Hi friends,

Now that I have this new blog I am feeling a bit nervous about what to write about! I have been pretty focused on providing really valuable content (AKA my recipes!!) that will be of help to you.

And I want this blog to do the same. I will continue posting new raw food recipes, but I will also use this place to write articles or blog posts that you will find super helpful (rather than just yammering on about my day-to-day life!)

In order to help you, I would love you to offer suggestions (by comment or email to lj@therawtarian.com) re: the type of questions you have or articles you'd like to read from me.

I look forward to hearing your questions or ideas about what would be interesting/useful to you.

Thank you so much, I appreciate you.

Raw vegan recipes are about more than plain old boring uncooked veggies. There are actually many types of raw vegan recipes ranging from sweet to savory and from -- and from tidbits and meals to desserts. There are even recipes that your non-vegan friends will delightfully dig!

Salads

Who says salads should be boring? True, they can be boring sometimes, especially if you’re having the same recipes over and over again. However, salads are really handy to have around as part of your raw vegan arsenal because they’re quick and easy to make. Basically you just have to dump the ingredients together into a bowl and enjoy! But with my raw vegan recipes, you can turn a plain salad into a tasty and delicious dish! Why don’t you try making some raw salad for lunch, raw cashew apple salad, or raw avocado dulse salad?

Smoothies

Raw smoothies are one of yummiest healthy blends.  The ingredients are broken down and mixed together so well that they can actually disguise that "green" taste from your greens (like spinach and kale). This raw vegan recipe also allows your body to absorb more nutrients. Smoothies can be prepared with just a blender, and they’re really simple yet packed with substance. I personally like having my silky green smoothie in the mornings. I also have recipes for raw banana chai smoothies and raw lemonade smoothies, among many other raw smoothie recipes.

Savory sauces and dressings

Adding different raw sauces or dressings gives your dishes a boost in flavor. You can transform a boring dish into something amazing. Just blend the ingredients until you obtain the right consistency.

My raw cheese sauce recipe and my raw ranch dressing recipe are just two of the savory sauces and dressings you can try matching with a variety of companion raw vegan recipes.

Savory meals

Contrary to popular belief among non-raw vegan foodies, raw vegan recipes are not just about fruits and vegetables. Even vegans get tired of eating food with the same taste all day long! Sometimes you just can’t help but crave something savory. But you don’t have to give in to the temptation of junk and processed food because there are a number of savory raw food recipes you can enjoy.

Some of the recipes need to be dehydrated first so they can take a while to prepare a dish, but the steps are really easy to follow. You may want to try some of my savory recipes like raw salmon salad pate, simple raw guacamole, or a raw bacon lettuce tomato sandwich.

Dehydrated recipes

If you are a seasoned raw vegan, you’re likely to have a dehydrator. But if you don’t know what to do with it, I have several recipes you can try making. These dehydrated raw vegan recipes require a lot more time to make, but once you’ve tasted the fruits (or veggies) of your labor, you’ll find it worth the wait!

This raw zucchini bread recipe, raw onion bread recipe and raw veggie burger recipe are just some of my many tasty dehydrated recipes.

Cakes and pies

Those oh-so-heavenly-looking cakes and pies that you crave might be your kryptonite against your raw food diet. But hey! It’s possible to still stay raw while having some yummy gluten-free raw vegan delights. You might worry that they'll taste too "healthy," but, believe me, they don’t!

These absolutely healthy but delicious no-bake cakes and pies are really simple to make and most of them just need freezing to stay together. Some of these raw vegan recipes that you can try are raw carrot refrigerator cake, raw cranberry lemon cheesecake bites, and raw banana cream pie.

Other raw vegan recipes

Want more luscious sweets for your vegan sweet tooth to explore? Well, there ARE more raw vegan recipes to satisfy your cravings for desserts. They are guaranteed guilt-free from sugar and gluten, but they’re also amazingly sweet! Most desserts just need mixing and chilling before you can indulge in their sweet pleasure. How about giving these raw desserts recipes a try: raw chocolate mousse, creamy raw fruit chia pudding, and raw vanilla drop cookies.

