Rawmazing Update and Questions Answered
Butternut Squash Medley from the upcoming, “Rawmazing Holiday Recipes”
Just a quick Friday update to let you know what is happening around Rawmazing. I have been crazy busy in the kitchen, working on the Holiday E-Book! And I have to tell you, I think I have out-done myself. Every recipe in the book could be served to non-raw people and they would never know it was raw, and healthy! I am making sure you know how many days ahead you have to start a recipe (ie. if soaking is needed) and many of the recipes are convertable. Meaning that they can be served either completely raw or with the addition of other very healthy ingredients, can turn into a semi-raw recipe that is a little more hearty for people who are used to cooked food.
Frequently Asked Raw Questions
I thought I would take a minute to answer some raw food questions that seem to come up repeatedly. Also, I would like fill you in on a few things that will make navigating the site easier, and clear up a few things about subscribing.
1. Is there a substitution for fresh young coconut. I wish I could say, yes…just rehydrate dried coconut. But it just doesn’t work. Dried coconut comes from mature coconuts. The flesh is hard and tough. Young coconut has a soft, easily blend-able flesh. Coconut is a great way to lighten up a nut heavy dessert. I have tried soaking dried coconut and putting it in the high-speed blender but I just was not happy with the results. You can try to find canned coconut flesh at Asian markets. It has the same consistency and works. You might be challenged to find one that is not sweetened. They often carry frozen coconut flesh, too.
2. Can I make this if I don’t have a dehydrator? This has to be the most frequently asked question on this site. Yes, you can make all of the recipes on the site in an oven set on a very low temperature. But, they won’t be raw. On the other hand, they will be much healthier than recipes laden with cream, butter, sugar, etc. So, you need to make the decision. And you will have to do the experimenting as I am presenting the raw version.
3. Where can I find __________ (you fill in the blank). You might not have seen it but there is a super handy search box on the right side of the site, right under the subscription form. You can put in a word or an ingredient and the recipes and posts will come up. Searching archives is also a good way to quickly go through the site.
4. What is the difference between RSS subscriptions and Aweber subscriptions? The RSS is a feed. If you subscribe through the RSS feed, you will only get notifications when a new blog post is up. If you subscribe through Aweber, you will get emails directly from me. I am trying to keep them limited as to not overwhelm your inboxes. I plan on expanding the emails in the new year to take on more of a newsletter form. The Aweber form is the green form on the right with the veggies.
I would love to hear from you in the comment section…what are your raw food questions?
Now…back to the kitchen!!
Cynthia wrote on October 12, 2013
I am so happy to find this page. I have left questions on other pages but then I get lost on your site and can’t remember where I left them!
So I have asked this question somewhere else. Sorry for the duplication. Have you ever tried Stevia as a sweetener? I have eaten dried leaves from a plant and also used the liquid form and found them quite sweet. What your thoughts on this?
jani wrote on December 8, 2010
Sarah,
Just found your website. All your raw foods, tips & ideas are awesome. It will be a great adventure uncooking.
Question: Your sweet pototo fries…What do you use to cut them into strips trying to use a knife is almost immposible to cut through them. Would an electric knife work?
Appreciate your sharing with everyone.
Jani
Susan wrote on December 8, 2010
I just use a good, sharp che’s knife.
Randahl wrote on November 24, 2010
@ Sarah Mendenhall:
How much sugar do you consume daily? Total, fruit sugars included…There’s some new research coming out that excess amounts of fructose (present in added sugars and the main sugar in fruit, honey, maple and agave syrup) can cause a whole host of problems, including gaining and keeping excess weight. I second the opinions that you need to exercise, preferably weight-bearing (walking, jogging, weight-lifting, situps, anything where you ‘bear weight’)…
But I would check out Dr. Richard Johnson’s studies with fructose, and maybe try cutting back your fruit servings to a couple (1/2 cup servings) a day for a month and see if that works…of course, do the research yourself before undertaking any diet change!
But I read a book of his that goes fairly in depth with the science of it all which impresses me more than anything (I have great interest in nutrition and the bio-chemistry of it all) and the research sounds sound (no pun intended). It’s also peer reviewed 🙂
Sarah Mendenhall wrote on November 22, 2010
Dot D. – I walk 2 miles at least 3 times a week and I just started incorporating a mile walk run on the tread mill. Maybe I need something more intense? I have either dehydrated buckwheat cereal or a green smoothie for breakfast. I know I don’t eat enough salads 🙁 Thanks!
Dot D. wrote on November 22, 2010
Sarah – is there any exercise in your daily routine? Are you eating several times a day because you’re hungry? Do you incorporate enough green leafy vegetables in your day? I’ve found that a green smoothie each morning and a salad for lunch helps me lose weight and keep me satisfied. Then I go to yoga class twice a week and walk the dog another day for exercise.
Kira wrote on November 21, 2010
Susan, thanks for offering to answer questions….
Are there veggies we shouldn’t eat raw? Or do you know of a good resource along those lines?
For example, I read that raw sweet potatoes contain trypsin and are best cooked (I don’t know how accurate that is fyi). I am not opposed to some cooked foods in my diet so I’d like to maximize the best of both worlds but stick to mainly raw. So far my body seems to be the happiest raw. Thank you! Kira