Going raw can have its challenges. You might have preconceptions that sink you before you swim. Like ‘raw food is boring.’ Or maybe you feel hungry all the time. You may even try to count calories – trust me, you don’t have to! Or maybe you’re not prepared when you’re away from home – so you grab a bag of chips.

But if you are aware of these mistakes, you are less likely to fall off the wagon. Here are some tips to help you avoid these common raw mistakes.

Mistake: Counting calories

First raw mistake is counting calories. You do not, I repeat, do NOT have to count calories when you are eating raw! Just make sure to eat a balanced raw diet. Eat good, whole healthy foods, and eat a lot of them. This is the joy of raw. Anyway, counting calories is a pain. Why do it if you don’t have to?

Mistake: Not eating enough

You’ll love correcting this raw mistake! Remember: you have to eat more than you’re used to. Don’t think, “Gee, one handful of berries is too much.” Grab another handful! It does take a lot more raw food (think volume) to ‘fill’ you up. Heap your plate high. Second servings are encouraged! Going raw does not equal going hungry. Make sure you eat enough throughout the day.

Mistake: Not being prepared when away from home

This is a huge raw mistake. One we’re all guilty of. We rush out of the house without a thought to snacks or lunch. So, get into the habit of having ‘easy-to-eat’ items on hand. Nuts, fruit,veggies – easy to take along for the ride. Divide your almonds (or cashews, or whatever) into baggies ahead of time – so they’re easy to grab. Bananas and apples… simple, take-along snacks.

The hard part is remembering to bring your food. For emergencies, stash a bag of nuts in your car (or even your purse). Being prepared when away from home is vitally important to successfully staying raw.

Mistake: Thinking that healthy food must taste boring

Raw food is boring… NOT! Many folks think eating raw is noshing down on lettuce and celery, day in and day out. Nowadays, going raw can taste delicious. No need to suffer taste deprivation! The secret is finding the right recipes. Have you tried the raw apple pie? Raw alfredo sauce? Raw brownies? Sweet or savory? Variety is key. There are so many delicious raw recipes to try. Start with the simpler raw recipes and then when you’re more confident… get creative! No more reasons to think, “ho-hum, boring” anymore. Scratch this raw mistake from your list!

What mistake are you making?

I hope you realize that going raw needn’t be boring or difficult. (Yay!) With just a little effort, staying raw will become second nature to you. Just be aware of these raw mistakes. Delight your taste buds with a variety of raw recipes. Don’t starve yourself or count calories. And be sure to carry simple raw snacks with you every time you leave the house!

Are you the type of person who likes to play jokes on April Fool's Day? If so, then congratulations! If not, then instead of a joke, try something a little different on April 1st. Why don't you "surprise" someone with one of these raw desserts?

Read on and find out why each dessert is so surprising...

Raw Sweet Kale Cheesecake

After your guests (friends, family?) finish off their slice of Raw Sweet Kale Cheesecake, shock 'em with the news that kale is the main ingredient! Watch their jaws drop as they process the news. Kale? That leafy green vegetable that no-one ever eats? (Except raw vegans, of course!)

Kale is what gives this cheesecake it's crazy green color. And it does NOT make the cheesecake taste green. It is sweet and delicious, and the texture is creamy (thanks to the cashews and banana). Plus, it's totally gorgeous. So, this April Fool's Day, serve it with confidence. Then drop the kale bomb after the last crumb is gone!

Raw Brownies

Here is another surprise dessert to whip up for April Fool's Day. Why are these Raw Brownies such a surprise? Because these brownies are are actually good for you! With the decadent chocolate-y taste and chewy texture, you'd be forgiven for thinking these are 'real' brownies. Not! Pecans, dates and coconut are the healthy ingredients in this recipe. No sugar, no butter, nada.

Make a batch of these brownies and you'll agree. These are the ultimate healthy treat that will fix your chocolate itch... without guilt!

Raw Cheesecake

Here's a classic raw cheesecake that will fool anyone into thinking it's the 'real deal.' This cheesecake is so rich and decadent, you'll be surprised that there is no dairy in this recipe! Well, you won't be surprised, but your guests will! After you tell them they are eating a raw, vegan cheesecake (cream cheese free!).