Which one will you make first?

I don’t know about you, but thinking about all these yummy raw vegan recipes are making me hungry. Who knew there were so many options you could try when going raw?  Don't be intimidated because these raw recipes are not as complicated as they look.

When I first started learning how to make green smoothies I would follow recipes rigidly.

There are thousands of free green smoothie recipes online. Just google them or buy a book. (Victoria Boutenko's Green Smoothie Revolution has everything you ever wanted to know about green smoothies.)

But now that I'm used to making green smoothies myself, I've taught myself how to make green smoothies that work for me.

I don't like them to taste too green, so I generally keep the ratios as follows:

In my blender I add:

• 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water
• A large handful of greens (spinach, romaine lettuce, carrot tops, etc.)
• Approximately a banana and an apple's worth of sweet fruit

Adding bananas to your smoothie

I almost always use a banana in my green smoothies because bananas make the texture so smooth. If my green smoothie tastes too green, I'll add a date or two (medjool dates are my favourite), some fresh sweet pineapple, or a sweetener such as raw agave nectar.

Depending on what I've added to my green smoothie the liquid will congeal really quickly. For example, by the time I've finished drinking my first cup the remainder in the blender will be all strange looking and congealed. Usually I'll just blend it up again for a few seconds and it will return to the more liquid state, which I prefer.

The Rawtarian's favorite smoothie

My favourite, simple, economical green smoothie is as follows:

• 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water
• A medium handful of romaine lettuce (or two big lettuce leaves, ripped into small bits)
• One banana
• One apple (or just half an apple if you like it thinner)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Learning how to make green smoothies is a snap. Start with some good, clear recipes. After you've made about twenty or thirty green smoothies, you'll notice that there are some definite commonalities to the ratios of fruit to greens. You'll be making your own raw smoothie concoctions in no time.

Happy blending!

People frequently ask me, "Laura-Jane, what does your average raw food day look like?"

My day is not this totally different, fancy raw recipes type of day - no, I tend to eat simply, and I return to my favorites over and over. Every day includes lots of veggies and fruits. And I pretty much start every day with a big 'ol green smoothie!

To start the day...

My go-to brekkie is a large  Silky Green Smoothie. Packed with goodies like bananas, oranges, apples and spinach, it's the perfect start to my busy days.

If I'm in the mood for something different, I go for the Raw Oatmeal, Raw Breakfast Bowl, or Raw Porridge. These recipes are not only delicious and filling, they are easy to make - important when you're running late!

Make sure to fuel yourself up for the day with a hearty breakfast! It will set you up with lots of energy to tackle the rest of your day.

It's lunch time!

Lunch is often a salad topped with either Walnut Pate or Salmon Salad Pate. Sooo tasty!

And I love soups! A bowl of Celery Soup with raw crackers, or a bowl of Tomato Soup with a side of raw hummus = the perfect lunch! I'll also include a small side salad (super easy, like spinach with cherry tomatoes).

And for supper...

Mmm, what to have for supper? I like to have a hearty supper at the end of the day (complete with dessert of course!)

So many awesome raw recipes to choose from, but I usually go for my favorites:

• 5-Minute Spaghetti - Walnuts add the hearty texture to this simple yet dee-lish recipe!
• Macaroni and Cheese with Zucchini Noodles - a meal everyone will love, even the kids!
• Taco Salad - Walnut-based and oh, so good!
• Raw Pizza - Almond-based crust topped with pesto, pineapple, green pepper, sun dried tomatoes, mushies = YUM!

Note: I usually make a small salad for supper, as well - loaded up with lots of my fave veggies.

Gotta have dessert!

I love dessert: who doesn't? My dessert picks are Brownies, Chocolate Shortbread Bars, and Sesame Seed Bars. No, not all at once! Although the idea is tempting!

