Raw Food and Menu Planning
I often get asked if I have a 7 day menu plan for a raw food diet. I don’t. And there is a pretty good reason for that. I don’t like planning. I am of of those creative types that can get a little claustrophobic if things are too scheduled. It reminds me of weight watchers where I had to measure every drop of food I ate. Yes, I lost weight but my brain finally blew up from the tedium. And the minute I stopped counting and measuring, the weight came back on.
Which brings me to the joy of raw food. I don’t have to weigh and measure. I don’t have to plan everything out. I just have to keep an eye out for balance which is pretty darn easy to do when you are eating such healthy food. That said, we all know that eating a raw food diet does take a little planning. Nuts need to be soaked, some raw food recipes need to be dehydrated. We need to shop for ingredients! But that can be easy. I am going to give you a few suggestions on how to create out your own menu.
First, you need to figure out how you eat. Are you a strict three meal a day person or a grazer? Do you need healthy snacks around? Do you need a little something to satisfy your sweet tooth? Take a couple of minutes and write down the way you would like to be eating.
Now, you just have to fill in the blanks. Head over to the recipe index, you can find it here: Rawmazing Recipe Index. The recipes are divided into sections. Go through, and see what appeals to you. From there, you can make your shopping lists and also do your planning. I often will sit down with a piece of paper divided into 7 columns, one for each day of the week. Then I start dropping in the recipes I want to make and work backwards. If I know I want to have a dehydrated cracker for Thursday, I check soaking and dehydration time and then make a note to start it on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Having a well stocked pantry is extremely helpful. You can get my pantry list simply by subscribing to the mailing list using the green box on the right. Having the basic ingredients on hand eliminates one more step between you and healthy eating. Tossing raw food recipes together becomes almost effortless.
One tip I have used before is to make sure you start your next batch of crackers or flat bread before the one you currently have is gone. That way you can have a continual supply.
Raw food is easy. I spend so much less time in the kitchen than I did when I ate a traditional diet. With just a little planning, you can get into a beautiful pattern and have plenty of good, raw food on hand.
Contest Winner!
This week’s contest winner is Michelle, who’s word was “patience”. All winners are chosen with a random number generator. I have sent you an email letting you know and requesting your address. Congratulations, you will love the DVD.
Susan wrote on December 13, 2010
Beth…I suppose that does sound funny…but I honestly don’t fill it all in…only when I know I want something that is going to take a few days to turn around and I will need it on a specific day. And right now, there wouldn’t be a sheet like that to be found… 🙂
Beth wrote on December 13, 2010
hi Susan — I had to laugh when you say you’re not a planner but then you create a sheet with 7 columns on it for each day 🙂 I’m working on a book about “food rhythm” which I started because I realized the “rhythm of raw food” was the thing that I was struggling with the most — I love your ideas for grazing (that’s me) and would love to see a sample of your sample columns for one random week if you wouldn’t mind sharing! 🙂 thanks for this great website and wonderful books — you are so talented!!!
Caleb wrote on December 13, 2010
I’m not much of a planner either, but my wife is. We also have a strict budget now too. She is doing al our meal planning. Although I need to convince her to add more raw foods 🙂 We did enjoy a great semi raw pizza last night. The crust was cooked sprouted chickpeas!
Denise wrote on December 13, 2010
Thanks for your advise. I do agree. I’ve been raw for almost 3 years now and Ive learned to feed my body when it calls for food. I always eat or drink a light breakfast but almost always after lunch, that it for me for the day. My body does not require more. Always great advise from you is vital. Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!
Brandy wrote on December 13, 2010
Another good blog entry. Congrats, Michelle!
Susan wrote on December 13, 2010
Thanks so much for the comment. Your comments really do mean a lot to me…good to know I am connecting and that you are getting something out of what I am offering! 🙂
Naraleska wrote on December 13, 2010
Hello Susan, thank you so much for this helpful info. I am a mother of 3. In my last pregnancy I discovered a sugar intolerance, which completely transformed my life as I have a sweet tooth :). All of the sudden I could not have sugar, oh my what I am going to do now? I thought hehehe. That is how I discovered the world of raw, since then I am exploring and exploring, trying things out in the kitchen. I still have thousands of questions and in need of lots of help. This last post of yours is very helpful! Thank you for providing so much info in all your recipes. I just discovered your website some weeks ago and I really like it. hugs to you
Ellen wrote on December 12, 2010
Congrats Michelle!