Don’t try to go raw overnight. We have spent years developing eating habits and it may take some time to change those habits. Habits such as what kind of condiments we purchase. Pay attention to the labels. When you run out of a spice or ingredient – look for a raw, fresh or organic alternative. For example: When you run out of salt – look for “RealSalt” or any other natural unprocessed salt. This can be purchased in bulk at Whole Foods, Central Market or found on-line.

Table Salt
The table salt we’ve been using has been striped of its natural minerals in the superheated processing. It has chemical additives. Even “sea salt” has been heated. They have processed salt for our “convenience” so it comes out of a salt shaker nice and easy. Raw, naturally colored salts retain their mineral content and the flavor is much better. Choose Celtic Sea Salt that is light grey in color or RealSalt which is mined in Utah and comes from ancient sea beds that don’t contain any of the pollutions of today’s seas. I use the pale pink RealSalt and keep it in a fat glass spice jar. The consistency is such that I use pinches of it instead of sprinkling through a shaker. (it almost feels moist) Do a side by side taste test and you won’t believe what you have been missing!

SWEETENERS - The good news is that there are lots of alternatives to refined sugar to sweeten your beverages, snacks and and desserts. I personally have to have a little sweet in my herbal teas – I think it brings out the flavor. But you will notice real quick that when you get off the sugary soft drinks (including diet sodas) and reduce your sugar intake – that you start needing less sugar to sweeten a beverage. You become more sensitive to it. 

DRIED FRUITS like raisins, prunes and dates are very sweet. Look for the ones with no added sugar! They are naturally sweet (don’t mess with Mother Nature!) Creating recipes with chopped up dried fruit will satisfy your cravings.

STEVIA is an herb – it’s a little green bush! The leaves are very sweet and we can now purchase it powdered in little packets just like the “pink” and “blue” fake sugar packets. But a word of warning – it only takes a TINY amount. They really need to make those packets half size or produce them in the same packages as the salt and pepper packets found a fast food restaurants! You can find it in bulk as well – it will be white or green. Stevia is an excellent choice for diabetics as the body does not recognize it as a sugar. It is interesting to note that as an herb it is used to feed and heal the pancreas, which is often damaged by refined sugar consumption! Another one of natures miracles.

RAW AGAVE NECTAR is found in jars or plastic bottles like honey. It’s a bit thinner than honey. It’s mild and delicious!

SPICES – I’ve been guilty just like everyone else of keeping bottles and those little cans of dried out spices in my cupboard for years. Dump those jars and refill them with fresh dried. Spices bought in bulk at places like Whole Foods are so much fresher and more flavorful and less expensive because you aren’t wasting money on packaging.
If you have ever sprinkled nutmeg or cinnamon on your hot cocoa or anything else – you are in for a real treat if you purchase a nutmeg grinder and a few nuts to put in the grinder. And grating cinnamon sticks with a fine grater makes the flavor go POW! Many of the common herbs and spices we use in our food prep are easy to grow – I recommend putting them in the ground (in the south) and not in little pots.
Oregano – low ground cover with tiny leaves. So good with Italian style meals. Display a pretty dish with sprigs of oregano and impress your family.
Rosemary – lots of varieties, gets big and bushy. Also wonderful for adding sprigs to decorate your plate.
Basil – Many varieties, grow several and see which grows best for you. The beautiful curly leaves or the purple leaf basil are really strong and fragrant and are very tasty dried as well.
Garlic chives – once established it takes off. A couple of blades of the chive clipped into salads or meals add a nice hint of garlic. Chop some up with tomato and avocado for a great veggie dip.
Peppermint and Spearmint are beautiful ground covers and make great tea. Or just add a few leaves to your regular tea when making sun tea to add some minty freshness.
Using fresh or fresh dried herbs with your food preparation will make your family think you’ve turned into a gourmet. You will have amazing tasting meals and you will receive more nutrients as well as flavor.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Comments are closed.