Raw Food 21 Day Winter Challenge
I am excited. If you have been hanging around here for a bit, you know I am not consistently a 100% raw foodist. During the summer? Yes. Because it is easy to be 100%. Local produce is plentiful, the weather is warm, we crave salads and fruit. But when the temps dip below zero in Minnesota, there is 2 plus feet of snow on the ground, and you can hear the wind howling outside, a plate of fruit and salad just doesn’t cut it.
If you browse the site, you will find a lot of heartier, raw food recipes that I use in the winter. But I also give myself leeway to eat more cooked food. As the winter progresses, I tend to allow myself greater quantities of cooked food which can degenerate into eating food that is not good for me, cooked or raw. My body says stop, and I listen, and get inspired.
But why am I excited? Tomorrow, February 1st, I am going to start a 21 day full raw winter “challenge”. Websters defines challenge: “to arouse or stimulate especially by presenting with difficulties.” I guess it fits because eating a raw diet in the middle of a cold, dark winter can be difficult. But doing this challenge should be stimulating and I am hoping it will arouse a new passion for raw in the dead of winter.
I believe that it will also give me new insight into how to over come the challenges presented and find new ways to share them with you. Mostly, I am just looking forward to how I will feel. I will be writing about this every day for the 21 days on the 21 day tab that you will find at the top of the blog starting tomorrow.
As for today, preparation includes cleaning out the refrigerator, restocking using the pantry list, starting sprouts and soaking grains and making some of my staples (flat breads, nut butters, etc.) Creating more recipes for this challenge is going to be fun and exciting. I invite you to follow along or even join me as I walk through the snow covered pines, raw.
Kim wrote on February 1, 2010
Your post was just the inspiration I needed this morning, between Thanksgiving and now my eating habits have been on a steady decline. I recently purchased a vitamix and I have a good dehydrator that are begging to be used, but the weather has had me reaching for quick solutions for meals that are beginning to take their toll. I need some energy… I need some clean raw food. I will be following closely for the next few weeks to keep jazzed about cleaning up my diet. I love your posts and amazing recipes.
Diane wrote on February 1, 2010
So far I haven’t been able to get my head (or my stomach) around all raw in winter, I tend to overdo it with nuts for sure, but I’ll be interested to see what you come up with. We’ve been going to a local raw food cafe more frequently, and they serve some of the raw soups at a slightly warm temp along with some warming herb teas, so that helps! I may be off my rocker because I’ve never fasted before and I know winter is not ideal for it, but for health reasons I’m thinking of doing a one week juice fast the first week in March. Last attempt I caved after about 20 hours, and part of that time I was sleeping – lol!
Caleb wrote on February 1, 2010
Good luck. I agree, summer is definitely easier, but warm food cravings kick in big time in the winter. It has been a colder winter here in Texas this year too, thus making it harder. I sadly admit too my coffee cravings are lisping back in, but still managing to keep it to only 3 times a week or less most of the time.
Carla wrote on February 1, 2010
This is so exciting! I am faced with the same challenges where I live and I can not wait to see and sample the new recipes along with you!
Michal wrote on February 1, 2010
Amen to that! I do something similar. I tell myself thats its cold, and that I can eat cooked foods. And then im eating peanut butter crunch bars from my work. Oy! This sounds like a good idea 🙂
Dot D. wrote on February 1, 2010
I think that this is a fine idea. I will try to proceed along with you. I’m waiting for my Excalibur to be delivered any day now, so I’m excited to begin! Best of luck and I look forward to your blogs each day.
bitt wrote on February 1, 2010
hooray for raw food in the winter! it was tough for me with the initial onset of winter but I’ve been doing much better since I reset my intentions. i wish you the best!