Raw Foods Archive

Salads are Not Just Lettuce!

Posted March 1, 2014 By Sandy

I get really frustrated when I go to a restaurant and order a salad — knowing it will be gluten free and vegan — and the waitress comes back with a plate full of lettuce and maybe a carrot or cucumber on the side!  That is NOT a salad!!  How come no one tells them that Salads are Not Just Lettuce??

I am the Salad Queen — I love salads!!  I’ve incorporated dozens of ways to make a salad with LOTS of different ingredients.  Check out some of my salad recipes here:

Salads can be made with lots of different ingredients that most people just don’t think of using.  Most of my salads are a meal within themselves!  Just by adding a few ‘extras’ you can have a satisfying meal too!  Check out the following tips to round out your salads:

  • Add beans:  My favorite is black beans, but you can use chickpeas or any of your favorite beans.  I have even added a can of Amy’s Black Bean Chili to my salads for a Mexi-Tex flavor.
  • Add grains:  My Quinoa Tabouli Salad is a perfect example of a grain salad — but you can also use rice or any whole grain in your salad.
  • Add starches:  White potatoes come to mind  — you can also try sweet potatoes, yellow potatoes, and red potatoes.
  • Add fruit:  I frequently add raisins to my salads, but craisins, apples, pears, grapes …. or your favorite fruit will work well.
  • Add pasta:  Gluten free pasta is a good filler for any salad. Just makes sure you have plenty of veggies so the pasta does not overpower the veggies.

Last, but not least, your salad dressing can make a big different in the tastes of your salad.  I am pretty plain, myself, as use one basic dressing — but there are a number of good salad dressings and dressing recipes out there to chose from.  Here are my two favorites: Gluten Free Vegan Salad Dressings

What ‘secret’ ingredient to you use in your salads??  Share with us!!

 

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Sprouting Your Grains and Seeds

Posted October 11, 2013 By Sandy

If you are not srouting or using sprouts in your recipes, you are losing a wonderful chance to add  a new and nutritious food for Gluten Free Vegans.

According to Wikipedia, “Sprouting is the practice of germinating seeds to be eaten raw or cooked. Sprouted foods are a convenient way to have fresh vegetables for salads, or otherwise, in any season and can be germinated at home or produced industrially.”  (Check out the informative article on Wikipedia explaining about sprouting.)

I am a member of a wonderful Facebook group called Raw Food Wild Riot — I know, funny name, but great members and shared content!  Although I have been sprouting for years, I have learned lots about the subject that I did not know before.

For instance, did you know that black bean sprouts are toxic?  Well, I sure didn’t (although I have never tried sprouting them before).

On the other hand, chickpeas, mung beans, peas, adzuki beans, and lentils are safe to eat raw sprouted.

I, personally, sprout mung beans, broccoli and clover seeds (unfortunately, my husband and I are allergic to alfalfa sprouts — which are most common sprouts — after mung beans, that is!).

If you have never sprouted before, or if you would like to know how to sprout seeds, check out the video below that was referenced on Raw Food Wild Riot:

(If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can check it out here:  http://youtu.be/xoaIpZZfcFc).

If you are interested in more details about sprouting grains, I suggest you check out the following article (NOTE:  The article does reference gluten grains, so use caution when applying the suggestions):  Health Benefits of Sprouting Grains.

Do you sprout?  If so, what grains or seeds so you use?

 

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8 Raw Foods to Add to Your Diet

Posted May 15, 2013 By Sandy

As you know, I have been paying more attention to the amount of raw food I have been eating lately.  Thankfully, the benefits of added Raw Food to your diet is becoming more widely known in the health community.

Salads are a pretty eSalad 3asy choice for eating raw foods every day, but variety is also a goal to strive for in your diet.

Today’s featured article is by Joyce del Rosario.  Here is her list of the 8 Raw Foods to Add to Your Diet:

foods that should be eaten raw

1. Coconut … is known to be one of the most effective natural hydrating foods there is, especially when eaten fresh and raw…

2. Leafy greens — Fresh leafy greens like kale, chard and spinach are full of vitamin C that boosts your immune system and also contain chlorophyll, a powerful antioxidant, as well as fiber, enzymes and amino acids

3. Fermented vegetables … are super easy to digest, as the fermentation process ensures that the starches are pre-digested, which makes it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients…

4. Sprouts … are the best “live” food you could eat, and are thought to provide more vitamins, minerals and enzymes per calorie than any other food, cooked or raw.

5. Blueberries … are one of the best sources of antioxidants and are excellent for improving brain function…

6. Nuts — Raw nuts like almonds, walnuts and cashews can lower the levels of bad cholesterol in your blood and are even thought to reduce the risk of blood clots by improving the lining of your arteries….

7. Chia seeds — If you want a food that contains fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium, then the chia seed is going to be your new favorite snack….

8. Cacao — Raw cacao is a great mood booster due to the phyto-chemicals it contains, which explains why so many people turn to chocolate when they are feeling low….

Make sure to check out the original post from This Rawsome Vegan Life for recipes using these raw food ingredients!

I was surprised to find that I am eating many of them, myself!  Hopefully, huckleberries are as good as blueberries — as huckleberries are very popular in the northern Rockies (Idaho state fruit!).  And I need to study and share more info and recipes with fermented foods …. not a big item in my diet.

How many of these nutrient dense raw foods are you eating?

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