If I'm extra peckish, perhaps a piece of fruit to go-with. 

Don't forget the snacks!

I don't like feeling hungry. So I usually eat two snacks every day. First one mid-morning, the second in the afternoon (not long before supper!). Not letting yourself go hungry is key to success. When you are starving, you either make poor food choices, or you give up on going raw. Allowing yourself snacks helps you stay fuller and feel happier!

A typical snack for me is two apples, or one banana, or a handful of nuts. Perhaps a small slice of brownie, or maybe a handful of crackers straight from the freezer. Hmm, I think I want a snack right now!

There ya have it!

Now you have an idea of what my raw food intake looks like. Most days I stick to simple favorites. Other days I fancy things up for a special occasion. And I definitely have days where I'm craving something different. Depends on my mood, time of year, motivation... !

So, find your favorite recipes and enjoy them... a lot. Just as you used to eat your SAD favorites, so it is with eating raw. If knocking back a big green smoothie every morning (afternoon, evening), is your thing, then stick with it! You may eat more or less than me, and that's fine. Your body will tell you what's working for you - listen to it!

Simple raw food recipes are the best raw recipes hands-down.

It's no secret that a raw diet requires a bit (or a LOT!) of planning and some advance preparation for certain dishes. However, that doesn't mean that your raw food recipes have to be complicated—in fact, quite the contrary is true! Eating a raw diet is definitely part of a lifestyle, but preparing meals doesn't have to consume your life.

Simple raw food recipes should be the back-bone of your daily eating routine, and here are four reasons why simple raw recipes are best:

1. Simple raw recipes save time 

A huge trap for people eating a variety of diets—from SAD all the way to vegetarians and vegans—is reaching for pre-packaged convenience foods. Why? Because they require little to no time to prepare, and can be easily transported when you're on the go.

By loading your arsenal with simple raw food recipes and utilizing a little menu planning, you can prepare simple, versatile foods to grab throughout the week, as well as have plenty of choices for when you need to whip something up quickly (or satisfy a craving)!

Try this simple raw recipe: Raw brownies in 10 minutes

2. Simple raw recipes mean that you'll stay versatile 

Most people thrive on variety (it is, after all, the spice of life), and it should definitely not be neglected in your diet. When making a drastic dietary change, it can be easy to get stuck in a flavor-rut, but by familiarizing yourself with simple raw food recipes you will open yourself up to a whole new world of raw culinary delights. The obvious beauty of following simple recipes is efficiency and easy, non-intimidating prep. However, as you master fundamental techniques and get comfortable with the raw diet staples and basic recipes, you can begin to experiment with different flavor combinations to create delicious and truly unique dishes.

Try this simple raw recipe: Creamy celery soup in 10 minutes

3.  Simple raw recipes are maintainable 

Blending, pureeing, chopping, chilling, dehydrating, sprouting, planning—it can become overwhelming if every meal is a chore. By having a strong foundation of simple raw food recipes to fall back on, you can take a break from heavy-prep and more time-consuming recipes without falling off the wagon. Knowing that you can take it easy while still maintaining your raw diet is crucial to your success. And it doesn't hurt to know that you can whip up some 1-minute raw chocolate fudge on a moment's notice, either!

Try this simple raw recipe: Raw chocolate fuge in 1 minute

4.  Simple raw recipes are best because success is contagious 

You'd be hard-pressed to find someone who isn't interested in hearing the secrets to your success—how you lost the weight, cleared up your skin, seem to have so much more energy—but much of our society is focused on quick-fix solutions and low-effort trends. The real “secret” is that there are no magic pills or food sprinkles that will make you feel as incredible as going raw will. And with simple recipes to follow, and real results to motivate, sharing this message is easy!

