One misconception I always had about raw foods was that it was all either terribly boring or way too involved for me to bother with. I had no interest in schlepping all over town for weird ingredients and buying special equipment online or spending 8 hours sprouting seeds and another 4 hours dehydrating them for an afternoon snack. While these things are definitely true sometimes, I've started dabbling a little in eating more raw food and I've realized that it's definitely doable.
So what exactly does raw mean? Although there are varying definitions, it's usually a vegan diet that consists of food that hasn't been heated above 104 to 115 degrees. (Different people have different preferences for the temperature.) Because some heating is allowed, dehydration is often used to "cook" raw foods.
I'm not a nutritionist, but the reason I've decided to incorporate more raw foods into my diet is because I believe that some foods are healthier when raw, while other foods are healthier when cooked. I'm not looking to go entirely raw, just seeking a little more balance, so I've been eating more raw lunches, snacks, and desserts lately. And guess what? I still don't have any special equipment or strange ingredients. There are lots of beginner-friendly raw recipes out there if you know where to look and, failing that, there are more and more prepared raw foods on the market today. Here are some of the resources I've been using:
Ordering Raw Food Online
Triangle Raw Foods // I have to mention my local favorite, Triangle Raw Foods! If you don't live in the Raleigh/Durham area, you can order their raw protein bars, salad dressings, sprout nut butters, and sweet, sweet candy online.
Raw Food Books
Annelie's Raw Food Power by Annelie Whitfield // I received a review copy of this book and I've been enjoying it, although there are a lot of recipes in here that require a dehydrator or ingredients I don't generally have on hand. My favorite recipe from the book, Pumpkin Pesto, is posted below. I toss it with raw vegetable noodles made with julienned yellow squash, zucchini, and carrots--so delicious! (And super easy too.) You can enter to win a copy of Annelie's Raw Food Power on the Marketplace this month too.
In The Raw: Small Indulgences from The Sweet Life // This ebook by Sarah from The Sweet Life is the second raw cookbook I bought. I am loving raw desserts right now and this book is full of them. There's also a guide to raw kitchen necessities, which is a great resource.
Practically Raw: Flexible Raw Recipes Anyone Can Make by Amber Shea Crawley // If, like me, you are a dabbler when it comes to this whole raw food thing, this book is for you. Flexible? Anyone can make? Yes, I clearly needed this book.
Going Raw by Judita Wignall // Another raw food book for beginners with lots of information on raw food preparation techniques like dehydration and sprouting.
Raw Food Blogs
Rawmazing // I love Rawmazing for its beautiful photography and unique recipes. Guess what else? Rawmazing has a store! So if you do feel inclined to buy some raw food equipment, you can buy it there.
Chef Amber Shea // Well, I love Practically Raw, so is it a surprise that I love the author's food blog too? This is another blog that includes some cooked dishes too, but the raw recipes have their own category.
See? Raw food doesn't have to be intimidating and it can definitely be more interesting than a handful of celery sticks or almonds.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 c. pumpkin seeds pepitas, soaked for 2 hours then drained
- ½ c. olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. raw honey
- 1 c. fresh basil leaves
- 1 tsp. sea salt
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients into a food processor and process until very smooth. (I like my pesto a little chunky, so I kind of ignored the very smooth part.)
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: The links to Amazon in this post are affiliate links, so if you were to make a purchase, I'd receive a small percentage of the sale price.
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
For awhile I was pretty high raw/vegan and clearly that's not the case now, but I can totally appreciate it and love to eat as much raw/vegan as I can. Along with some cookies and brownies 🙂
Kiersten says
Yeah, I don't think I could ever give up cookies or brownies. 🙂
Cassie | Bake Your Day says
Great post, Kiersten. It's so hard to get started with raw and vegan. I love this pasta!
Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen says
This pesto sounds so amazing!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today says
This is a very interesting post, thank you for tips and links to "raw" blogs 🙂
janet @ the taste space says
Like you, I don't think 100% raw should be the ideal, but it is good to incorporate into a healthy diet. Thankfully there are so many online resources to help people decide whether it is worth jumping into raw cooking. 🙂
Gwen says
I've been looking around recently for vegan or raw recipes and chancing upon your blog is really timely. Thanks for sharing all the links, it's really helpful! Can't wait to try some of your recipes 🙂
Kiersten says
Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
This is genius! It's looks super creamy without any cheese--fabulous! I love the idea of incorporating more raw foods into our diet. I just started working at raw food company that makes delicious dehydrated snacks like crackers, granola and macaroons out of gluten-free ingredients like oats, nuts and seeds. It's so amazing to see what you can create with raw food!
