The Raw Wednesday Veterans’ Giveaway

Hi all!

Thank you for the impassioned response to yesterday’s post about fats! I am thrilled that this topic struck a chord. It sounds as though many of you have been avoiding or carefully portioning out your healthy fats, and I hope I made a small contribution in helping you to feel more comfortable eating them.

So are you all bummed out that the Raw Wednesday challenge is over? I am: I was really enjoying hearing about your brave adventures with raw meals. So here’s what I’m thinking: let’s not stand on ceremony. I welcome you all to keep the Raw Wednesday tradition going, and I will continue to delight in your experiments. And to those of you who are really getting into the raw meals, I encourage you to keep eating them as often as you like!

I hope that you’ve walked away from the challenge with some food for thought. A bunch of you have emailed me to say how surprising it was to consider how processed some components of your meals really were: it’s kind of incredible, isn’t it, to realize that so many perfectly commendable and healthy foods (whole grain wraps, hummus, coconut milk, oatmeal) are nevertheless at least a step away from nature? (See Michelle’s interesting thoughts on this.) I always like to explain to people that my definition of “raw” foods isn’t so much literal—whether or not heat is employed in preparation—but rather metaphoric—how absolutely unprocessed is your food? Is the food on your plate in its raw state? The “raw” label can mean “natural” just as much as it means “uncooked.”

Whether or not you’re continuing Raw Wednesday, I want to thank everyone who participated with another giveaway! This one is truly special: a gaggle of goodies from my very favorite dining establishment, Pure Food and Wine.

pure-giveaway

My friends Sarma and Amelia have been kind enough to offer one lucky Raw Wednesday veteran a One Lucky Duck totebag full of incredible goodies: a copy of Raw Food, Real World, which is without a doubt my go-to book for raw entertaining; two sets of the infamous Quackers, Rosemary and Cheesy; raw macaroons; raw chocolate chip and gingerbread cookies; and, finally, the brand new honey bunches grawnola bar. I can attest to the incredible tastiness of these treats: I’ve had the Quackers many a time, and adore them. I sampled the grawnola bar right after it came out, and loved it (this from a girl who doesn’t like most raw granola). And since Sarma was generous enough to offer me some of the chocolate chip cookies, too, I can tell you that they’re beyond delicious: it’s like eating a cross between shortbread and chocolate chip cookie dough.

These treats are the ideal way for any newcomer (or expert!) to experience to true potential of gourmet, creative raw un-cooking. So I encourage you all to enter the giveaway! All you have to do is respond to this post with a comment saying one new thing you learned about raw food, the raw lifestyle, or raw health over the course of the Raw Wednesday challenge. I’ll announce the winner next Wednesday. Good luck!

On that note, friends, it’s back to the grind. Have a good one!

xo

P.S. Speaking of giveaways, don’t forget to enter ZestyCook’s blog makeover giveaway!

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    156 Comments
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  2. Hi Gena! I’ve been lurking around this blog for a while, and I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your blog!
    One thing I have learned from you is never to underestimate raw cashews! I was skeptical, but your “cheese” recipes for them have helped me transition to veganism (still a work in progress by the way).
    Anyway, thanks and happy belated birthday!
    Pheebs

  3. I just found out about this! (i was out of town and am trying to catch up on my filled reader). I am reading more and more about raw diet and getting intrigued

  4. If I am not too late, I would like to share that I learned that raw foods are not weird or scary. They do not need to be complicated and you will not suffer through hunger eating raw!

  5. I have been 75% raw for a while and I have found, I never get sick, I fall asleep more quickly and wake up energized, even with less than 7 hours sleep. My skin looks great and I have physically never been more fit in my life. BTW , this did not happen in a month, it took consistency over the course of a few years. Obviuosly, consistency not perfection is the key

  6. Doing the Raw Challenge has really proved to me that what we eat affects the way we feel. I do notice a huge difference on days that I eat raw compared to the other days, which is why I really try to incorporate it as much as i can into my diet 🙂

  7. I have been eating high raw for quite some time now, but Raw Wednesday has definitely reminded me about the importance of finding a community to support you in your endeavors, dietary or not. “Real” raw friends or “cyber” raw friends are just the things we need to keep us going. Thanks Gena for being a huge support to so many of us!

  8. I love feeling more energetic and healthy. And, I am happy to increase the veggie intake, since i can’t really get enough of them!!

  9. i learned that my body craves RAW, whole, nutrient dense food. and it’s OK to give into cravings. yay!

  10. I have learned that your body is like a house that constantly needs to be cleaned – RAW foods act as a group of cleaners who will come in and scrub the floors and wash the windows and the other component to the RAW lifestyle (lymph drainage, body brushing, saunas, etc) act as the people who will help take the garbage out. Never realized the RAW lifestyle is two-fold…until now!

  11. I’ve learned a lot about food combining from your posts, and have also been inspired by your moderate approach to “going raw” – there are too many fanatics out there!

