It's going to be my 30th birthday next month (born in 1982), and I have to say that I feel great about it!

My husband tells me that I look better now than in years gone by, and I choose to believe him :) Losing those extra pounds through raw foods has certainly helped define my face and let the real me shine through. I've been 100% raw for about 5 years now, and I feel fabulous. Clear skin, high energy, at my ideal weight, no mood swings, etc. I feel like a different person now.

And let me tell you, exercise actually turns into FUN when you are not lugging around extra pounds. It's so much easier to move and be active when you're lighter. So it's kind of a catch 22 when you are heavy though.

Accepting You Today, But At Your Best

Now, I doubt that I will look as good as Mimi Kirk at 72 but she sure is setting a fabulous example to strive toward. Long hair looks great at any age when done right. I am not convinced that she hasn't had work done, but who knows? Who cares? She looks great :)

I hope to age gracefully and accept the changes that occur, but also to do my best to look my best, like keep off extra pounds and keep my mental health well too by taking care of myself both mentally and physically. Plus, I am trying to be a little trendier with fashion lately since I've been stuck in a rut living in the past with my clothing for the past decade.

I've also gotten clear, removable braces on my teeth (called Invisalign) this year to straighten them--I am about halfway through the dental treatment. I've always wanted to have straighter teeth and I thought, "Why not?" I thought I would feel weird as an "adult" with braces, but most people don't notice and/or couldn't be bothered to care.

What Other People Think

One of the most useful truths in life that I've learned is that everyone is so wrapped up in their own lives that they actually don't take much time to think about what other people are wearing or doing. Think about it. When you are at a party wondering, "Who should I talk to? Is my dress okay? Is my pimple noticeable?" Well, everyone else is thinking the same thing about themselves. So very few people are actually paying attention to other people in the same way that we pay attention to ourselves. :)

How do you feel about your age and how you look in it? Have raw foods helped you feel younger? Or do you really want to make a change to help you feel better about yourself?

Who doesn’t love to have their favorite recipes made more convenient and easier to get to? Information right at your fingertips is a good thing! Get The Rawtarian's raw food recipes and meal plans on your smart phone or tablet. Planning and deciding what raw vegan dish to prepare next is a lot easier with my handy mobile apps. You no longer have to browse the internet and go to the website to look for a recipe, and you don’t have to print all those raw food recipes anymore. I now have two raw food apps that squeeze all your favorite raw food delights as well as some very useful meal plans into your trusty mobile device. 

The Rawtarian's Raw Recipes Mobile App

If you’re always looking for new raw vegan dishes to prepare or keep going back to the website for those particular recipes you’re so fond of, now you can just bring with you all your much loved Rawtarian recipes. The Raw Recipes Mobile App includes over 100 of the best simple and satisfying raw recipes from TheRawtarian.com.

It’s very handy and easy to use. The app provides great features for a hassle-free experience. There’s a shopping list with a checklist to help you organize your raw food needs. It allows you to bookmark raw recipes for quick access and has a useful search tool to help you look for recipes by ingredient. All the recipes also includ high-quality photos in full color which you can zoom in and out. The app even has its own built-in comment feature where you can browse and add comments to know what other users think. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the Raw Recipes Mobile App, you don’t need to be connected to the internet to get full access to the application. Also, the app itself keeps up to date with the newest recipes when it’s online to keep your raw food recipes list growing.

The Raw Recipes Mobile App has been purchased more than 12,000 times and has over 60 five-star reviews in the App Store and on Google Play.

The Rawtarian's Raw Meal Plans Mobile App

Do you sometimes hit a wall when deciding what raw dish to prepare for dinner? Planning the next raw meal of the day can be a bit of a challenge sometimes, especially when you’re just starting out on your raw food journey. My Raw Meal Plans Mobile App is your best buddy that will help you decide which yummy raw vegan dish graces your table next.

From 7-day raw challenges for beginners to 28-day raw challenges for intermediate raw fooders, this app is a reliable raw meal planner that guides you through each meal of each day and takes the weight of decision-making from your shoulders. Newbies and even long-time raw foodies alike love this app. It contains different well-detailed meal plans of more than a hundred simple and delicious raw food recipes for breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner and dessert. It also has a lot of handy and fun features such as organized shopping lists, user comments, gorgeous raw food photos, private notes on recipes, and more. You don’t even need internet access to use the app once it’s been downloaded to your mobile device! Just start your plan and let the app take care of the rest.

