Friday Giveaway: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food “Detox”
By Gena Hamshaw on
January 27, 2012
(last updated April 29, 2014)

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Happy Friday! Nice responses to yesterday’s Vitamin-rich juice. I am so glad you all enjoyed the recipe. Today, I’m switching gears to offer you a Friday giveaway for two copies of the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food “Detox” (quotations mine).

I was offered copies of this book by Adam Graham, a wildly talented raw foods chef. I immediately said yes, please—a copy for me and one for one of my readers. Adam generously obliged, and made me the recipient of two copies of the book.

I was a little trepidatious when I first heard this book’s title: though I was once as influenced by the concept of “detox” as are most newbie raw foodists (including the years in which I started this blog), I gradually came to believe that the expression is overused and often misunderstood. People talk about “detox” without specifying the precise biological pathways by which they think it’s happening. Rather than defining the process biologically, they treat it as a mystical, unknowable, mysterious phenomenon that is specifically tied to raw food. For this reason—and because I have yet to fully explore and gather evidence for the idea of “detox” as it relates to what we eat—I’m incredibly wary of the word, and try not to use it sloppily.

When I received The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox, I was immediately impressed with the awesome recipes. These include many useful recipes for blended smoothies and juices, which are a mainstay of mine during busy student days. The desserts and snacks are likewise delicious and often very ingenious. So I recommend the book heartily for its food! Note, however (it’s clear in the photo below) that bee pollen and honey appear in the book. So, if you’re vegan, you’ll want to modify with agave or maple syrup in those places.

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I will confess that I was less impressed by some of the health writing, which emphasizes “cleansing,” “detox,” and acid/alkaline balance without enough scientific support for my liking. It’s a great compendium of many of the theories about health that abound in the raw community, but they simply aren’t theories that speak to me any longer (of course, a lot of the information does speak to me—for instance, the parts about nutrient density, freshness, non-GMO foods, organic produce, and so on). Ultimately, I’d recommend the guide first as a resource for great raw recipes, and second as a good primer in raw foods theory. But since I’ve read up on the theory a lot already, I am going to offer both copies to two lucky Choosing Raw readers, and encourage them to draw their own conclusions about the health info therein.

To enter this giveaway to win one copy of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox, you can do any of the below. Each action counts as a separate entry, so please leave a comment for each action you complete!

  1. Leave a comment, telling me what you hope to get out of this reading experience.
  2. Tweet about this giveaway, being sure to include a link to the giveaway post.
  3. Follow me on Twitter.
  4. Like Choosing Raw on Facebook.
  5. Like The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox on Facebook.
  6. Mention this giveaway in a blog post.

You have until next Friday to enter the giveaway. Good luck!!!

What are you all up to this weekend? Good things, I hope.

xo

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    295 Comments

  2. With this book, I would probably use the recipes to help myself recover from anorexia, as I am doing so now.

    Though with or without the book, your blog will always remain my #1 go-to raw recipe catalog! 😉

    Reply

  4. I would LOVE to win this book. I am totally fascinated with raw foods and the amazing health benefits. Right now I am listening to Rapalooza. Eight days of raw food interviews and I am loving it. Thanks!

    Reply

  7. I found your information in an Oprah magazine and it has changed my life. Since I have started reading your blog and making your recipes, I feel so renewed. At 53, my health and to stay healthy for myself and two grandchildren is of utmost important. Thank you for your helping to learn and keep healthier.

    Reply

  8. Oh more recipes!!!! I just discovered your blog a few weeks and have been going through your archive of awesome concoctions (the zucchini dressing and sweet potato hummus are ridiculously good and easy to make)….I would love this book of course, but thanks regardless for making the vegan transition easier, healthier, and yummier 🙂

    Reply

  15. I have always been curious about a Raw Foods diet, but haven’t made the plunge…’Idiot’s guide’ might have my name all over it 🙂

    Reply

  16. I’m in week two of a gradual detox from meat, dairy, sugar and processed foods. I would love to win the book so I can try some new recipes! 🙂

    Reply

  17. I “liked” The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox on facebook too! 🙂

    Reply

  20. Already being familiar with the raw food “theories” I would love it for the recipes (the one you photographed sounds delish!) Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

    Reply

  21. I would like the book for new raw food recipes. I just started doing a raw breakfast, lunch, and snacks and I’m running out of ideas!

    Reply

  24. I would love to win a copy of this book! I feel that, no matter how many raw foods and nutrition books I read, I always learn something new with each one. I’m looking forward to discovering that something in this book. Thank you for the giveaway!

    Reply

  25. I’d love to read your take on acidic/alkaline balance in our bodies! I know you’ve stepped away from food combining, which was great news. <3

    Reply

  30. gena!!!!!!!!!!!! you are just too cute! and I might have gone ABOVE and BEYOND the 1-of-5 and done ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL … so you’re on my blog post and on my twitter, facebook etc. 😀 and I am going to the beach this weekend with my aunt! winter beach in NC is the best! stay tuned for LOTS of photo shootin’ photos!

    Reply

  31. I would like to read this book to learn more about raw food preparation and how to incorporate more produce into my diet. Tasty recipes should do the trick 😉

    Reply

  37. I’d like to win because as I pre-med student, I too am skeptical of the word detox. However, many concepts that are scientifically proven today were mystical decades ago, so it is still interesting to read up on.

    Reply

  38. I’m a brand new mom and looking for easy yet really healthy foods to get me through my busy nursing days. Somedays all I get is a toasted bagel for 6 hours due to my little man and would love some raw recipes for idiots (hopefully meaning they are simple to make). This book looks like it would be perfect for me!

    Reply

  44. I have dived head first back into the raw/vegan lifestyle and have brought my family along due to a medical emergency — I hope to be a sponge and keep learning so I’m never lost for words when they challenge me on something!

