I became a raw vegan last summer. Anybody else here a raw vegan?

I have lost about 45 pounds since last June from eating raw fruits and vegetables, with a small amount of nuts and seeds.  It is a great way to live for me and was wondering if anyone else has discovered this new way.

I'm definitely not raw, but I did some browsing around the 'net some time ago because I was interested, and came across www.thegardendiet.com and started reading some stuff.  I try to incorporate more raw foods into my diet now.

I feel that being straight vegan works well for my body, but kudos to you for taking that step.  I have no doubt that your body will thank you for the time you're devoting to your nutrition :)

I'm a vegetarian of only 6 months, but have done some extensive reading on raw food diets.  One snack I got from a raw foodist is dates, celery and mashed banana!  Very tasty!

And yes, kudos to you for such a commitment to raw foods!

I try to eat as much raw as I can - but find I become too obsessive about it, and need to step back.  Do you eat 100% raw?  I live in Canada, so feel the need for warm foods during these cold winter months.  All organic, and vegan though.

What would your typical day of eating be like?

Congrats to you jgreenman! 

I'm near vegan, and near raw.  I came to this diet lifestyle for my health and I'm convinced that vegan raw is definately the most healthy diet.  I've lost a ton of weight myself over the past six months. 

Did you find, as I did, that eating large quantities of raw fruits and vegetables satisfies your appetite to such an extent that the extra weight almost seems to fall off?

i don't eat only raw, but i do eat almost 100% fruits and veggies (no breads, etc.)  i am vegan and love that i can eat almost unlimited amounts of fruits and veggies.  you have to eat A LOT of broccoli to get fat from it :)  i did this "fruits and veggies only" diet religiously last year for about five months and lost 20 pounds.  then i went back to normal food and the weight came back :(  i am back on track now, though!

good for you for doing raw!  what do you do when you go out to eat with friends?  i know i get annoyed at that question from my non-vegan friends, but i really am curious how one eats raw without simply eating salads for every meal at a restaurant.

wow. i wish i could do the raw thing. i think i'd get way too obsessive and dangerous if i did. although i am vegan (obviously by the name) and try to minimize processed foods. I feel like i'd need my kashi cereal and soy milk for fortification. otherwise, i think i could convert. congrats, though!

My 7yr old son is a raw vegetarian.  It's his preferred way to eat.  He eats raw tofu, veges, fruit, etc.  He eats cooked rice and other cooked starches.  My 5 yr old son, husband, and me eat cooked foods with lots and lots of fresh, raw foods.  I'm vegetarian, my husband is Hindu (no beef/pork), my younger son is a carnivor extrodinaire (but eats his fruit and veges).

Hey, if you come across any really amazing raw vegan recipes can you post them?  I'd love to try some :)

tofu is processed, and soy is a highly GMO food (unless otherwise labeled)  Its not raw at all!!  Now, not cooking tofu, yeah... that's raw... but, tofu its' self, is not a 'raw food'

Here's a website with some good recipes:  www.living-foods.com www.shazzie.com  www.rawchef.com <--- (I worked with Chad for a couple of days, prepping for a seminar! He's great)  Check out the cashew hummus he has posted.

oh yeah, how could I forget??? www.purefoodandwine.com and www.oneluckyduck.com

Mmmm, Pure Food & Wine (link above) is really something special.  If you find yourself in NYC check it out!

Luckily it's not far from CC headquarters =)

Erik, you are sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo lucky to be so close!!!!    Im not even in the right country, lol!

I have been reading a ton about raw lately, because I think I'm ready to make the transition. I became interested in it a few years ago, but I don't think I could have done it then.

There are some really good books out there... Hooked on Raw is one, and there is another one at my work I was looking at, but can't think of the name right now. They have TONS of info, and not only recipies.
After reading about it more extensively, even just a balanced vegan diet with cooked items and some processed fake meats seems unhealthy...

Also, anyone worried about missing cooked grains, you can spout any grain to then have it be considered raw. Quinoa, brown rice, almost anything.

For any of you who are 50% or more raw, how much did it cost you to get all relevent equipment (juicer, Saladacco, etc.)? I'm thinking of putting my money towards that stuff instead of getting new pots and pans...

I wish I could eat raw but I have the worst diet in the world and just don't like many fruit or vegetables (and HATE nuts and seeds). I've just ordered a raw eating book in the hope it might actually convince me to try it.

I got my saladacco for 15 bucks off ebay (different brand name though, but it does make great zuchinni noodles)  and my food processor was just over 100 bucks.  That's all you really need.... well, you don't need to make veggie noodles - but....... its fun.  And the food processor is great for nut/seed cheeses and sauces, smooties.... fruit puddings, anything!

I got my juicer for 5 bucks at goodwill.  I don't use it as much, but still, it was cheap.  You can probably find a dehydrator at goodwill, but it might not have the right temperature control on it to ensure the food enzymes aren't destroyed (over 118 temp)  Um, but maybe you could leave a thermomitor inside and check it, also leaving the lid/cover off halfway, so some of the heat escapes.

My favourite thing I have now is a vitamix.  Super expensive... but, so worth it.  You can make juices with it, but WHOLE juices, with pulp.  Just throw in veggies/fruit/water, and blend away.  Its more smoothie like - but I'll add enough water so its not so thick (if its a green drink)

shari - have you ever tried a persimmon???? Oh boy, I could never hate those.  Maybe you haven't tried enough fruits/veggies, and that's why you hate them.  Keep trying them, until you find some you love.  And, try them in different ways... if you hate eating a banana, try blending it with something, making a pudding.  If you blend banana, with cocoa powder, its soooooooooooooooo amazing!