Instead of a cream cheese filling, this recipe uses cashews, coconut oil and agave (or honey), plus lemon juice and vanilla. See, no dairy! The crust is also divinely delicious as macadamia nuts are its primary ingredient. Yum!

Make one, or make all three!

Each one of these desserts is so good, another (pretty much predictable!) surprise will be if there is any left for the next day!

What occasion calls for loads more green than usual? Yes – it’s Saint Patrick’s Day! (Err, I realize the post title spoils it, but let’s just pretend you didn’t see that.)

For raw vegans, having lots of greens on the table may be already an ordinary sight. It seems like everyday might be Saint Patrick’s Day. But this occasion is extra special for many, so why not go the extra mile and whip up a few mean green recipes to enjoy all day!

Just something a little different and festive from the usual green salad, ya know?

Silky green smoothie

What better way to start your St. Patrick's day than with the Rawtarian's classic Silky Green Smoothie? It's big and it's green! And of course, it's extra smooth and oh, so good for you! Fill up a clear go-cup and take it with you to work. Wave it at people as you walk by, so they know YOU'RE celebrating St. Patrick's Day in style!

You must have a high-speed blender to achieve the ultimate silkiness of this recipe!

Raw broccoli soup

Keep up the festive theme for lunch (or supper!) with this surprisingly delicious Raw Broccoli Soup. Cashews provide this soup with its yummy creaminess. And broccoli being the numero uno ingredient, it is a lovely shade of green. So you're still rockin' St. Patrick's Day!

If you haven't made this soup before, give this recipe a try. If you love broccoli, you are going to totally love this soup!

Raw stuffed mushrooms

Impress your friends (or just yourself!) with these Raw Stuffed Mushrooms. They are stuffed with spinach and basil, so yes, this recipe still fits in with today's green theme! Pine nuts and red/yellow peppers are also included in the filling, so you can be assured, these little morsels are most delectable!

This recipe does require a dehydrator, so make sure you plan ahead (it's worth it!).

Raw sweet kale cheesecake

The vibrant green color of this cheesecake recipe is just perfectly fitting for a St. Patrick’s Day raw dessert. Even though it’s green and all, it’s surprisingly sweet and doesn’t even have that green flavor to it. This Raw Sweet Kale Cheesecake requires only a few ingredients and very quick and easy to follow steps: blend, pour and freeze.

What makes this raw sweet kale cheesecake recipe stand out is its lovely shade of green and its sweet flavor.

Surprising and delicious St. Patrick's Day recipes!

St. Patrick’s Day is looming just around the corner, and if you don’t have shamrocks or any creative green ideas to prepare, any of these green recipes will fit the bill! You can start your day with the silky green smoothie, and finish with the sweet kale cheesecake. Or serve up the broccoli soup and stuffed mushroom caps for a yummy lunch!

Do you have your own raw food green overload for the 17th ready?

Who said blenders are just for smoothies and shakes? Is that what you think? Well, think again! Your blender is more than just that. It possesses the power to make puddings, soups, sauces, and smoothies (of course!). You can even whip up a batch of chocolate icing in your blender!

The blender is the most important appliance in your kitchen. If you haven't realized that yet, you will soon! I've compiled for you the 5 easiest raw vegan blender recipes. These recipes are all super dee-lish, and simple to make. Let's start with something sweet... 

Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding

Here is a pudding to die for, plus it's so darned good for you (what with the avocado and all!). This Raw Chocolate Avocado Pudding is smooth and creamy, and so easy to make. Good enough to serve your guests, or better yet, keep it all to yourself!

You can eat it right away, or stash it in the fridge for a bit (tastes even better when chilled).

Raw Chocolate Icing

Even I was surprised at how divine this Raw Chocolate Icing tastes! How can four simple ingredients combine to make something so decadent and delicious? This icing would fit right in at a fancy vegan restaurant!

If you can stop yourself from eating this by the spoonful, spread this icing on a batch of Raw Brownies.

