A few useful tips on Eating Raw during the winter
“By looking to the Source, to the Creator of nature, we can remember how to navigate life organically, with less struggle, and less suffering.”
- Jeffrey R. Anderson, The Nature of Things - Navigating Everyday Life with Grace
Eating a raw food diet can seem a bit more daunting during these cold Scandinavian Winter months. Life is good in the Summer months with cold smoothies, colourful raw salads and fresh berries growing in the garden. However, I find that during the Winter I also incorporate vegan and vegetarian recipes into my diet but I still enjoy smoothies and salads but also eat a lot of fruit.
Eating raw also means eating foods at room temperature, or even heating it a little no more than 42 degrees Celsius. Eating lots of raw foods will also keep your immune system thriving during cold and flu season when friends and family are sniffling the days away.
Eat Warm Food (finger warm) no more than 42 degrees celsius
Most of us think that raw food shall be eaten only cold, even chilled. But during the winter especially this does not have to be the case. Eating food at room temperature or even heating the food until its finger warm temperature, is comforting.Eat Heating Foods and Spices
Cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic and black pepper are all examples of ingredients that can warm you from within. Use them in beverages as well as meals and keep your internal fire stoked. Warm beverages are a great way to satisfy a sweet craving as well as give the body some spice.
About the Carbs
Carbohydrates are what your body wants more of in winter. Rather than a little extra fat and protein, as much as we all love to indulge in such things, what your body needs more of to combat the cold is carbohydrates. Your metabolism increases in cold weather, which causes you to lose that valuable padding. So if you are wondering why your salad doesn't have that same appeal that it did just a few short weeks ago, it is because vegetables have very little calories and carbohydrates. Try adding fruit to your diet as well as your salad dressing. Contrary to popular misconception, protein doesn't give you energy, at least, not without a real inner workout, and fat isn't much more efficient, it's carbohydrates that feed you.
Dehydrated Snacks and Treats
As always, a dehydrator, or as I usually use, mo oven can come in use when making crackers cookies, veggie crisps. Raw breads are all perfect anytime foods that keep the stomach happy and the mind comforted.