Excited for your next raw food adventure yet? Why not get these awesome apps on your Apple or Android device right now. No need to print the recipes and no need to trouble yourself with decision making any longer. Simply download my Raw Recipes Mobile App and Raw Meal Plans Mobile App from iTunes or Google Play and enjoy the amazing sources of raw food ideas for your next raw indulgence anytime.

Get started right now

Not sure which app is right for you? Start with my Raw Recipes app right now!

A group of friends, a good movie (or board game!) and a selection of chocolate goodies: it doesn't get much better!

Here's a great idea...

Why not invite your pals to a chocolate-fest? Show them just how scrumptious raw chocolate treats can be! 

Add a few extras...

Include some fresh fruit as the perfect chocolate go-with. Grapes, pineapple chunks, strawberries: all good! 

Hmm, I think I'm going to have to invite some friends over real soon!

Raw food substitution lists are integral to your raw food kitchen.

Here is a raw food substitution list that you may find comes in handy.

It's preferable to have everything on your raw food diet shopping list before you attempt to make a recipe. But of course sometimes substitutions are necessary because you might not have all the right raw food ingredients on hand.

I almost always substitute cashews for macadamia nuts (and vice versa) depending on what's on sale at my local health food store. For example, I've made raw alfredo sauce and raw mayonnaise with both cashews or macadamia nuts because both nuts are very creamy and oily. If interested in nut  substitutions you may also find this podcast about nut substitutions useful.

Please let me know if you have any substitution tips.

Raw food substitution list

• 1 tablespoon agave nectar = 1 tablespoon honey (not vegan) = 1 tablespoon medjool dates (but not all recipes can use dates instead  - depends on the recipe)
• 1 tablespoon hemp oil = 1 tablespoon cold pressed olive oil
• 1 vanilla bean = 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon cocoa = 1 teaspoon carob powder
• 1 cup walnuts = 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup cashews = 1 cup macadamia nuts
• 1 tablespoon Nama Shoyu = 1 tablespoon Braggs Liquid = 1 tablespoon soy sauce (not raw)
• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds = 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon fresh herbs = 1/2 tablespoon dried herbs

I hope you have found these raw food substitutions useful. Please add comments below and I'll update this list periodically.

What is it about desserts? No matter how healthy, raw, or vegan we are, most of us still crave desserts! Good thing going raw doesn't mean going without scrumptious sweets!

Frozen raw desserts are a snap to make and handy to whip out of the freezer when a craving hits (or guests arrive!). All of these desserts must be frozen as they contain coconut oil. Coconut oil is liquidy/soft in its warm state, but totally hardens in its frozen state. This is why all these desserts must be kept in the freezer.

So without further ado, here is a round-up of some of my favorite frozen raw desserts...

Raw Chocolate Cherry Fudge Cake

Ooh-la-la. Yes, this is as dreamy as it sounds. Chocolate and cherries combine for a tres decadent dessert. If you want to impress (yourself or whoever!), try this Raw Chocolate Cherry Fudge Cake!

While this dessert looks fancy-schmancy, it's requires only a blender. Super easy!

Raw Chocolate Shortbread Bars

Yes, you can go totally raw, and indulge in shortbread, too! These Raw Chocolate Shortbread Bars take shortbread to a whole new level with the zingy addition of lemon! Cashews, coconut and dates form the base for the bars. Cocao, coconut oil and cashews make for a yummy chocolate-y topping.

These bars are perfect to keep on hand in the freezer for unexpected visitors. I like to add thawed raspberries on top for an extra flavor kick!

Raw Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin pie lovers, rejoice! Here's a Raw Pumpkin Pie that is easier to make than a 'real' pumpkin pie, and tastes just as good or better!

When you're craving a slice, just pop it out of the freezer and serve frozen. Yum!

Raw Sesame Seed Bars

I try to keep a stash of these in the freezer at all times. One of my faves! This Raw Sesame Seed Bar recipe is full of sesame seeds, raisins, flaxseed, coconut, and tahini. And of course, coconut oil to hold it all together in the freezer!

No equipment required for this recipe. Just a big 'ol bowl and mixing spoon!

Raw Vanilla Drop Cookies

Freezer cookies are the handiest snack to keep on hand. And these Raw Vanilla Drop Cookies are guaranteed to hit your sweet spot. Tahini is the 'secret' ingredient that makes these cookies such a delight.

Try to save some of these tasty treats in the freezer for your friends!