Raw Tomato Soup

Tomatoes and cashews combine to make this superb Raw Tomato Soup. I know you might think raw soup doesn't sound appealing. But trust me on this - this soup is sooo good! It's so easy to make (just throw ingredients in blender and blend 'er up!).

Bonus: the longer you blend, the warmer the soup gets - oh, so good!

Raw Alfredo Sauce

Okay, I know you're thinking, "Alfredo sauce? Really?" Yes, really! You can whip up a batch of the best-tasting Raw Alfredo Sauce that ever hit your palate. Cashews provide texture and creaminess to this recipe. You are so going to love it.

Serve over zucchini 'noodles' for a taste sensation!

Raw Macaroni and Cheese

Yes, there is such a thing as Raw Macaroni and Cheese! You will be surprised at how cheese-y rich this recipe is. It's so good, even your kids will love it! Toss with zucchini or kelp 'macaroni' and serve - I'll be right there!

This is one of my go-to fave recipes!

Not just for smoothies...

Your blender is a whole lot more versatile than you think. Don't just use it for smoothies! Heck no. After trying these easy raw vegan blender recipes, you'll see your blender in a whole new light. For realz!

You may have noticed that some raw recipes include psyllium as an ingredient. Psyllium adds texture (think moist, soft and light - yum!) to recipes like my Moist Spongy Loaves, and can be used as a thickener in puddings, shakes and soups. But some of you might be wondering: what is psyllium and how much psyllium is safe to eat?

Psyllium is available in both 'husk' and 'powder' forms. (Note: I use psyllium husk in my recipes). It is an excellent source of fiber (derived from the seeds of the plantago ovata plant). It is commonly used to promote bowel regularity. (Check out the constipation section at a store and you'll see lots of psyllium products!) You can purchase it as a laxative or as a fiber supplement, or in bulk at your health food store.

Psyllium also has other health benefits, such as lowering cholestrol,  alleviating Irritable Bowel symptoms, and maintaining colon health. As you can see, psyllium fiber can be a beneficial addition to your diet.

Psyllium absorbs water as it passes through your intestines, which then bulks up your stool. It's this action that facilitates passage through your bowels. Most healthy folks who eat a varied diet to meet their fiber requirements will not have a problem adding psyllium to their diet.

However, if you eat too much psyllium, especially if you don't drink enough water or you're not used to it, you could run into trouble. Eating too much psyllium can cause problems like gas, bloating, intestinal discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, and even intestinal blockage. As with any fiber (or anything in life, really), too much isn't necessarily a good thing!

You know your own body. If you have a predisposition to intestinal problems (from surgery or other medical problems), check with your doctor first before charging out and buying a sack of psyllium! If you are on any medications, check to make sure that eating psyllium is okay (as it can interfere with absorption).

And if you don't have any issues, use common sense! Don't scarf back an entire loaf of Raw Sweet Bread (no matter how good it tastes!) or you may suffer the embarrassing (or worse) consequences!

The Raw Food Podcast is a free radio show hosted by Laura-Jane The Rawtarian. You'll find tons of raw food info and healthy inspiration in Laura-Jane's podcasts... and they are free to listen to.

There are several ways to listen to a podcast:

• You can play the podcast directly from within the episode.
• You can download the MP3 (link provided in the episode).
• You can also "subscribe" to The Raw Food Podcast in iTunes using your Apple smartphone, iPad, etc.
• If you have an Android device, you can also use a podcast app - Laura-Jane uses the free "podkicker" app - where you then search for "raw food podcast."

Raw Food Podcast Episode Guide

Raw Recipes:

RFP06: Raw alfredo sauce - In this podcast, Laura-Jane describes how to make a scrumptious cashew-based raw alfredo sauce.

RFP14: Raw Pizza - In this episode, Laura-Jane explains how to make delicious raw pizza!

RFP10: Raw cheese - Laura-Jane explains how to make raw cheese in your blender. She also dispels the myth of 5-day cheese.

RFP11: Raw veggie burgers - In this episode, Laura-Jane tells you how make delicious raw veggie burgers in your dehydrator! 

