Simply Raw

Happy New Year to all! I have been very quiet as I was unconnected during the Christmas break, but am back with renewed inspiration and extremely excited at the prospects and potential this year brings on all levels. I would like to thank all of you who have subscribed to this blog, and those who have posted very encouraging comments – this is a very precious source of support when one is on a road less traveled. I continue to feel that the time is right to spread the raw food message in this part of the world, and I will certainly do my best to make sure it happens.

The beginning of a New Year is the perfect time to make positive and constructive resolutions to look better after oneself, one’s health and one’s general well being. Raw food is really a fantastic way to reach those goals, so why not give it a try? Many raw food enthusiasts around the world (there are more than you know) are now embarking on early year cleanses and juice fasts, but it doesn’t have to be that strict. As mentioned before, go one step at a time and see what happens. Try the almond milk if you haven’t already, and seize this wonderful early year energy and inspiration to get something new started NOW. One easy way is to introduce juices or smoothies or both in your daily routine. Let’s start with smoothies. I traveled to the mountains with my loyal blender and was grateful for the few very simple smoothies I prepared when returning from a skiing expedition. Try this one, it cannot be simpler.

Blueberry Mango Smoothie

1. Place 1 peeled banana, 1 peeled mango and a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries (more likely at this time of year) in your blender.
   Any blender will do for preparing smoothies, which are similar in texture to the milk shakes of our youth.
2. Add 1 cup of fresh water and blend.
3. If you have a sweet tooth, add one or several pitted fresh dates, or some honey or some Agave nectar or syrup. This natural sweetener is extracted from a Mexican plant. It is sweeter than honey but less viscous. Its glycemic index is apparently lower than most if not all other natural sweeteners on the market. In Switzerland most health food stores carry it.

This simple smoothie is delicious and filling. There are endless variations of smoothies so get carried away, using either fresh seasonal fruit when possible otherwise frozen as a good alternative. Bananas are a fantastic base but not absolutely essential. Just mix fruit with water to reach your preferred texture and enjoy! I will soon tell you about the wonder of green smoothies, which you prepare by adding any greens to the fruit base. Adding fruit juices or smoothies to your daily diet can do wonders in filling you in a healthy way and keeping you away from unhealthy snacks. They are great for breakfasts or snacks at any time of day so if you have never tried one before, do it now. You will see how easy, quick and simple they are, and so much tastier than the kinds you find on supermarket shelves which almost always contain dairy and are most probably pasteurized. With these freshly made smoothies you will provide your body and soul with all the benefits of raw foods!

Before I close for today, let’s also remember that a salad can be a glorious meal in and of itself. Again the varieties here are endless. Here is one I fixed in just a few minutes the other day. I recentl y realized that salads to which you add fresh sprouts can be very nutritious and filling. There is no need, as I used to think, to add cheese or other animal protein when you can combine vegetables, fruit and even seeds and nuts if you feel like it. It constitutes an entire meal for me, and honestly, one of my favorites! Each salad I make is different and more appetizing than the previous one, especially if you play around with the dressings, so don’t spoil the fun and be inventive!