Raw Cheesecake

Cheesecake is another dessert that I can't live without. What about you? If you're a cheesecake fan, then this dee-lish Raw Cheesecake recipe is for you. Believe me when I say it tastes like the 'real deal.' Truly!

Macadamia nuts, cashews, coconut, and dates are just some of the key ingredients that make this frozen cheesecake so delectable!

Ready, set... freeze!

What's in your freezer right now? Frozen raw desserts are a no-brainer... for when you're dying for a treat, or for a visiting friend/neighbor/whoever! I love to serve up a piece of pie, or a plate of cookies to my guests! (Confession: it's the sesame seed bars I have a hard time not keeping all to myself!)

Craving some healthy sweetness right about now? Need some ideas for dessert tonight? Then take a gander at this fab selection of simple, fruit-based raw vegan desserts that will leave you wanting more!

Strawberries, raspberries, apples, oranges and bananas: something for everyone!

Raw Strawberry Shortcake Pies

Oh my gosh, these Raw Strawberry Shortcake Pies are simply divine (and beautiful to look at!). Cashews, coconut, and dates transmogrify into a delicious crust, while strawberries, cashews, and coconut oil are 3 of the ingredients in the yummy filling.

Impress your guests with these easy-to-make delightful raw strawberry treats!

Raw Raspberry Crumble

If you're craving raspberries, then why don't you whip up this delicious Raw Raspberry Crumble. Coconut, walnuts, dates, and salt comprise the easy-to-make crumble, then toss in your fave berry, in this case - raspberries!

To rev up the flavor a notch, top with a dollop of Raw Whipped Cream!

Raw Apple Crumble

Here's a unique take on the traditional fruit crumble. If you're an apple fan, then you'll love this Raw Apple Crumble! Super easy to make, and surprisingly buttery-tasting!

Tip: you can store a batch of your dry "crumble" in a ziploc bag in your pantry for a few days.

Raw Orange Chia Seed Pudding

If you're in the mood for a smooth, sweet treat, then try this Raw Orange Chia Seed Pudding! Chia seeds thicken this pudding to its creamy consistency. Also in the mix: cashews and of course, oranges!

I love this pudding - it's reminiscent of an orange creamsicle!

Raw Banana Cream Pie

This Raw Banana Cream Pie is guaranteed to be a hit. With a cashew/coconut/date crust and creamy banana filling, this pie is both delicious and simple to make.

Keep one on hand in the freezer for dessert or guests or... midnight emergencies!

This Fruit's for You!

Hope you've enjoyed checking out these fruit-based raw vegan desserts! Any particular one strike your fancy?

The great thing about these recipes is that they're easy-to-make and they're good for you. Win-win!

Am I the only one who slams back a glass or two of fresh juice and promptly gets a stomach-ache? I don't think so! I get this awful pain in my gut that lasts about 30 minutes, and I'm normally such a healthy person. What's going on here?

I had to delve further to find out why, and what I could do about it. Because I sure didn't want to give up my juice. For my fellow sufferers, the good news is there are several things you can do to avoid this... yay!

Pain can be caused by:

Drinking too fast

A certain amount of air is swallowed whenever you eat or drink. If you drink too fast, you will swallow excess air. This creates extra gas in your system causing pain and possibly bloating, and even flatulence (yikes!).

Drinking too much at once

Simple system overload here: your body cannot digest all that juice quickly enough. It's the same as over-eating. You feel full and bloated, and you get a gut-ache!

Too much of a good thing

Juicing concentrates the natural sugars that are found in fruits and vegetables. Sugars (and other carbs) ferment in your gut and naturally create some gas as part of the digestive process. Concentrated sugars may cause gastro distress. Your body may not be able to cope with a pure juice, and it's letting you know.

Certain fruits & veggies

Fruits and veggies are undoubtedly good for you. But high-fiber fruits & veggies (apples and pears, cabbage, beets, carrot and kale) are often the culprits for causing gas. They are harder to digest, especially in large amounts.

Help is on the horizon!

Drinking smaller amounts of juice more often through the day should help. Same with drinking slowly. Plus, I find that diluting my juice helps immensely. Not only do I tolerate it better, but it makes my juice go farther, as well!

If pain is an issue after you drink fresh juice, and you've tried the first 3 tips, you could try an elimination diet to find out what's causing you grief. It could be that you cannot tolerate one particular thing, especially in concentrated amounts. Through elimination, I discovered that beets are the source of my stomach pain.

You know your body best. Listen to what it's saying. Take steps to eliminate issues - sip, reduce volume & dilute. See your doc if necessary.