    Thx,
    K

  12. With my journey with raw foods I have learned to be kinder and more understanding with myself, my body and with others. Over the past year or so raw food has brought me to be more aware of important things like factory farming, animal suffering and the production of awful concoctions people call “food”. It has also opened up a wonderful world were amazing and inspiring people reside. Where wonderful recipes and uplifting stories combine, where one line from someone’s blog has literally changed my life and inspired me for months. Raw has taking me to love life more each day, not only for me but for all those I come in contact with, be daily or be it for a minute. Oh! and two more words about raw “Green Smoothies” yummm!

  13. I have learned that, by creating some beautiful raw food for myself, I am not only placing value on my health but my overall being. It feels good to be “worth it”.

  14. I’ve learned that I love green smoothies also that raw foods much me feel so much better.

  15. I’ve learned how much better I feel when I eat mainly raw foods. I get in a lot more fruits and veggies and feel clean & healthy. I’ve been wanting to give those raw snacks a try!

  16. I realized that I have more energy and feel much better when I eat lots of raw veggies. I’ve also learned that I don’t necessarily have to have protein in every meal.

  17. Thank you for the Raw Wednesday challenge, and this wonderful giveaway!

    I learned that good fats can really be good. I didn’t completely avoid them before, but I definitely view them differently now. Thank you very much for your informative post on avocados, and your simple but delicious recipes.

  18. When I first started transitioning toward a raw diet, I was somewhat overwhelmed – how was I going to give up honey bunches of oats and JIF peanut butter?!? I quickly learned, however; making small changes – just incorporating more raw, unprocessed foods into all my meals – was sufficient to take away the desire for my once-treasured processed treats. I felt so good eating raw foods that I no longer wanted anything else. Eating predominantly raw foods made me feel good physically, mentally and emotionally- its wonderful to feel like my health and well-being are within my power to control.

  19. i learned that eating raw is not just salads and juice. i had fun getting creative with my veggies…i made boats out of cucumbers, pasta out of carrots, and smoothies with avocado!

  20. I’ve been learning to take this process slowly (thanks to Gena!) and to not move into a raw diet too quickly. Sometimes taking a step backward isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s great being able to appreciate raw food and being excited to eat it.
    It’s a much more satisfying way of living.

  21. I haven’t formally done the challenge, but I’d like to say that browsing your blog has definitely shown me that a raw meal can be truly satisfying!

  22. Hi Gena!

    A few things that I have learned about eating raw is that it’s not as hard as I thought it would be to eat at least one raw meal a day, and I feel so much better by just adding that one meal in to my daily routine. I have also learned (although I haven’t tried it yet) that sprouting is super easy and inexpensive. That will be my next raw food experiment!

    Have a beautiful day!
    Dayna (HopefulRunner)

  23. Hi Gena :)!
    Raw garlic and onion definitely upset my digestive system too (and omg, even when making your run of the mill non-raw hummus, the usage of raw garlic is waaaaay too gnarly for my mouth, it’s like wasabi status ugh!).

    Something I learned about raw foodism:
    You can make so many entrees that taste almost EXACTLY like the real cooked thing. So, why sacrifice your health and gas bill (to heat things up) when you can simply go raw!

    -Natalie

  24. I am definitely intriqued with the raw food lifestyle! What I like the most about it…is the possible CURE factor! It is with great JOY…that we will soon be working together to decease and assist…with my weight as well! I look forward to seeing and reading about my success with YOU on your blog!

  25. I am so glad that I found your blog a month ago. In that time I have learned that I shouldn’t have to defend my choice to do what feels right for my body. I really appreciate your outspoken support for feeding our bodies with whole raw foods rather than relying on vitamins and supplements to meet our nutritional needs. I am frustrated when people in my life consume a great deal of processed foods and then criticize my “extreme” choices to fuel my body with fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. The raw food wednesdays have helped to create links to more individuals across the blogosphere who believe in the power of food to heal. Thank you for helping me to find those connections.

  26. thanks for hosting this wonderful giveaway! it is such a source of encouragement. i’ve learned that starting my morning with green juice is doing AMAZING things for my energy level and even my reflexes are sharper. I also learned so much about good fats and why it’s beneficial to intake good fats especially when your body is craving for them.

  27. Hey I’m Pheebs and I just started blogging so I haven’t done the Raw Wednesday Challenge, but I just wanted to mention how great an idea I think it is.
    I have been reading a lot about how amazing the live enzymes in raw foods are for your body. I have been trying to incorporate more raw into my life because of it: today a made a raw “cake” (the process and result is pictured on my blog) and I was fairly pleased with the result, so tomorrow I will keep experimenting (I have some garbanzo beans soaking for some raw hummus, and I am going to try one of Angela’s green monsters).
    Anyway, thanks again for the inspiration!

  28. I learned many things this month including the fact that raw meals require me to reevaluate my satiety levels. I am guessing this is because I am eating more volume than usual, and because “fullness” feels different when you are not stuffed. I haven’t figured it all out yet– this is certainly a work in progress– but it was one of the first things I noticed when upping my raw intake.

    Thanks for all the info and the fancy Sarmalicious opportunity, Gena!

