Is it really possible to live ONLY on fruits, vegetables, nut and seeds? Make zillions of recipes out of only 4 basic categories of food? When I first heard about raw foods eating as a way of life, I thought that that was near impossible – ‘no way man, how do you do that?’ kind of thing. But I was curious enough to keep pondering the idea greatly. In fact I was fascinated in finding out, and seeing with my own eyes what foods you could make, and how you would create some variety. This was the seeking spirit I had behind attending pot-lucks parties.
Lets look at some of what those four groups are, and the abundance within them. And this list in nowhere near definitive by the way. Doug Graham, well known American Athletes Coach and Raw Foodist of over 25 years, told me once in a Retreat Workshop he was running that I attended, that he can eat over 200 fruits and at least 50 vegetables in the space of a year, just by following the seasons, and eating the natural foods that become available from Mother Earth in all their varieties. Baring in mind that most cook fooders eat out of habit the same type of meals, over and over again week in week out (as in 5-10 meals on average) 200/50+ is pretty impressive a range. Happy shopping for those who want to have a go eating from the list below, and every other plant food that is out there to be had. And go as organic as you can afford to, your body is worth it and much more…it’ll taste better, and be more nutrient-dense.
STAPLES AND ESSENTIALS FOR A GREAT DIET
FRUIT AND VEGETABLES
Apples
Aubergines
Avocados
Bananas
Basil
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Coriander
Courguettes
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumbers
Durian
Garlic
Ginger
Greens (i.e. kale, spinach, rocket, watercress, collard)
Grapes
Grapefruit
Jackfruit
Lychees
Peppers
Pears
Peaches
Plaintain Pulses
Lemons
Limes
Melons
Mint
Mushrooms
Oranges Olives Onions
Parsley
Sprouts
Sweet Potatoe
NUTS AND SEEDS
Almonds
Brazil Nuts
Cashews Coconuts
Flax Seeds
Hazel Nuts
Macadamia
Pecans
Pine Nuts
Pumpkin Seeds
Sesame Seeds, tan and black
Sunflower Seeds
Walnuts
OILS AND NUT BUTTERS
Almond Butter
Cashew Butter
Cacao Butter
Coconut Butter
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Avocado Oil
Flax Oil
Hemp Oil
Tahini, tan or black
DRIED FRUIT
Apricots
Cranberries
Dates
Goji Berries
Mulberries
Pineapple
Raisins
SEA VEGETABLES
Dulse
Nori sheets
Wakame
Arame
Sea Spagetti
SWEETNERS
Fresh Dates
Honey (cold-pressed)
Raw Agave Nectar
Stevia Xylitol
SPICES
Almond Extract
Basil, dried
Black Pepper
Cayenne, ground
Chili Powder
Cinnamon, ground
Coriander Seed
Cumin
Curry Powder
Dill
Dried Onion
Dried Garlic
Italian Seasoning
Mexican Seasoning
Mustard, Dry
Nutmeg
Oregano
Paprika
Poultry Seasoning
Psyllium Powder
Sage
Celtic Sea Salt
Tarragon
Thyme
Turmeric
Vanilla beans
Vanilla Essence
MISCELLANEOUS
Apple Cider Vinegar
Carob (or Cocoa) Powder
Jelly Coconuts
Organic fruit Juice
Miso, raw, white
Nama Shoyu
Ryeberries/Wheatberries
E3Live Fresh Algae Barley Grass Powder Wheat Grass Juice
Spirulina Superfoods, allsorted
Food State Supplements
The list goes on. Clearly the raw food diet is not about deprivation. It is a diet of abundance. To the extent that one is creative, the zillions of delicious gourmet meals can be accomplished into being, and eating with relish, with enzymes and with life-force.