After all, you want to be able to have your juice... and drink it, too!

For people who are always on the go, finding the time to prepare healthy meals can be a challenge. The added challenge of coming up with a simple yet nutritious meal or snack can definitely add to your daily struggle. If you've been struggling with your diet and would like to make a conscious choice to eat healthy and raw food, go for one of my fast raw food recipes. 

No matter how experienced you are with raw food preparation, it's always good to have a guide for some easy-to-make recipes for whenever you're in a hurry. With these fast raw food recipes, you can prepare them at home just before you leave to rush to work or after dinner for a nice sweet snack. Here are some of my fast raw food recipes:

Raw Salad for Lunch

If you're in a real hurry and you're running late for work, you can use this easy to make raw salad recipe. It's a very simple and fast recipe where you will only need to prepare a few items for your lunch. However, I don't recommend preparing them in advance as the ingredients can turn smooshy and less appetizing.

Instead, you simply have to bring a ripe carrot, tomato, and avocado with you to work. When you're about to eat, you just need to prepare these ingredients to make into a delicious, healthy, and colorful raw salad for lunch. If you've got a lunchroom at work, you're good to go with this one!

Raw Chocolate Cookies

Perfect for days when you've just got to satisfy your chocolate craving, you can recreate this easy recipe for raw chocolate cookies.

Compared to other raw cookie recipes, you simply need a few ingredients to recreate this gooey treat: almonds, cashews, dates, coconut oil, vanilla, agave nectar, sea salt, and cocoa powder. Best served warm, you do not need to refrigerate them too long. Since they don't turn crispy, you can dehydrate them for just a few hours. 

Raw Banana Chai Smoothie

If you're looking for a fast and easy recipe for a raw smoothie, this Raw Banana Chai smoothie will work wonders!

You can turn it into a quick dessert fix or a replacement for a sweet coffee or hot cocoa after dinner. It is really easy to make as you just need to blend the ingredients in a blender. To achieve the chai taste, you can use cardamom or cinnamon. This will be a perfect end to a hot summer day!

Raw Chocolate Haystacks

Apart from the fact that this is an easy to make recipe, you don't need to use any equipment, which means less dishes to clean.

All you need to make this recipe are shredded coconut, coconut oil, maple syrup, raw cocoa powder, sea salt, and pure vanilla extract. You can make these raw chocolate haystacks in advance and store them in your freezer so you can have a quick sugar fix. 

Raw Brownies

If you've been on the lookout for a raw brownie recipe that won't disappoint you, you've come to the right place! The texture and taste of this raw brownie recipe resembles real brownies, especially after it has been refrigerated for an hour or so.

Because of how delicious this recipe is, you may want to double the recipe so you can make more servings. This is one of my most popular recipes ever!

Which one is your favorite fast raw food recipe?

Making your own raw food is a lot better than buying prepared food for so many reasons, especially since you can never be too sure with the ingredients they use. It's time you start making raw food at home using these easy fast raw food recipes. You'll absolutely love these recipes for raw chocolate cookies, raw chocolate haystacks, and raw brownies if you're craving for chocolate.

You can also take the recipe for raw banana chai smoothie as a dessert after a raw salad for lunch. With these easy to make and fast raw food recipes, you'll be a raw pro in no time!

Have you been contemplating going raw? Do you spend hours browsing raw recipes, but never seem to make that shopping list? Do you tell yourself, “I’ll start next week”? Or you think, “When I eat up all the other food in the house…”? Maybe you say, “When I can afford all the kitchen appliances, then I’ll start.”

I know firsthand starting something new can be challenging and a bit overwhelming, but starting a raw food lifestyle is a change you won’t regret. The health benefits are so worth it and it’s easier than you think!

And you don't have to do it all right now. You don't have to go raw overnight. It all start with the next bite. Can you try a raw meal for your next meal? Or your next dessert?

If you’ve been a long time “meats and sweets” kind of person, you may want to ease your way into it. Just start with one raw meal a day. Perhaps add a delicious green smoothie to your morning routine. You’ll start feeling the difference right away. Soon your body will start craving the good stuff and you’ll find yourself reaching for a piece of fruit instead of a bag of chips (unless they’re dehydrated kale chips, of course).

You don’t even need any special appliances to get started. There are several delicious recipes that don’t require any equipment at all. They do make it more fun though! Start with a basic blender and work your way up to the big stuff. However, you may find when you aren’t spending money on meat, processed food and at the drive thru, there might be a little more in the budget for those kitchen gadgets than you realize!

