If you’re thinking about beginning a plant-based lifestyle, congrats! I can personally attest to how amazing it makes you feel. AH-MAZE-ANG! For anyone who is new to it, my biggest and best advice is to take it slow! This is not a “diet” – this is a change in lifestyle, not a race to the finish line. Here are some tips that may help you along the way:
Incremental Change
Being the Type A personality that I am, it took me quite some time to realize that I did not have to jump into raw foods 100% at the start. The benefits of changing even one meal to raw have been touted over and over again. For example: if you have a raw food smoothie for breakfast (see this delicious raw smoothie recipe video I did!), a salad and baked potato for lunch, and whatever you want for dinner… that’s 50% of your meals that you ate raw! If you begin to eat this way – and then eat clean for the rest of your meals – you will surely reap the benefits and see major changes in your inner and outer health and appearance.
It’s EASY!
To those who say to me, “Going raw is so hard!” I say, “Really? How hard is it to pick up a banana?”
All those gourmet recipes you see people creating? You do not have to start out with that! Incorporating more raw foods into your meals is as simple as peeling an orange! Breakfast? Lots of fruit! Snack? Raw bell peppers and raw hummus! Dinner? A huge helping of kale salad (Mmmmmm… KALE SALAD! So delicious! Check out this video about how to make it). It does NOT have to be complicated, I promise!
Saving Money
Which costs more… filet mignon or fresh mango? I’m just sayin’. It’s all about perspective.
Some say that it’s too expensive to go raw. While Whole Foods aisles can be truly blissful, no one says you need to shop there all the time! There are amazing cost-saving options that can help: Asian markets have amazing, inexpensive produce. Wal-Mart has organic fruits and veggies for less. Farmers markets give you access to local growers and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture – a great way to buy food in bulk and in season directly from farmers!)
Equipment
Dehydrators, Vitamixes, lemon zesters… WHAT?!? Most people believe that going raw will cost thousands of dollars in equipment alone! The truth, however, is that you don’t need all this stuff to get started. A blender, a good cutting knife and a cutting board is all you need. Will you eventually buy more as you begin to experiment with different raw recipes? Sure, and you should look forward to that! For now, however, do not let the price tags of these toys defer you. Start simple and grow from there.
Experiment
Here’s the BEST thing about plant-based living… you get to play with your food!
Have you ever tried mulberries? Lychees? Dragonfruit? Asparagus? Nori? Well, now’s the time. All those fruits and veggies that you’ve been wondering about? Try them! Experiment! Branch out and see what produce you like. See what you DON’T like (so you know for future reference). Check out raw recipes on YouTube. Go to the library and check out raw food books.
Eat. Play. Love!
Questions, comments, things to add? Feel free to post them below!
Hi Carla – Girl you are so beautiful inside and out! I was introduced and inspired of going raw since April, 2011. I have been reading and trying to breath anything related to raw food! I came across your videos 2 days ago and have been hooked! Thank you so much…you are so inspriational!! This is my first juice fast and I am day 14! I have more questions….please e-mail me.
Hey doll! Great to meet you and congrats on the 14 days!!! Tell you what… if you have more questions, feel free to message me on Facebook. If you go to http://facebook.com/rawrawlife, that’s where you’ll find me hanging out. I answer questions both on the page and via private message. Happy to help!
Hi Carla, I have now replaced two meals per day with either a smoothie or a juice and am now into the habit of having fish for dinner with steamed vegetables. I am just wondering however what you opinion is on soya milk? I use the alpro light brand. I have been reading it contains fat clenching hormones like eastrogen? Is this really true? I have a few more questions too if you have any more time?
Best Wishes
Ellie
Hey Eleanor! I, for one, don’t drink soy milk. I have a friend who had a drastically negative reaction to drinking soy over the course of many years, and that scared the stuffings out of me. I make my own almond milk – it’s easy as heck, raw, nutrient filled, and works great as the base for my smoothies. I’m not saying that YOU shouldn’t drink it, as it’s totally up to you. For me, though? Nah.
More questions? Bring ‘em on!
How long will something I make stay good (using blender)? A lot if recipes call for a lot more than a one-serving drink. If I put the rest in the fridge in the morning/evening will it still be good the next morning/evening?
Yep, it will! Just throw it through the blender again.
doing a raw diet can be dangerous to some. What about the Protein and other things are body needs? can U help me with that?
The amino acids in produce (especially leafy green veggies) are the building blocks for protein in the body, so the whole “not enough protein on raw” argument doesn’t hold water. The ONLY nutrient not readily available through a raw diet is vitamin B-12, and that’s why they make supplements. A raw diet is GREAT for the body!