  29. Hey there!

    On my raw food journey, I have learned that my body is ever changing and requires different foods and eating styles at different times for different reasons. What fun! The best thing I can do is honor what my body is telling me at any given time by giving it the best food I know of according to my body’s signals. So needless to say, it has been a mind trip to come to this conclusion with all the rules, guidelines,do’s and don’ts one finds when embarking on this lifestyle. I have learned that experimentation and fun make for grace and ease, and lots of good fats! This body loves fat! : )

  30. With raw foods and shifting to a high raw diet, I have learned the real power of using whole foods to heal our bodies. My mood is better, I have more energy, my skin is clear, and my eyes look clearer. I feel so much better physically and mentally and I especially love experimenting with different recipes. I have been juicing almost every day and using my food processor to make my own zucchini hummus, almond butter, and more! Thank you, Gena for your inspiration and wisdom.

  31. I learned that cucumbers and I aren’t as strong enemies as I used to think.

    I learned that I can eat nuts without gaining seventeen pounds.

    I learned that my dad was right about sprouts being tasty.

    I learned that sometimes you don’t need to buy all the dehydrators and the spiralizers and the nut milk bags to eat raw and have tasty enjoyable meals.

  32. I have learned of the joy of eating fresh with the season. My thoughts during my raw meals were often of the farmers (often local) that grew my food and how thankful I am for their hard work.

    Eating raw to me was being present with the food and ENJOYING it!

    Many thanks, Gena and Jenna!

  33. I have learned that my body knows what it needs and that I just need to listen! I have learned that I have a lot to learn…from so many, especially people who have been doing this much longer than I (Natalia – thank you! Kris Carr – thank you! Bunny Berry – Thank you! And mostly to Gena – deep bows of gratitude!) Oh how I wish I could have you all as my next door neighbors, to lean over the fence and swap “raw recipes” and give each other high-fives for raw-attitude! Alas, I’m alone in Littleton, Co….thank you to everyone! I have learned to be thankful and grateful =)
    Namaste,
    Becky

  34. I’ve learned through Raw food is that I don’t “need” meat protein. I did a little experiment not eating meat and only getting my protein through beans, powders and other raw food for two weeks, and I felt great. I always believed I “needed” meat, when really I don’t.

  35. I’ve learned that my daily Super Green Smoothies can kill my need for coffee. I’ve learned that a High Speed Mixer is the best invention ever! I’ve learned that Nut Cheeses can help my craving for the real thing. I’ve learned that coconuts rock! I’ve learned that I do not need to be perfect. Just the fact that I am commited to make raw vegan foods a priority in my diet is a massive accomplishment! Aloha:-)

  36. i have learned that green juice and/or green smoothies are not that difficult to make or drink.
    i actually LOVE them!!!!!! i have also learned that i have an enormous amount of energy eating this way.

  37. I’ve learned that changes we make to our lives that seem small (such as changing how we eat one day a week) can make a lasting and amazing difference in our quality of life in the long run.

    Or to quote the awsome band Ida –
    “Little things pile up and turn into bigger things
    And I want you to notice this
    And I want you to try”

  38. I have learned that I have so much energy when I drink a freshly made green juice every morning. I have come to crave the taste of greens. I have also learned that a daily green juice makes my skin glow and clears up my acne!

  39. I have learned that the more effort and consciousness I put into including raw/high-raw food into my diet, the less conscious and more effortless it becomes…the food makes me feel great and I sincerely crave it now instead of craving sugary and carb-heavy things like I have in the past.

  40. I learned that not only is my bodys craving for whole good fats valid but should be respected. When I am craving coconut milk or avacados I should respect that and not shy away from the good fats. Our brains and bodies work better and heal better when we pay attention to them. Thanks for the fabulous post. Callie

  41. Hi Gena!
    I have experimented more with my green smoothie combos, been inspired to start sprouting again and found that I am really loving green juice.

    I used to not have the patience to wash tons of veggies and take the time to juice them but now that I have been doing it more consistently, I find that I crave plant blood and it makes me feel rejuvenated and light!! I think it helps me tummy too 🙂 I feel so fresh!! Thanks for hosting Raw Wednesday and for this giveaway.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

  42. I actually take a lot of flack for the avocados i eat..i eat one a day… love them, feel so great eating them and despite their price, (in California)..will continue. it started during pregnancy and now i’ve just continued.

    i’ve tippie toed into raw before and now I am diving in. I meant to work towards a vegan diet and now I am heading raw.
    I love the journey and what it teaches me about ME.

    Raw food also teaches us so much about our relationships with food, and why we eat… for entertainment, boredom, socializing… it’s amazing

    and I too am struggling with what my body agrees with and disagrees with.

    i REALLY love your blog and the wonderful and helpful information you provide.

    I am a new reader and will definately be back for more posts.

    Thanks

  43. I have learned that I actually like green smoothies and therefore have made one every day since I have started this journey, about a month now. I have learned that I like the way I feel following a mostly raw diet and I am not craving junk food and I am losing weight the healthy way. I have found that all the blogs I am reading where they have chosen to “try” raw are wanting to continue at least one day a week. Wouldn’t it be great to have drive thru green smoothie shops all over town rather than other unnamed golden arch shops?

  44. I’ve learned that avocados don’t have to be avoided or consumed very rarely just because of their fat content.

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