So go ahead, grab a pen and paper and start making that grocery list or better yet, download one of my helpful apps and get started today. Your body will thank you!

You will feel amazing. Eating raw increases energy, clears up skin, helps you sleep better, promotes weight loss and reduces the risk of disease. It’s even thought to slow the aging process. That should be enough motivation to give it a try. You can do it! 

Wondering how to start the raw food diet, also known as the raw vegan diet? It’s a common question. You’ve heard about the benefits that a diet of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds can have on the body and mind, but how can you go about changing the way you eat and starting your new life on the raw food diet? And where can you find a raw food diet meal plan?

Raw food diet plans are not that revolutionary. In fact, raw food diet plans have been around for thousands of years. Let’s not over complicate things! Raw food diet plans are simply another word for eating fresh foods. That’s it. Simple!

And what are these raw foods? Well, you can take a look at my raw food grocery list below for a thorough overview. But, in sum, raw food diet plans are simply based around eating nothing but fresh, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, sprouted grains, unprocessed nuts and unprocessed seeds.

If you are wondering whether raw food diet plans are for real or are right for you, of course they are! Everyone should be eating more real fresh fruits and vegetables. Now, whether you should eat an all raw food diet is another story!

Raw food diet plans don't have to be complicated. Simply incorporate more raw fruits and vegetables into your diet. You can use raw food diet recipes to help you incorporate more of these healthful foods into your diet on a daily basis–regardless of whether you eat a low, high or all raw food diet.

If you’re wondering how to start the raw food diet try keeping these important questions in mind:

Why do you want to start the raw food diet?

Understanding the reason why you want to become a raw vegan will help you to see the big picture of your health and your quality of life. If you truly want to make a change in your life and you’re ready to work hard and see results, then you will have the will and drive to take action towards starting the raw food diet. That’s the most important step when starting the raw food diet!

What will you do when you feel like reverting back to the standard American diet?

When figuring out how to start the raw food diet you’ve got to have a plan for what you will do when faced with cravings and awkward social situations that revolve around food. Have you given any thought to what you will say or do in these situations? Start with a plan so that you’re ready to execute your plan when faced with these situations.

What do you need to buy in order to start the raw food diet?

Let’s get to the nitty gritty, right? If you’re wondering how to start the raw food diet you are probably looking for some basic information, such as what do you need to buy and what will you need to succeed? There’s a lot of hype about superfoods and fancy equipment. Some raw fooders will tell you that all you need to get started on the raw food diet is a fridge full of fresh fruits and veg. Sounds simple enough, right?

However, I think that’s a little too simple. Most raw recipes that actually taste good require a high-speed blender and a food processor, so if you’re wondering how to start the raw food diet I recommend:

• A cutting board
• Sharp knives
• A fridge full of raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds
• A high-speed blender
• A food processor

Many people also use dehydrators when eating only raw vegan foods. However, if you’re just getting started you don’t need a dehydrator. You can always get one at a later date.

Next comes the important part: the food!

Raw Vegan Grocery List

All items on this raw grocery list should be organic and raw where possible. It is not always feasible to buy everything organic, and I don’t even always buy organic. However, aim for the gold standard when it comes to your raw grocery list — where possible!

Raw grocery list - Fruits

• Apples
• Oranges
• Bananas
• Grapefruits
• Lemons
• Limes
• Grapes
• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Cantaloupe

Raw grocery list - Vegetables

• Onions
• Carrots
• Leafy greens (spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, etc.)
• Parsley
• Fresh mint
• Green bell pepper
• Red bell pepper
• Cucumber
• Garlic
• Celery
• Tomatoes

Raw grocery list - Nuts and Seeds

• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Chia seeds
• Cashews
• Macadamia nuts
• Hemp seeds

Raw grocery list - Oils and condiments

• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• Coconut oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Herbs and spices (thyme, basil, curry, cinnamon, cloves, allspice etc.)
• Sea salt (not regular table salt)
• Vanilla pods or pure vanilla extract
• Dried dates
• Dried coconut
• Raisins
• Cacao

This is a sample basic raw grocery list to give you a general idea of what might be found in a typical raw foodist or raw vegan kitchen. 

Raw Appliances

Now, wondering what raw appliances to buy for your raw food kitchen?

