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Costs of going Raw
Hi
The idea of raw is not a new one to me. I like the sound of it, yummy. I haven’t actually done a lot about it. I know myself, and know that i will have to do it so that I get as much variety as possible. The change will have to include family, as I guess going it alone is going to be difficult. I don't want to alienate them, i wish to include them as much as possible.
I have developed some minor problems health wise, I have had difficulties generally that I did not accept or recognise were health related.
I lost my job due to taking too much time off sick, so financially I cannot afford high priced gadgets.
I don't like to the idea at restricting myself to this or that kind of raw food. Dehydrators and a powerful blender are I guess going to be essential?
I'm also looking for talks to attend in the West Midlands.
Please advise.
Regards
Ray
Views: 32
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hana Faiz on -
Hi Ray,
In my time as a raw foodie I have invested big money in the equipment and totally regretted it.
All the equipment is good and has it advantages but here is my experience.
First i bought a juicer. It was amazing at juice, but i wasn't fond of the taste and i developed piles from the lack of fiber. it was good initially though because it did help me to strengthen my digestion system.
Then i got the dehydrator. I loved the crackers and biscuits, flat breads and burgers. but after a few weeks i noticed my raw urges evolved and i was more satisfied with simple meals of choice ingredients, no longer feeling the need for time consuming gourmet raw.
Finally after selling all my items bought in haste and carbooting i got the vitamix. For me this is the ONE i couldn't live without! The advantages to owning the vitamix are astounding and was so worth the effort to find the funds on our pittance of an income.
I totally recommend it, and if you want it you can get a discount on the postage from Juiceland.com and buy it from vitamix.co.uk
I wish you well :)
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Permalink Reply by Ray on -
Hello Hana
Please tell me about the advantages to owning the vitamix.
And now, what are your simpler meal choices?
Ray
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Permalink Reply by Hana Faiz on
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Hello,
At the moment we're enjoying just going to the fridge with empty plate and choosing the fruit and veg we fancy eating. using more instinct now that addiction is overcome.
My initial reason for buying the Vitamix was influenced by Victoria Boutenko's 'Green for Life' book. I learned that it was necessary for optimum health to consume a lot of chlorophyll [green leaves]. The amount we actually need is roughly equivalent to 2 bags of spinach per person per day. I could never eat that much but with the vitamix it is easy to blend the greens with fruit to make it more appealing. I add seeds like flax or hemp and my old blenders [all 4] would never quite manage to blend the seeds or fruit pips to release all their goodness. The vitamix accomplishes the smoothest smoothie every time! There are so many advantages to smoothies done in the vitamix as opposed to juice or other blends. For 1 you get all the extremely valuable fibre. the plants are broken down to a molecular level that makes it so easy for our digestion to get all the nutrients. it has helped my hydrochloric acid levels and my anaemia. Also you can make juice with the vitamix if you need some for a recipe.
I also like the vitamix for its 'food processor' operations, making it so quick to make coleslaw or other chopped and diced vegetables. I have the Total Nutrition Centre model that is the newest. It's astounding. In 30 seconds i can make a batch of ice cream for my children that is so healthful at the same time as delicious. It also makes hot soup in about 5 minutes, but as I prefer raw food I take 2 mins to produce the most amazing warm soup. I find this very comforting on cold days or when i am looking for a savoury flavour.
Another useful task is making tahini from raw sesame seeds or nut butters effortlessly and I have saved a lot of money making my own nut or seed milks. my old blenders used to leave a lot of pulp in my sieve but the vitamix is so efficient there is nothing left to waste only more milk to enjoy.
its just my point of view but I hope that helps :)
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Permalink Reply by Jane Round on -
Hi Ray, I am new to all this too but I invested in a Blendtec, which I love, aminly because I am not much of a foodie really and I can whack in a load of fruit and geens and have something very nutritious in 45 seconds! It is so expensive though, sometimes I wonder if a top of the range 'normal' blender might have done me for now
If you like eating fruit and huge salads then you are srted really. I got a little mini food processor/chopper from Sainsbury's for less than £20 and it's great for mixing up sauces and raw treats with dates, etc.
Where are you in the Midlands? There is a woman in Moseley, Birmingham doing some raw intro classes for £50. I will look for the link if you're interested. I'm stuck in the WM's too................not much happening here!
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Permalink Reply by Ray on
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Hello Jane
I'm Junction 9, M6.
Yeah it all seem to be London stuff, doesn't it. The lady in Mosley is Marketa, there is an event on 10th September - it's under £30. Don't know if I'll be able to go. (see my original post).
I would really l;ike to get into the Raw idea i think I'll be the type to go the whole pig. But I do love meat, don't think I'll become a veggy.
I think I'll start with smoothies with nut milk, after that I don't yet know.
Thanks for your reply
Ray
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Permalink Reply by energise_ross on -
Hi
I second Hana's sentiments about the Vitamix, it's a great machine. However, don't discount the importance of juices. Granted you don't get the fibre, but by losing the fibre you make the nutrients in the juice much easier for the body to use. Plus if you're having, say a juice for brekkie in the morning and then going on to soups, smoothies and salads etc for the rest of the day you will be getting ample fibre.
I have to say one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life was to start each day with a fresh vegetable juice. The energy and vitality I feel from it is quite amazing.
Plus it is also flipping good to know you've had four or five serves of fresh green (chlorophyll-rich) veggies before you've even left the house in the morning!
So - juicer and blender are essential for me.
Ross
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Permalink Reply by Mark F on
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Hi Ray,
If you are looking for some cheap, almost new, kit, then you might be interested in what I have. I am also in the West Midlands, so you can collect and save on postage.
I was a raw-foody for about 6 months last year. I bought all the kit brand new, but found that the lifestyle just didn't suit me. I have a 5 tray Excalibur dehydrator with 26 hour timer that I am looking to sell. It has probably been used no more than 20 times. This costs £219 new. The paraflex sheets I bought separately for £25. I would be willing to sell them together for £190 (price new = £244) I think that is a fair price considering that they are in perfect condition.
I also have the following:
Green Star GS2000 which costs £395 new and has been used about 10 times. I would be willing to sell this for £325.
Vitamix 5000 Dry Container which costs £110 and used only once. Selling for £85.
If you are interested in any/all, please let me know. I could probably do a deal if you were interested in all 3.
Cheers
Mark
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Permalink Reply by Megan Ellis on
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Hi Mark - I have replied on the dehydrator thread as well but may be interested in buying your dehydrator. See other thread for more info
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Permalink Reply by Mark F on
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Hi Megan,
I sent you a private message, I think it's easier to communicate that way. Let me know if you don't have it.
Cheers
Mark
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Permalink Reply by Donna Beetham on -
Hi Ray! I would say that you definitely don't need to buy a dehydrator, or a powerful blender straight away. Personally, I have managed to get by with a magimix food processor, a cheap blender that i got from a charity shop for a fiver, and a coffee grinder from ebay which was about a tenner. Recipes that need a lot of blending might take me a few minutes longer than if I had a vitamix, but I don't really mind, as I still get good results. I did save up to get a de-hydrator, Ive had it about 6 months, but find it's very rarely used. I do wish I'd have put the money towards a powerful blender instead, but I will have one at some point, when I've got the cash.
Karen Knowler has a book of about 50 recipes I think, which don't require any dehydrating, or special equipment. There are always lots of recipes online for free too,
Happy Experimenting. Donna
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Permalink Reply by energise_ross on
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