A few of you may know that I've been flirting with Veganism for some time now, but that past experiments with it have more or less failed.

But a few weeks back, like when I ran in to those friend Vegan Scientologists at a VEG/VEGAN/RAW restaurant here in Tampa called The Grass Roots http://www.grassrootslife.org , I discovered that RAW/VEGAN food can actually be very delicious. Moreover some of their dishes weren't just tasty dishes for vegan food, but just plane delicious in general.

So I said to myself, "Why not go Vegan a couple days a week, or more if possible?". And for the past month or so I've been eating Vegan/Raw on the weekends (with a few minor interruptions). And the books on the subject are correct--it has a cleansing, fast-like, effect on your body.

A book I bought to help me make some of the recipes myself is:




And below is a recipe that is not only delicious, but absolutely nutritious too...



RAW Apple "cookies"

2 pounds red applies, cored and peeled (I didn't bother to peel mine and still loved them)
1 Cup Agave Nectar (or 1 cup of honey if you don't have a natural food store near you)
1 3/4 cup raw almonds (if you must, you can by roasted in the grocery but it goes against being "raw" )
1 3/4 cup raisons
1/4 cup cinnamon


Blend ingredients in a food processor until relatively well mixed but not "smooth" or creamy--you want it a slight bit chunky.

Mix together with a spoon afterwords.

Once done, you can roll them into balls like bon bons and roll in some almond flakes, and refrigerate.

Or if you have a dehydrator, you can flatten them into cookie sized disks and dehydrate for 24 hours at 105 degrees F.




It's simple and absolutely delicious. And best of all--it's not junk food.


Benefits of the key ingredients below:

Almonds: http://www.supermarketgur....cfm/14060
cinnamon: http://www.healthdiaries....namon.html
Apples: http://www.healthdiaries....pples.html

This all looks very interesting.

I found so many fantastic Raw cookbooks in my local bookstore yesterday. I wanted them ALL!

Thanks for the recipe. After our kitchen's done (and we have counter space again), I'll have absolutely NO excuse not to continue this! Delicious.

Imago said:

It actually sounds a lot better than it looks... but then again, I just finished watching 'Two Girls One Cup'...

violator said:

violator said:

I was just gonna say 2 raw apple cookies one guy

I wish I was disciplined enough to try it

I'm so proud of you.

CalhounSq said:

Me too

violator said:

CarrieMpls said:

Honestly, I think this makes me more of a humanitarian than you and Anx combined.

Imago said:

Honestly, I think displaying my current avatar shows I'm more of an altruistic, selfless humanitarian than some part-time-following-a-fad-for-a-couple-months raw vegan.

CarrieMpls said:

you're more hardcore than i am. i tried raw foods a couple of times and i HAAATED it. i'm a little scared of food items that are listed in a menu in "quotes". i should have known better when i ordered raw "burritos" that one time.

Anxiety said:

The next time you're a a restaurant that serves raw, try treatloaf (or nutloaf) with smashed potatoes.

They're awesome.



But really. How do crazies like you do this stuff full time? I'm trying to determine if there is enough food variety to do it full time.

So far it seems easy enough, but I know it can't be THAT easy.

Imago said:

I can honestly state that not one of us knew that.

2the9s said:

x 1,000,000,000

Would you please post on starkitty's thread? She hates us stupid people and really needs your moral support right now.

Imago said:

That, on the other hand, is less difficult to believe.

Imago said:

just because i'm a vegetarian doesn't mean i'm a raw foods only eater. that stuff's nasty to me. if you can eat it, great, but i like my oven and my stovetop and i will steam the hell outta my broccoli!

Anxiety said:

Some of the raw stuff is good, but most of what I've had is yucky as well.
Maybe it's easier to eat cold food when it never drops below 70 degrees. In the winter, I need hot, hearty veggie goodness.

CarrieMpls said:

It may just be the restaurant you went to.


And warm weather doesn't affect taste buds. It just makes people nicer all year round.

Imago said:

But it's simply not as satisfying. You try wandering about in subzero windchills and see if you wouldn't prefer a nice, hot, veggie chili and finish up with a mug of warm soy cocoa to a cold apple "cookie".

CarrieMpls said:

Why would anybody want to eat hot chili and warm cocoa ?


What if you're laying out at the beach that day and all of a sudden need to use the bathroom? I just don't think it's a good idea.

Imago said:

Gross!

Imago said:

gemini13 said:

my stomach HURTS!

gemini13 said:

Karla!

You might as well just go eat someone's lawn.

gemini13 said:

I can't stop laughing! STOP!!!