Blender

Your blender is the most crucial part of being a raw vegan. Blenders are used to make smoothies, puddings, sauces, and much more. I recommend the VitaMix. It's the best blender you can get, it's large, but it isn't cheap! There is no alternative to a good blender. If you must, you can use a cheaper, personal blender but I guarantee that your existing blender will not blend as well and the motor will burn out over time. Don't feel bad if you can't afford one right away. But plan on buying a VitaMix at some point soon. At least put it on your Christmas list!

Food Processor

You need a blender and a food processor. This here is a great food processor, but you do not need such a good one. My honest recommendation is to use the food processor that you have at home. If you do not have a food processor then simply go to your local big box store and choose a medium priced food processor (perhaps in the $50 range). Invest any extra money into the VitaMix blender above, please!

NOTE: Yes, you need a blender AND a food processor. Blenders do smooth, liquidy stuff (smoothies, soups, sauces) and food processors do chunkier stuff (think raw cookie dough, pizza dough, raw pie crusts, etc.). I suggest buying a crappy (cheap) food processor and an awesome (expensive) blender.

Also, check out my handy recommended raw food products list here. The list includes a wide variety of raw appliances, from blenders and food processors to manual juicers and spirooli slicers. The list also includes some great idea for edible raw food specialty items, including chia seeds, nutritional yeast, kelp noodles and much more.

Daily Raw Food Diet Menu

Wondering what you're going to eat on a raw food diet plan? Curious what’s in a typical raw food diet menu? Much like regular eaters who eat standard American diet fare, raw food diet menus can vary per person based on different food preferences and dietary needs. Raw food diet menus can also vary hugely based on how much time you want to dedicate to preparing your raw meals!

If you are anything like me, odds are you’re busy running errands, working, spending time with family and keeping your life on track. While cooking (or “uncooking”) can be a pleasurable hobby, most of us don’t want to spend hours creating complicated items for your daily raw food diet menu.

I advocate making simple, satisfying raw food diet menus to ensure your success with the raw food lifestyle. 

Here's a simple example of what’s on a typical raw diet menu:

All of these raw diet menu dishes can be made at home quite easily with some basic raw food appliances.

30 Days Raw

Are you up for 30 days of raw food? If you’re considering going raw for 30 days I encourage you to go for it!

30 days raw can have a powerful effect. Many people go raw for 30 days and on the last day they actually don’t want to eat standard American diet foods.

That’s what happened to me. Let me tell you my 30 days raw story.

In 2001, I became a vegetarian. However, I was a “junk-food vegetarian.” In other words, I ate vegetarian foods but they were anything but healthy. In fact, I barely ever ate any fresh fruits or vegetables. Almost everything I ate was processed, and items like chips, candy, cheese buns, packaged cookies, cinnamon buns, tofu dogs smothered in cheese and ketchup, and much worse were on my plate daily! I felt tired all the time, and I had very bad acne even though I was well past puberty.

In 2009 I decided to make a major change in my life. I was over-weight for my height, lethargic, moody, unhappy and low energy. After witnessing a family member’s amazing transformation with raw foods, I decided to start my own 30 days raw just to see whether I could do it for a short time.

I certainly didn’t have any inkling that I would go raw and stay raw ever since!

Yes, it’s true, after my 30 days raw I decided to stay raw for Day 31, too. And when I woke up on Day 32, I realized that I felt and looked so much better that I didn’t want to eat standard American foods. And so, since my 30 days raw in 2009, I’ve stayed raw for years now–and I’m still going strong.

30 day raw diet plans can be helpful for a variety of reasons, including weight loss and simply resetting your tastebuds to appreciate real, unprocessed foods. It can be overwhelming and a bit daunting to try to figure out what to eat when you’re on a 30 day raw diet plan. Especially if you’ve never eaten these types of foods before!

Different Approaches for Going Raw Food 30 Days

There are many ways to approach raw food for 30 days. Here are three ways to approach raw food for 30 days:

1. Raw food 30 days – 50% + raw vegan

When approaching raw food for 30 days, for some people simply increasing their daily intake of raw, living foods to above 50% of their total diet is a remarkable change. In my experience, however, it is important when doing a 30 day raw food challenge to aim for higher than this level in order to experience the full benefits. In addition, it’s key that the remaining portion of your non-raw intake be healthful food choice! For example, the following 50%+ raw vegan diet is not recommended:

No: 50% raw vegan / 50% junk (not recommended):

• 51% healthful raw vegan choices, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds for 30 days
• 49% standard American diet junk food, such as cookies, chips, cheese, dairy, full-fat meats, potato chips, soda pop, candy, refined sugars, poultry, deep fried foods, etc.