RFP03: Green Smoothies, Oh Yeah! - Laura-Jane dishes all the dirt on green smoothies! What's in them, what do they taste like, why cleaning your blender immediately is so important, and much more.

RFP27: Nut milks - Laura-Jane the Rawtarian talks about making nut milk. Topics covered: nut milk bags, cashew and almond milk, &  making recipes with leftover almond pulp. 

RFP20: Raw Soup - Don't shy away! - In this episode, Laura-Jane debunks the myths about why some people shy away from raw soups. She also shares the simple trick that ensures your raw soups are delicious every time straight out of the blender!

Raw Sweets:

RFP01: Raw Brownies - Laura-Jane shares her wonderful raw brownie recipe in this sweet episode!

RFP19: Raw Cakes - How to make 'em! - Laura-Jane offers very practical advice about how to make raw cake. She discusses a variety of options, including raw refrigerator cakes, raw freezer cakes and dehydrator cakes.

RFP12: Top Desserts in the Raw - In this episode, Laura-Jane shares the inside scoop on making raw desserts, five different types of raw desserts, and talks a bit about her raw dessert book.

RFP26: Frozen Raw Desserts - Laura-Jane The Rawtarian explains how to make raw frozen desserts such as raw fudge, raw chocolates, raw pies, raw cheesecakes and raw ice cream!

Raw Discussions:

RFP08: Finding Balance - Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw - Laura-Jane's husband, Cameron, shares how he started out as a vegetarian, and then moved to vegan and now to high raw. He brings a practical perspective to healthy eating and shares some great tips on how to find balance in your life. 

RFP09: Get off the bus! - Laura-Jane shares a powerful story about "riding a bus" as a metaphor for healthy eating. Lots of inspiration for helping you deal with people in your life who are not supportive of your way of eating.

RFP33: Raw or Not! - In this episode, Laura-Jane shares general principles shared by the raw food community regarding which ingredients are raw or not. She also answers FAQs regarding raw food.

RFP32: Decision-Free Living - Laura-Jane shares the concept of "decision-free living" and how implementing a simple rule can help you make better food decisions every single day with way less mental effort.

RFP24: How raw food changed my life - In this episode, Laura-Jane tells a longer version of her story of how she went raw many years ago and hasn't looked back since. What makes her story unique is that she had no plans of going raw for the long term! 

RFP25: New year, new you - Laura-Jane The Rawtarian ponders our love/hate relationship with new year's resolutions. She then details 3 changes you can focus on to help you make lasting change in your life when it comes to food.

RFP13: Vegan Protein - Laura-Jane  shares a simple concept of what protein is and where you can get proteins in a plant-based, vegan diet.

RFP23: How to eat healthy every day - In this episode, Laura-Jane shares some thoughts & tips about emotional eating.  Set yourself up for success by applying these tips to your raw food lifestyle!

The Rawtarian:

RFP15: Recipe Organization - App Launch - In this episode of The Raw Food Podcast, Laura-Jane talks about how she uses her recipes (cookbooks, printouts, eBooks, etc.). She and Cameron (her husband) also chat about The Rawtarian's Raw Recipes app.

RFP29: Zen and the Art of Cookbooks - In this episode, Laura-Jane celebrates her new print cookbook, which is a major milestone in her life. But this episode is more about the zen of achieving big goals (like publishing a cookbook or losing a substantial amount of weight or achieving another big "event") than about the cookbook itself. 

Raw Kitchen

RFP07: Raw Appliances -  Laura-Jane explains the order in which she purchased her raw food kitchen appliances, including cheap blender, food processor, high-speed blender and dehydrator. She also briefly touches on secondary appliances like spiralizers and juicers.

RFP16: How to Dehydrate - In this episode, Laura-Jane tells you how to successfully dehydrate!

RFP04: Food Processing -  Laura-Jane dishes all the dirt on making raw food recipes in a food processor! What's a food processor, how is it different from a blender, do you need both, and some examples of recipes you can make in a food processor.

Raw Tips & Techniques:

RFP30: Simplify your own recipes - Learn how to simplify recipes yourself! Laura-Jane outlines the main types of ingredient categories (sweeteners, thickeners, creamers, binders) & shares her top tips for ingredients you can eliminate to simplify your raw recipe! 