Try this simple raw recipe: Raw alfredo sauce

Find your own favorite simple raw recipe

Looking for simple raw recipes to start your raw journey? Check out The Rawtarian's Raw Recipe Index, for simple, satisfying raw recipes. Whether you are just beginning your raw food journey, or you're a seasoned veteran looking for something new (raw carrot cake, anyone?) you're sure to find something to delight your taste buds!

I trust you've had an eventful and food-filled holiday season! If you're anything like me, you're looking forward to getting back on track when it comes to your health.

You're invited to take my 14-day low-fat raw cleanse to reboot your habits and body for 2020. If you want to reach your ideal weight and give your body a well-deserved reboot, register today for this low-fat raw cleanse. Registration now open for a limited time: www.therawtarian.com/rawcleanse
 
I encourage you to move towards better health in 2020. As you head into the new year, listen to the faint whisper of your heart in all areas of your life, because goals and dreams don't get much louder than a whisper--and it's in your power to take that whisper and give it the attention it deserves.
 
Start 2020 by feeling better than ever about yourself. Get a preview of the cleanse (and all the free bonuses!) right now: www.therawtarian.com/rawcleanse (Registration closes January 31th.)

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!

Craving a raw, delicious salad? Here are three salads and a great ranch dressing that are super easy to make, which is important when you’re on the run or whipping them up at work. Don’t worry, you don’t have to chop up a huge pile of vegetables. Raw salads work best with just a few ingredients. This way, the simple flavours meld together for maximum flavor!

For extra zip, top your raw salads with raw ranch dressing. (recipe below)

1. Avocado and tomato delight

This is my favourite prepare-right-at-work salad. Avocadoes and carrots make for a creamy/crunchy contrast – no dressing required! For a quick lunch fix, give this easy, raw salad a try. I've taken this to work literally dozens of times when I am in a rush in the mornings! Just grab an avo, tomato and a carrot and you're DONE!

2. Raw avocado seaweed salad

Here is a tasty, but easy raw salad.  Give dulse seaweed a try if you haven’t already. Optional raisins up the sweetness factor.

3. Raw ranch salad dressing

Raw ranch dressing tastes just like the ‘real deal!’ Satisfy your ranch craving with this easy cashew-based raw ranch dressing recipe. Toss all the ingredients in your blender… and blend. Done!  And yes, it actually tastes like Hidden Valley!

4. Raw taco salad

This raw taco salad recipe is one of my favorite raw salads of all time. The "taco filling" is super filling and hearty. This recipe will make you get excited about having a salad!

Which raw salad recipe will you try today?

Believe me, these raw salad recipes are fast and easy. Try one today and see for yourself! Salads don't have to be boring. They should explode on the tongue!

And remember. Simple = best. Too many flavours = a dull, brownish flavour that blends together into a blah of boring nothingness!

We keep hearing that it’s always healthier and more practical to eat meals prepared at home. Yet, one of the reasons that may hinder you from eating healthy is battling a love-hate relationship with the kitchen. (Or maybe you've developed an aversion towards kitchen chores – namely uncooking and cleaning up afterwards.) Cooking can be a bothersome task, and waiting in front of your stove/oven for your food just takes too long sometimes. And so you may wind up picking up the phone and dialing for the fastest take-out restaurant to deliver or reaching for instant meals. 

Wouldn’t it be nice to eat healthy and take only as much time as it would take you to make that call for take-out? Well, I have the perfect list of raw food recipes for people who don’t like to cook! And these recipes don’t have any need for many kitchen tools other than a blender and a food processor, so you don’t really have to worry about cleaning up a big mess afterwards. I know that may sound too good to be true, but it is (true, that is). You’ll be amazed how easy and satisfying eating deliciously healthy raw food can be!

Raw egg salad recipe

Nope, this recipe doesn’t really have any eggs that you normally would have to cook. It’s more like an "eggless" egg salad! But trust me, this raw egg salad recipe tastes just like an authentic egg salad!