Yes: 50% raw vegan / 50% healthy, cooked foods (recommended):

• 50% healthful raw vegan choices, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds for 30 days
• 40% healthful cooked food choices, such as lentils, brown rice, steamed vegetables, rice wraps, very limited dairy, meats and poultry, little to no refined sugars, etc.

2. Raw food 30 days – High raw vegan (80%+)

When going raw for 30 days you’ll experience more positive effects the higher your raw foods ratio. When opting for a high raw vegan diet (80%+), it is again important to make sure that the non-raw options that you incorporate into your diet are also healthful choices. Most people find it more difficult to eat raw when out of the house, at social events or at restaurants. When going raw for 30 days and when following a high raw vegan diet, a good option is to eat close to 100% raw at home, and then opt for the healthiest non-raw options possible when at social events and other places where you must eat out of the house.

3. Raw food 30 days – 100% raw vegan

Eating 100% raw vegan–or close to it–is actually the best option for many. Some people find it easier to eat 100% raw for 30 days because they have, in fact, removed the temptations by calling every cooked item untouchable for 30 days. For some, this is the easiest way to do raw food for 30 days.

Raw food – 30 days… Are you up for it? If so, it’s important to consider which one of these raw for 30 day approaches will work best for you.

30 Day Raw Food Diet Meal Plan

Want to have a look at a 100% raw 30 day raw food diet meal plan? They can be difficult to find for free on the internet. So, I thought I’d pull this one together for you based on my experiences over the past few years as a raw vegan.

Here’s my 30 day raw food menu for you, which you can use a sample to help you figure out some ideas for what to eat re: a 30 day raw food menu.

30 Days Raw Food - What to expect

Wondering what to expect if you experience 30 days of raw food? Everyone has a slightly different personal experience with 30 days of raw food. However, the overall results are quite amazing and follow a general pattern. This discussion assumes that you’re following a 100% raw food diet (or very close to 100%).

For the first week it’s tough. You’re going to have a difficult time breaking your normal patterns and having to figure out what to eat and when. You’ll also find that you’re quite hungry, so you’ve got to make sure you’re eating lots and lots of food! The raw food diet is not about restricting calories. You’re actually going to find that for your first 10 days or so on raw food you’re going to spend more time eating (I mean physically chewing and sitting at the table) because you need to eat more food than you’re used to eating.

In the first 10-15 days and perhaps even longer you’ll be experiencing some detoxification, whereby your body is getting rid of a lot of the junk it has stored in your body. So, prepare to go to the washroom more often than your used to. This can mean having a bowel movement (sorry!!) after every meal! Fresh fruit and veggies have a lot of fiber in them, and most people are not used to going to washroom so frequently.

Here are a couple of my favorite videos on the 30 days raw food subject. If you can obtain copies of these or borrow them from a friend they are inspirational and well worth the watch:

Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days (DVD)

Supercharge Me: 30 Days Raw (DVD)

By the end of your 30 days of raw food you will have learned some valuable raw food preparation skills, will have lost weight, and will have actually found some real food recipes that make your heart pitter-patter and your tastebuds salivate!

Raw Food Meal Plan – Is It Necessary?

If you want to go raw for an extended period of time, a raw food meal plan is not necessary for you to follow a raw food lifestyle. Although I sell a 30-day supported raw food meal plan program that’s awesome, you may not need one.

However, there are some of us who do well with raw food meal plans, while others honestly have no need for meal plans.

Will you benefit from a meal plan?

Whether you need a raw food meal plan is totally up to you.

People who benefit from following raw food meal plans enjoy structure and organization. You might be considered more of a Type A personality. Someone who likes structure, planning and having a set of guidelines to follow. You probably prefer to know what’s coming rather than be blind-sided by a crisis. Does that sound like you? Then if you’re interested in raw foods you will benefit from following a raw food meal plan.

Raw food meal plans are not for everybody, but if you’re interested in launching yourself into the raw food lifestyle the right way and right away, consider whether a 30 day raw food meal plan is the leg up that you’ve been looking for.

Losing Weight with a Raw Food Diet Plan

Is it really possible to lose weight with a raw food diet plan? What about eating as much as you want and still losing weight? Yes, losing weight with raw foods is totally possible, and basically guaranteed. But the raw food diet plan is not a magic pill that will allow you to eat anything you want and still lose weight. It’s not magic. It’s rational, focused and it works.

The raw food diet plan is all about reality and hard work. Losing weight with the raw food diet plan requires hard work and will power. But the rewards are guaranteed and trust me when I tell you that you will learn to enjoy the taste of healthy food. If you stick with raw eating, you will, I promise.

