Raw Food – A new adventure!
I experimented with something quite fun today – I hired a raw foodist (is that a word? a raw foodie? a raw nutritionist?) to spend the afternoon with me cooking up (uhh, it’s just a “term”) all sorts of interesting concoctions. Linda Gregersen, a new friend that I met at Biz Divas several months ago is an EXPERT at making this on-the-edge lifestyle seem really easy. In a matter of 2 hours we came up with all sorts of yummy things:
Key Lime Pie
Chocolate Mousse
Coconut Cookies
Flax Crackers
Lemon-Tahini Salad Dressing
This wasn’t our first get-together, in fact it was our third. Last time, Linda took me shopping to her favorite Health Food Store and a local indoor Farmer’s Market (The Sunflower Market). The first time we met to discuss “getting started” and she put all my anxiety to rest as she gave me copies of simple recipes, a shopping list, along with a short list of equipment (most of which I already had).
Linda understands that this is something most people have to “ease into”. Going from a typical western diet to completely RAW without some sort of transition would be a little insane if you ask me. Linda suggests adding freshly squeezed juice or a green smoothie as a starting place. Then add raw foods little by little. ”Substitute” & “Educate Yourself” seems to be the mantra when I’m hanging out with this beautiful lady.
Now before any of you decide that I must be on crack cocaine (considered RAW by many 
) for coming up with this wacky idea, just know that I never said I was going 100% RAW. (Not even Linda is 100%). Most of you know that I’m in the middle of achieving my 20 lb weight loss goal. I have 8 lbs to go and would SOO rather put nutritious food into my body (along with my daily protein shake) than get a scary injection or count calories (while I’m eating the same crap that got me here in the first place). I’m just feeling that a slight change in lifestyle is in order! 2 out of 3 meals RAW not only seems fun, tastey, & easy….but very natural as well. I’m excited.
Now…let’s get back to my raw food preparation. (I REALLY want to say “cooking” but I’m not allowed! ) I almost put the honey in the microwave to soften it, but was reminded that microwaves KILL. At least most of the nutrients in food…so we did it the old-fashioned way….on a wood-burning stove (just kidding).
The Key Lime pie was GREEN…but not because of the lime juice but because it had an avocado in it. (Of course I forgot to mention that to my kids 
) YUMMY! It was a big hit with me and the hubby. The chocolate concoction will be my drug of choice when I’m hit with the monthly Mad Cow Disease and nothing but chocolate will keep me from becoming the raving lunatic you all know I can be!
Flax crackers & Coconut cookies – still in the dehydrator but looking tasty! (Yes, I’m the real deal now that I have a dehydrator!)
And finally, I made a special trip to the grocery store just to get fresh salad ingredients so I could try out my new home-made dressing. It was the yummiest salad I’ve ever made.
So have I got you curious? Check it out here: Raw Recipe Box You’ll find all sort of wonderful recipes, Linda’s contact information as well as all the comforting and calming words you’ll need as you transition to this healthy lifestyle! I will also have Raw Recipe Box listed as a resource and will post many of Linda’s events.
Indeed, the Key Lime Pie was great… I even had a small slice for breakfast on the way out the door this morning. I did sneak a taste of the crackers and they were pretty good as well. The Chocolate was awesome… tasted like fudge. Keep it up Ann!
WOW! This sounds very interesting. I have two good friends in Tempe, Arizona that are completely raw food freaks…they run half marathons and are VERY active! They talked to me a little bit about RAW eating…truthfully-I feel I NEED some COOKED food. I too, am working on “weight release”. I have already released about 70 lbs of extra FAT that I did not NEED-over the past couple of years-and I am on my last 20 lbs.
I am excited to research this way of eating-thanks to your informative article, Ann! YOU TOTALLY ROCK, GIRL! Thanks for sharing your own story with the world!
I just finished Carol Alt’s raw foods book … it is amazing. it would be a totally unrealistic eating plan for most people, but we can all learn something and incorporate a few small changes from the ideas presented.
Congrats Linda! Woo Hoo, you are taking off now!! I can say to Linda I knew her when….so glad you two connected. Linda, fun to see your dreams we created take form. Go girl!
I have a raw food connection for you from earlier Heartlink meetings I’ve attended. She made the food once or twice and I was very impressed. Her name is Shelly Liedtke. You should look her up on fb. I know Marilyn has met her too, before she started her own meetings.
Tony and I have been choosing into eating Raw Foods. It’s made a huge difference in out lives!
O.K. I just can’t resists to say — Look at you go girl! to Linda that is. I am so proud of you and excited Ann and you have connected.
As Linda’s coach, I got to support her from generating ideas of what her business was even going to be to getting the vision created and implementing with a detailed plan to sit back now and watch her launch it. Proof, when you monetize your passions, you will succeed. Linda is truly knowledgeable and passionate about her desire to help others live in a healthy world. You need to contact her if you want this too.
Congratulations Linda! And thanks Ann, for continuing to also support others to achieve their visions!
Thanks for the article, Ann! So glad your family enjoyed the food, too. I still get a little nervous sometimes….since my family is the biggest meat and potato-eaters out there and usually mock my food before even trying it! (Good call to keep the avocado on the down-low.)
Anyway, it was a blast to “prepare” with you! Can’t wait to get this life-vision recorded and in my brain!
Am feeling really grateful today for all of my wonderful coaches…Ann and Rene included. Thank you!
I’m glad that you’re not going 100% raw because I read an article about a woman who almost died doing that! Those flax crackers were pretty tasty- I didn’t know they were for this! And good job on losing 12 lbs already! You’re doing a good job and I need to follow your example!