Just dump cashews, water, lemon juice, turmeric, garlic cloves and sea salt into your powerful blender and blend until you get that very nice and creamy hollandaise sauce-like texture. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and mix in chopped celery and red bell pepper until everything is coated. Lastly, top it with a dash of pepper and paprika then eat it. Bon appétit!

Raw vegan chicken salad recipe

Here’s a great way to eat a vegan "chicken" dish without chicken. To make this tasty raw vegan chicken salad recipe, you’ll need your food processor. So get it from your cabinet and start uncooking.

Simply process (for a few seconds) all the ingredients – sunflower seeds, cashews, pecans, cucumber, red onion, apple, celery stalk, fresh or dried dill, lemon juice and sea salt together into chunky bits. Don’t process for too long! You may want to let the flavors combine by leaving it for about half an hour, but it’s best to consume it immediately because it doesn’t keep well. You’re right; this recipe is pretending to be chicken meat even though it doesn’t taste like chicken. But the texture is just like that of a chicken salad.

Raw marinated mushroom recipe

Three ingredients: mushrooms, olive oil and raw soy sauce. You can handle that, right? And what's more, this raw marinated mushroom recipe needs no equipment at all! That means no cleaning up! Well maybe you’d have to wash your plate after eating, of course.

But kidding aside, all you need to do is pour oil and soy sauce over your sliced mushrooms in a deep plate and gently stir. Allow the mushroom to sit for about five minutes and enjoy. If you want to spice it up a bit, you can also add your choice of garnish like sesame seeds or green onions. It’s all up to you! These mushrooms are perfect salad toppers.

Raw chocolate mousse recipe

What about dessert, you say? You don’t need to bake or need any fancy cookware either! In fact, you can make a number of simple and sweet desserts in just five minutes or less.

Try making this raw chocolate mousse recipe by processing avocado, banana, coconut oil, cacao powder, a sweetener, and sea salt in a food processor until very nice and smooth. Scoop into your choice of dishes or small cups and refrigerate for an hour before serving. Easy, yes? Yes!

These recipes are for you

So if you are one of those people who simply can’t get acquainted with your stovetop or oven, then these are the perfect raw food recipes for people who don’t like to cook. Why not try whipping up your own delicious no-cook meal?

Today's lunch menu is all about flavor, people! If your lunches have been a little 'meh' lately, here's some inspiration. It's time to wake those tastebuds up!

Start off with a bowl of fiery chili accompanied by some oh-so-delectable raw bread (yes, there is such a thing!). Next up: salad! Treat yourself to a colourful Fiesta salad, or toss a green salad with a red pepper dressing for maximum 'yum' factor!

Raw Chili

This hearty Raw Chili packs a flavor punch. The surprise ingredient: walnuts! Tomatoes, celery and carrots (and chili powder, of course!) also feature in this must-try recipe.

If you used to love chili in the 'old' days, you'll adore this raw vegan alternative!

Raw Bread - Moist Spongy Loaves

Thinking you need a chunk of fresh bread to go with that chili? Well, this Moist Spongy Loaves recipe has come to your rescue! Soft, supple and scrumptious, and no, I'm not exaggerating!

Psyllium husk is what gives this bread its spongy texture.

Raw Fiesta Salad

Summer is the best time to enjoy this colorful Raw Fiesta Salad. Fresh corn is what makes this salad pop, along with cherry tomatoes, onions and basil.

To easily remove corn niblets: remove outer husk, snap corn cob in half with your hands, place vertically on cutting board and slice downwards.

Raw Red Pepper Dressing

If you want to add some zip to your big ol' green salad, check out this Raw Red Pepper Dressing. This nut-free dressing is simple to make and subtly tangy.

Fresh ginger adds pizzazz but is optional.

Lunch-time, here we come!

You don't have to hit a restaurant to eat scrumptious, snazzy meals like this. With these simple recipes, you can jazz up lunch time like a pro. It's good to rock the raw lunch boat on occasion, don't you think?