (I do), then I just need to make food more of a priority. It’s sort of crazy when you think about it, how easily we de-prioritize food, compromising quality and by doing so, compromising our health. So now, I have joined my local co-op and I swear, just the act of shopping there brings me such joy, knowing that I’m participating in and supporting my community, and knowing that my food is of the highest quality and is as environmentally friendly as possible – these things are priceless. As for actual price, some things (like organic produce) are more expensive, but others (like buying dried goods from bulk bins) become much cheaper. Overall, I definitely spend more on food now. But just the other day I was remarking to my husband (he did not go raw with me, but is veg*n and supported my raw transition) that even though I know we spend more now, we don’t really feel it. The cost is negligible enough to be absorbed, so it’s not like we suddenly can’t pay our bills!

I recognize that not everyone lives in such a progressive city as I do, and thus it won’t be as easy for everyone. Trader Joes is a good chain grocery store that has lots of organic options. Most cities have farmers markets at least once a week, which can be great fun for kids. I love the saying ‘Don’t do nothing just because you can’t do everything’. Start small, you know? Do what you can and be proud of it, and then think about how you can adjust to do more. That’s the way I approach life, at least. =)

I have been contemplating the raw diet for a while now, but for some reason it just seems really weird and confusing. You eat healthy food but… you don’t cook anything? It seems I must be making it too complicated, but as someone who cooks a lot… hmmm.

I’ve been reading your older posts, and I’ve probably missed a lot, but are there any books or websites on transitioning to a raw diet that you could recommend?

I also want to know – where the heck do you buy your groceries? Do you buy completely organic? Partially organic? How hard is it to find raw food quality groceries and how has it affected food budgeting? More expensive (organic)? Or less expensive (lack of meats, etc.)?

I’m thinking mainly of transitioning myself (80% raw, 20% plain ‘ol healthy with an occasional splurge ;) I’m a firm believer in moderation…) but I also have two hungry boys to feed… so I’m wondering how this would affect them. Has your husband attempted to go raw with you, and how does he feel about it? Sorry for all the questions ;)