RFP02: How To Eat Raw on a Budget - In this episode, Laura-Jane The Rawtarian provides four tips on how to eat raw on a budget.

RFP31: Traveling and Eating Healthy - In this episode, Laura-Jane shares her tip & tricks for staying healthy 'on the road.'

RFP35: Sprouting The Easy Way - Learn how to grow fresh sprouts using only a mason jar, some cheesecloth, and sproutable seeds! For detailed instructions, check out her written instructions here.

RFP05: Nut Substitutions - Laura-Jane goes into detail on how to make nut substitutions in raw food recipes. She outline three main groups of nuts/seeds: creamy nuts, flour-like nuts, and oily nuts.

RFP34: Healthy Sweeteners - Laura-Jane outlines which raw sweeteners she uses, including fruits, maple syrup, agave nectar, unpasteurized honey and stevia.  Also, at the end of the episode she discusses low-glycemic and high-glycemic sweeteners.

Raw Guests:

RFP21: Guest David Backus, Raw Chef - In this episode, Laura-Jane chats with David Backus of Local Organic Lunch, a raw food accessible eatery in Denver, Colorado. They also discuss how important it is to visit your local raw and organic food vendors.

RFP22: Guest Jinjee from The Garden Diet - In this episode, Laura-Jane speaks with Jinjee Talifero, a homeschooling mother of 5 raw vegan children, the co-founder of www.thegardendiet.com and author of “Raising Raw Vegan Children.”

RFP28: Guest Gina Silvestri -  Laura-Jane interviews Gina Silvestri, a Life Coach, radio host and Certified Reiki Practitioner. Seven years ago, Gina weighted 300 pounds and had 17 official medical diagnoses. She healed herself naturally through raw food. 

RFP18: Guest Jodi Lebrun, Holistic Life Coach - Laura-Jane talks with Jodi Lebrun in this episode. Jodi is a Holistic LIfe Coach and a Yoga Lifestyle Educator whose passion is helping women to re-connect with themselves through Yoga, Ayurveda and Creativity. 

RFP17: Guest Andreea Fegan from Little Bites of Joy - Laura-Jane interviews Andreea Fegan. Andreea is a certified Raw Chef and Raw Foods Teacher (Levels 1-3), and a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, affiliated with SUNY. She also offers classes and workshops on raw and vegan topics.

Raw soup recipes are on of my favourite quick meals to make. They are just as easy as green smoothies, but they are perfect for when you want something savory instead of sweet. For many years I was a bit turned off by the "idea" of raw soup recipes. Somehow, I just didn't think that they would be appealing!

It was raw cream of celery soup (recipe linked below) that first got me enthused about the fact that raw soups could, in fact, be savory, creamy and so delicious.

You will notice that all of these soups call for cashews. That's the hidden ingredient to make them creamy and satisfying! All of these recipes are one-step raw soup recipes -  just throw in blender, blend and throw some chunky veggies in the bowl for added texture. Raw soup!

Here is a quick list of some of my favorite raw soup recipes:

Raw cream of celery soup recipe:

Raw cream of celery soup should really only be made in a high-speed blender since celery can be stringy. But this is a surprisingly tasty and refreshing soup.

Give it a try as your first soup if you have a high-speed blender (like a VitaMix or a BlendTec). If your blender isn't very good try to make cream of mushroom or tomato soup instead.

Raw cream of mushroom soup recipe:

Fancy something super creamalicious and filling? Try this raw cream of mushroom soup recipe.

I was raised on cream of mushroom soup as a kid, so this is something that I like to make when I want some raw comfort food.

Raw tomato soup recipe:

This raw tomato soup recipe tastes just like Campbell's Soup. I'm not kidding! Sweet and tart at the same time - this simple recipe is a delight.

This recipe calls for fresh tomatoes and one slice of sundried tomato.

Raw corn chowder recipe:

Corn chowder, creamy corn chowder in raw format. Yes, it's possible. Yes, it's sweet and creamy.