    Reply

  45. I eat a ton of fruit and vegetables already but I’d love to push myself towards a higher raw diet, I will have to check this book out either way!

    Reply

  47. I follow you on Twiiter:) And, I would just like to add that I’m appreciative of your balanced summary of the book. (You don’t always get this from bloggers – not knocking anyone – just an observation.) I’d really like to expand my raw food knowledge, and would this book!

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  50. I love cookbooks in the first place, plus I’ve been interested in more raw foods lately!

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  51. I am vegan, but do not follow a raw diet. I am interested in learning more, which is why I enjoy your blog. You make it look so simple! A book on raw diets would help me learn the basics.

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  52. Hi Gena,

    Like you, I was very excitable about the idea of “detoxing” during my first couple of years with raw foods. I was very disappointed that nothing “detoxy” happened after a year of nothing BUT. I became bitter towards the raw food movement after being so dedicated and not really seeing any new health benefits. (I actually gained 15 lbs which… sucked. Hah!) But your site has slowly eased me back into the raw foods world and helped me see that I don’t have to be so extreme to receive benefits of nutrient rich foods. Now, I like reading new books and blogs just to grow my knowledge base and maybe find a fun recipe I can enjoy now and again. It’s a lot less pressure, I have to say. Thanks for all of your honesty and great writing!

    Reply

  56. I am a High School English teacher in Canada, who is often the willing brunt of good-natured teasing about my raw food lifestyle from colleagues who refer to my “Twigs and Dirt Diet”. This book would allow me to rightfully confess myself as a “Complete Idiot” and satisfy their need to mock me 🙂 and my need to collect untold numbers of uncooking books.

    Reply

  59. Thank you for this giveaway, I would love to have a copy of this book! I’ll be mentioning it in my blog on Sparkpeople, and I’ll also “like” you on Facebook!

    Reply

  60. I like The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox on facebook also!!
    This is so interesting, I would love to learn more and try new recipes!
    Ana

    Reply

  63. As a healthy eater and nutritionist to be (completing my masters in nutrition right now!) this truly interests me. Sounds like there are some interesting information, plus I love new recipes and learning more about the different subjects related to nutrition.
    Ana

    Reply

  65. I “liked” The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox on Facebook .

    I really could use this book as I am determined to learn more and make more raw recipes.

    Reply

  69. I have recently given up meat for various reasons. My wife and I are on a new found journey to eating raw and abandoning out bad habits of toxic food. I am currently reading a few nutrition books purchased for me by family members and am serious about this life change. However, I seem to be quite the idiot on how to put together all these wonderful tasting foods.
    I am currently completing my degree that has nothing to do with food or health. However, I hope when I graduate in May to take a very deep look into health and nutrition and may begin studies for a license in nutrition or go back to school to add it on. Therefore, while this is a book with some questionable standards of health as you point out it is certainly something I would love to check out to grow my database of raw recipes. Thank you for your posts, they certainly are helping me and my wife make some great changes in our life together.

    Reply

  72. I did the detox that yuo led in 2010 and enjoyed it very much, but for some reason I haven’t stuck to “cleanses” I’ve done on my own. I am fully vegan, but the recipes sound exciting. Seeing as it is a beginner’s book I can see why there isn’t much science behind it, but I would also like to try to cleanse again because it does feel good and I feel mentally cleansed as well. Thanks Gena!

    Reply

  74. I need to learn to detox the right way, without giving up so easily and great recipes would do the trick. I NEVER win anything, though, so I guess I’ll eventually buy the book.

    Reply

  75. My husband and I tried a 3 day juice fast earlier this month. We only made it 2 days! I think we would have fared better with a raw foods “detox” and I would love to learn more about incorporating more raw foods into our diets.

    Reply

  76. I would love to win this book! I work out everyday and I have a healthy BMI, but I don’t have the best eating habits. My husband is over 400lb, and needs to shake up his diet, too. I think this would be a tremendous help

    Reply

  87. I would love to start eating more natural foods. I’d have no problem doing it. I just am not creative and have no idea where to start. This book seems amazing! 🙂

    Reply

  89. Definitely wanting to incorporate more raw food recipes into my diet!! I follow you on twitter and tweeted 🙂

    Reply

  90. I’m interested in reading more about raw food theory, actually. I haven’t always been very convinced about some of the “detox” claims either, but I have lately become more interested in reading deeper. I’m not a scientist, but reading from lots of different sources would hopefully help make up my mind better about these claims.

    Reply

  93. I’m just looking for more usable recipes. I’m still not 100% raw, and I’m not yet to the point where I can experiment on my own.

    Reply

  94. I already like you on fb… also liked The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Raw Food Detox on Facebook.

    I;ve been dabbling with the whole raw/vegan diet the past month or two… but have yet to dive into the deep end. A book like this would definitely help educate me and give me a push in that direction 🙂

    Reply

  97. I would LoVe to win this. I would love an really need some ideas on what to eat an I get overwhelmed a lot and then will a lot if the time skip important meals.

    I love you and the book on Facebook and twitter already:)

    Reply

  98. i have similar apprehensions about the word “detox”, but i can put that aside because what im really looking for is more knowledge about the more rare raw foods. superfoods are super for a reason right?
    once i saw bee pollen in that recipe pictured i knew i had to read up on it and figure out what it tastes like, how to use it, etc.
    im always looking to expand my food repertoire, and its easy to do so with you as my inspiration gena.
    thanks for the giveaway.

    Reply

    • Elise,

      You’re welcome, but this comment reminds me to tell readers that this is not a Vegan book, and that vegans havve to modify around the bee products. Will edit after class 🙂

      G

      Reply

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