Kiersten says
Yes, it was creamy! The little bits of pumpkin seeds almost reminded me of little bits of parm. 🙂 Your job sounds awesome--I am jealous! Do you get to take home lots of free food?!
dixya| Food, Pleasure, and Health says
I am always looking for more ideas to incorporate clean eating + raw food. this pesto sounds amazing - i bought some pumpkin seeds a while ago, certainly going to try it out 🙂 I like substituting basil with spinach leaves sometimes or the combination of it.
Kiersten says
I've never made spinach pesto, although I have tried arugula. I need to do that!
Gwen@SimplyHealthyFamily says
I like your approach to raw foods, that some foods are better for you when cooked. We eat a lot of whole foods and its easy to go raw in the hot summer months here in Phoenix! 😉
This pesto sounds wonderful, love the acv.
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
You know how when you see a word a certain number of times it starts to look really weird? Raw seemest like the strangest word to me now! haha ... the food doesn't sound strange though, it all sounds delicious .. I agree though that certain foods are better for you cooked, so I like mixing raw and cooked to get all the proper nutrients out of your food!
Kiersten says
Ha! I do that all the time. Mostly with my name. When I look at it too much, I start thinking, "What kind of name is Kiersten?!"
Alexandra @ Delicious Knowledge says
Well as a plant-based RD/Nutritionist I DON'T recommend an entirely raw food diet, mostly for the reasons mentioned above. It is a good idea though to incorporate lots of raw foods into anyone's diet, vegan included! In the Spring/Summer I crave more raw salads, pastas, desserts, and can't wait to start eating more of these types of foods! This pasta looks delicious and perfect for beginners.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
This pesto sounds great!!!
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I've never really understood the raw food thing but if there's pesto involved? That's another story! And I totally thought that was pasta - not veggies! Wonder if my kids would think the same thing....
Kiersten says
They're young, you can tell them anything and they'll believe it, right? 🙂
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
I love pumpkin seeds, this pesto sounds wonderful and the perfect way tot try out raw eating!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
This pesto looks the besto! I had to do it 😉
Kiersten says
It's better than the resto!
Pam @Mommacan says
I have never even thought of Pumpkin Seed Pesto, it wounds wonderful. I am liking the look of that pasta. I have some to slice up but have just not had time.
Kiersten says
Someday I want to get a spiralizer, but in the meantime, julienning the veggies works. 🙂
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
I think I'd be inclined to try a recipe here and there, but there's no way I could eat an exclusively raw diet. Of course, even you said you couldn't.
Kiersten says
There's no way I could either. I did 3 days of raw food and I loved it and felt amazing, BUT I really missed eating things that were warm.
dishing up the dirt says
great post! Thanks for the links to the raw food blogs. I eat a lot of raw food meals on accident. And I totally agree, you don't need crazy equipment or weird ingredients. Love this recipe lady!
marissa @ the boot says
this is such a wonderfully detailed post! i will definitely check out these resources. i love the idea of the julienned veggies as pasta!
Kiersten says
They are so good! I first had them in a raw Pad Thai that I got a few weeks ago and I knew I had to try it out myself.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
I can eat raw food from time to time...the pesto with pumpkin seeds sounds just the right one for me.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
The pesto sounds absolutely delicious!
Kathryn says
Eating raw has always seemed so scary and intimidating so thank you for breaking it down a bit and removing some of the mystery!
Kiersten says
I always thought it was intimidating too! And some of it is, but there are a lot of recipes out there that are absolutely doable. 🙂
honeywhatscooking says
looks so gorgeous. love how you added pumpkin seeds to this dish.
Alissa N says
This looks so easy and delicious!! I love incorporating raw foods at this time of the year, can't wait to give this pesto a try!!
Freda Love Smith says
Thanks so much for the recipe (which looks wonderful!!) and links. I am on the active lookout for raw recipes that are satisfying and family-friendly, and is a great start!
Kiersten says
Yeah, some raw stuff definitely wouldn't be appealing to kids. 🙂 But pesto is always a winner, right?!