Ideally you would use fresh corn sliced right off the cob, but if you're in a rush you could try canned. Not truly raw but a great time saver.

Raw broccoli soup recipe:

Raw broccoli soup is last on my list because broccoli is not exactly everybody's favourite flavor. However, if you are already a pro at making raw soups and you already know how good they can be - then go ahead and whip up this raw broccoli soup if you are in the mood for a nice change and a deep broccoli flavor.

This can be a great way to use up a lot of broccoli if you need to eat it up in a hurry. 

Raw soup recipes 

Raw soup recipes are on of my favourite quick meals to make. They are just as easy as green smoothies, but they are perfect for when you want something savory instead of sweet. Give one a try!

What is a “raw vegan” or a "raw fooder"? A raw vegan is someone who eats only raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds–none of which are ever heated above 105f (40.6 celcius). More than just carrot sticks and salads, raw food is a movement about eating living foods and living well! Raw food recipes include pastas, cakes, cookies, and chips... all made from real, living food.

When you start reading about raw food, you'll immediately notice people talking about Vitamix blenders, Excalibur dehydrators, fancy juicers, and julienne/spirooli slicers.

Do not be alarmed! You do not need all of these things right away!

Raw food appliances – What’s necessary and what isn’t

Arguably, you will never need all of these things.

Just relax and take it slow.

1. Get inspired

The very first step toward becoming a raw fooder is to get inspired. Unless you're excited about raw food, you're not going to make it!

So get excited and inspired by raw food. For some people it might be the concept of weight loss that's inspiring. For others, inspiration might be in terms of anti-aging, the healthful benefits, or simply just living a lifestyle that feels right.

For me, a bit of weight loss was definitely in order, but the most important thing for me was in terms of energy boost.

Whatever the reason, get inspired!

2. Get one recipe source

The next step is to get yourself one really good book or recipe website that hopefully combines a bit of education (but not too much because I find yammering on about nutrition and protein pretty boring!) and some really good basic recipes. I started with "Uncooking with Raw Rose: Your Guide to Raw Foods" which must be a good book because it has been the only book I've bought so far! It explains pretty much everything you need to know in just enough detail.

But of course now I just recommend you hang out here with me at www.therawtarian.com :)  But don't overwhelm yourself too much. Just pick one book or website and stick with it.

3. Blender

In terms of kitchen appliances, when I first jumped into raw food I had very few kitchen appliances:

I owned normal dishes and utensils, had a fridge and a stove, and I owned a $30 blender.

That's pretty much it.

I used my $30 blender for the first six months. During that time, I saved up for a Vitamix blender.  I bought my Vitamix after I was fully raw for about 6 months. I still use it today.

4. Food processor

After a week on raw food, I began getting tired of salads and smoothies. I wanted a way to really blend my food so that I could make chocolate truffles and that kind of thing. I was able to make truffles in the blender, but it took a long time and was difficult to clean.

After two weeks, I made my first raw food appliance purchase: a food processor. I bought it at my local hardware store. It was low-end and it cost me approximately $50. Why did I buy a food processor first? Well, it was pretty cheap and allowed me to do so much more than what I was doing before.

I am a pretty frugal (read: cheap!) person so I make a lot of decisions based on price. I wouldn't order a food processor online. I'd just buy one locally because they are easy to find.

The food processor was awesome. It really changed my eating habits. I found the food processor most beneficial because it allowed me to:

• slice and grate my food. For example, I could easily and quickly slice beets and carrots for use in salads. Serving the vegetables in a different way really changes the flavours and textures. (Trust me.);
• make larger batches of things that I could kind-of make in the blender, such as chocolate truffles;
• make recipes like hummus, veggie pate, carrot cake, etc. I couldn't make these in my cheap blender because the blender was too small and didn't blend everything properly.

I was totally happy with just the food processor, a crappy blender (and a coffee grinder) for about two months.

5. Coffee grinder (for nuts)

Around the same time that I bought the food processor I bought a coffee grinder.

Coffee grinders are used to grind small nuts or seeds. For example, flax seeds. Flax seeds are extremely useful in raw food recipes. They become kind of gelatinous and are used to bind food together. For example, in cookie recipes or veggie burger recipes.