Losing weight with the raw food diet is not about restricting pleasure or eating your greens because you have to. You’ll only lose weight with the raw food diet if you actually stay with it and retrain your taste-buds and your thinking. Raw food is not something that you do for a week to lose those last five pounds; that’ll never work because you’ll just gain the weight back again.

In order to lose weight and be happy on raw foods you’ve got to become excited about your food and raw recipes. You’ve got to learn to get excited about fruits and vegetables! Trust me, you will.

Wondering how to get started losing weight with the raw food diet? The first step is to get mentally prepared. Losing weight with raw food diet — it is possible.

Raw Food Diet Meal Plans – What Makes a Good One?

1. An effective raw food diet meal plan… isn’t complicated!

For the love of nancy, if your life is like mine you’ve got about a gazillion things you should be doing and raw food just can’t be that complicated in your life. OK, I love to go out to a raw restaurant and have raw lasagna and raw cheesecake and all kinds of crazy delicious good raw stuff, but puh-lease I don’t have time for a high-falluting raw food diet meal plan on weeknights–or even on weekends for that matter!

So let’s have reasonable recipes that don’t take very long to prepare, OK?

2. An effective raw food diet meal plan…tastes shockingly satisfyingly delicious!

In case you don’t know this about me, the only reason that I am raw is because it tastes uber-super-delicious. If I was bored with my raw food diet meal plan I’d be off of this raw food bandwagon so fast you would only see smoke flying through the air where my body used to be lying horizontally on the bandwagon.

In my raw food diet meal plan world raw meals are simple to prepare and they satiate you just like standard American diet (“SAD”) food used to.

Yes, you can still have a lovely belly-is-full and “I am so happy after that meal” feeling.

For me, I still have sweet and salty cravings, but I know how to satiate them because I’ve found delectable recipes that work for me, like chia puddings, nut pates, raw macaroni and cheese, raw alfredo and noodles, and much more. (Yummers!)

3. An effective raw food diet meal plan…focuses on *your* favorite foods.

Hate bananas? Love hazelnuts? Grossed out by avocado? Look, you are the boss of you. If you don’t like something that some raw foodists say must be in your raw food diet meal plan, then don’t eat it! It’s that simple.

And if, on the hand, you find a recipe that you absolutely love, make it often and enjoy yourself!

The beauty of raw foods is that everything you eat is healthy. It’s alive! It’s natural. So if you want a raw strawberry smoothie for breakfast, then go for it.

All I say is that you must learn to love greens in order to have a balanced raw food diet meal plan. But, do not fear. If you aren’t totally raw, you will learn to love your greens. (I promise!) But for some people that might be kale, for others it might be baby spinach, or romaine, or mesclun. Listen to your tastebuds and don’t let anybody else boss you around!

4. An effective raw food diet meal plan…should make you feel great.

The raw food lifestyle is not about pining away for the foods you used to eat and it’s certainly not about feeling hungry.

Effective raw food diet meal plans should leave you feeling satiated, full, and energized.

If you are transitioning to a raw food diet meal plan from a very junky meal plan, like I did, then you will go through some detox so at the beginning you might not feel so hot. But after the first week you’ll be on the upswing.

Rule of thumb? If you’re hungry, eat! Fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, desserts for dinner, entrees for breakfast, whatever you like is fine. Just eat raw and don’t let yourself go hungry.

5. An effective raw food diet meal plan…should include some serious standby recipes.

An effective raw food diet meal plan for you must contain some recipes that you absolutely love to eat and make. This is crucial, because if your raw food diet meal plan doesn’t contain anything that you LOVE you are going to have nothing to turn to when you hit a rough patch.

Find your raw comfort food. Mine is various types of chia pudding or raw macaroni and cheese, but you might want something completely different.

The point is to identify a sweet and a salty favorite recipe as part of your raw food diet meal plan, and make sure you always have the ingredients to make those comfort-food raw recipes on hand.

From your host

I hope you’ve found my overview of the raw food diet and my sample raw food meal plan helpful.

My purpose is to inspire you to try this amazing lifestyle, one bite at a time. It is an honor and a privilege to get to live my life's purpose. Thank you for being here and for sharing your journey with me.

I am just a normal person who literally trained myself to love to eat healthy food. If I can do it, then I know you can too. Welcome to the world of raw food, and I can't wait to help you be an even healthier, happier more vibrant you.

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