The reason that you want to buy a coffee grinder in addition to a blender and/or a food processor is because flax seeds, for example, are TINY! And they are difficult--if not impossible--to properly grind unless they're in something like a coffee grinder.

After two months, I was getting bored with my staple foods and recipes. It was time to get into dehydrating!

Note: you can buy pre-ground flax seeds (called flax seed meal) that may eliminate your need for a coffee grinder.

6. Dehydrator

Yes, yes, real raw food people want the Excalibur dehydrators.

Excalibur is the undisputed champion in the raw food dehydrating world.

Most people get the 9-tray Excalibur dehydrator.

BUT, being as cheap as I am, I scoured the internet and bought a cheaper 8-tray version, called the VegiKiln. It was half the price!

7. Accessories 

Just like any hobby or lifestyle, there are many fun and addictive accessories that one can spend money on. I try to really limit my spending on my raw food lifestyle.

A lot of people buy:

• juicers;
• slicers;
• fancy measuring cups;
• fancy storage containers;
• and who knows what else.

The one thing that I realllllllllllllly wanted was a julienne/spirooli slicer so that I could make "noodles" out of zucchinni etc. I didn't splurge on one of these until I'd been raw for a few years. But I wish I'd done it sooner because I actually use it frequently to make zucchini noodles.

The best recommendation I can give in terms of buying raw food appliances is to start slowly. When you start day-dreaming about a juicer or a Vitamix or a dehydrator and are getting frustrated, it's probably time to get one.

Sauces and condiments are staples you don't want to live without as a raw vegan. Well, maybe you do, but I'm betting at least one of the following recipes will catch your eye (and your tastebuds!). Raw ketchup, raw mayo and raw sour cream are all condiments that add pizzazz to everyday recipes. Same with sauces like raw cheese sauce, raw tomato sauce and raw Alfredo sauce.

Now I can hear you thinking, "But these recipes sound like they are hard to make!" Not true. All of these sauces and condiments are whipped up easily in your blender. Plus, they all taste fantastic, so you have no excuse! Which of the following sauces and condiments appeal to you the most?

Raw Cheese Sauce

This dreamy Raw Cheese Sauce is a staple in my kitchen. Serve it fresh out of your high-speed blender while it's still warm! I love drizzling this cashew-based sauce over broccoli... yum!

This sauce takes on a firmer consistency after refrigeration - kinda like cheez whiz!

Raw Tomato Sauce

For a super versatile sauce, look no further than this Raw Tomato Sauce recipe! Think pizza sauce and spaghetti sauce. Serve over kelp or zucchini noodles. Fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil form the basis of this recipe: it is quite strong, so a little goes a long way!

This sauce will keep in your fridge for up to three days.

Raw Alfredo Sauce

This creamy cashew-based Raw Alfredo Sauce is another sauce you must add to your repertoire. Believe me when I say that it's superior to the 'real' stuff. It's that delicious! For a quick meal, serve over zucchini or kelp noodles.

All you need is a blender for this recipe - it's super easy!

Raw Ketchup

No fridge is complete without ketchup, am I right? Fresh tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes and dates (secret ingredient!) form the base of this delicious Raw Ketchup. I must add that no veggie burger is complete without raw ketchup, either!

Super easy to make: all you need is a blender.

Raw Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is another can't-live-without condiment! This Raw Mayonnaise recipe will suit your needs, whether you're slapping some on a veggie burger, or using it as a rich, tasty dip for veggies.

Macadamia nuts are the surprise ingredient in this raw mayonnaise recipe!

Raw Sour Cream

Are you a sour cream fan? Then you'll love this cashew-based Raw Sour Cream recipe! It's super easy to make - all you need is a blender!

Raw sour cream + raw tacos = a win-win taste explosion!

Yes please to sauces and condiments!

I have to eat my broccoli covered with cheese sauce. And my veggie burger slathered with ketchup and mayo. Tacos and sour cream, of course! These are all classic combinations that are tried and true, but you don't have to stop there. Use your imagination for maximum taste sensation!