The Fresh Network Blog

"How I do Christmas" by 10 raw food leaders

Back in its Winter 2001 issue, Get Fresh! magazine asked a selection of raw food experts these questions:

Please set the scene as to where you'll be this Christmas and who you'll be with.  

What's likely to be on the Christmas menu this year for you personally and for those around you? 

What are your tips for spending a hassle-free Christmas with people whose food choices are different?

What's made this year a great year for you? 

Any words of wisdom to share with our readers?

Last week we put the same questions to 10 of today's leading raw food experts: Elaine Bruce, Alissa Cohen, Dao Earl, Karen Knowler, Paul Nison, Ani Phyo, Natalia Rose, Shazzie, Pete Vincent and Tera Warner. 

We hope you find their answers as wise, inspiring, funny, interesting and thought-provoking as we did.

What's in our Winter issue?

Our Winter issue is now in the mail, winging its way to all subscribers. If you're not one of them, for goodness' sake get on over to our website to order your copy of this unmissable issue! 

On the cover is Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Cancer fame. Seven years ago Kris was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer for which there is no treatment and no known cure.

Today – thanks to discovering the raw diet and lifestyle and becoming, in her own words, “a full-time healing junkie” – she is healthier and happier than ever and busy helping others achieve the same.

In our exclusive interview she tells her story and shares her top tips for optimum wellness. Also in this issue:

• Dao Earl explores the real reasons the body stores fat.
• If you’re hooked on high-energy living but your partner isn’t, does that mean your relationship is destined to fail? Natalia Rose has insights and advice.
• Who goes raw? Dr Doug Graham explores the characteristics that differentiate raw eaters from standard eaters.
• Supplements exposed: Dr Brian Clement reveals the shocking truth about a multi-billion-dollar market.
• You are not what you eat! Stop worrying about your diet and follow these nine guidelines for healthy living, says Tera Warner.
• Watch out for adrenal exhaustion. This little-known syndrome is the single biggest cause of ill health in the modern world, says naturopath Philip Weeks. Here he explores the symptoms and causes, and offers solutions.
• Tropical treats – the top 10 rare fruits you may not have heard of but should definitely check out, by Geoffrey Mazuy.
• Thinning hair is not only an extremely common problem; it can also be a side effect of detoxification. But you can restore lush locks by feeding your hair from the inside and out, says Tonya Zavasta.
• Raising your ecstatic being. Shazzie looks at education, living arrangements and nutrition – among other things – and shares her top tips for raising a happy, healthy child.
• Sproutman Steve Meyerowitz talks us through his daily routine.
• Inflammation overload – Thomas Lodi, M.D. explores the role of inflammation in the body’s repair mechanisms, what happens when inflammation becomes chronic and why a raw vegan diet is the best prevention.
• Plant power – how to build muscle on a vegan diet by Brendan Brazier.
• Raw food coach Karen Knowler has tips for establishing a winning raw food routine.
• Winter comfort foods – with “can’t-believe-this-is-raw” bites for cold nights, Russell James proves that comfort food doesn’t have to involve an oven.
• Stay younger longer. In the first part of a new series, Cherie Soria shares tips for looking, feeling and being our best and quick and simple recipes for rejuvenation and longevity.
• Plus the latest news, reviews, tips, useful contacts and much, much more!

Go here to order your copy.

Go here to find out about subscription options.

Go here to browse back issues.

When raw meets romance

We finished the Winter issue of Get Fresh! magazine yesterday (pictured left - full information on what’s in it coming very shortly). My editorial this time is on the subject of what to do when you’re hooked on high-energy living and your partner isn’t. These ramblings introduce a brilliant article on the subject by Raw Food Detox Diet author Natalia Rose. The design of Get Fresh! only allows for brief editorials, and my first draft was too long for the magazine version so I thought I'd share it with you here:

If you’re passionate about all things raw and your partner is too, count yourself lucky. Most raw food fans who are in a relationship are with someone who doesn’t share their enthusiasm for health and high-energy living. 

As anyone who’s been in this situation knows, this is about a lot more than just sitting down to different dishes at mealtimes, or heated arguments about restaurant choices (your beloved voting for dim sum at The Dragon Inn while you’re hankering after sprout salad at The Happy Buddha). Our diet and lifestyle choices don’t just affect us physically – they affect us mentally, emotionally and spiritually too.

They also say an awful lot about our values and beliefs. The wife who makes dietary decisions based only on what tastes good and/or keeps her slim and the husband who is vegan for ethical, environmental and health reasons clearly have two very different world views and sets of priorities.

All other things being equal, it is much easier to be in a relationship with someone who is on the same page as us about life’s biggest questions. But the universe doesn’t always have “easy” in mind for us when it comes to relationships. Many of us, for various reasons, will achieve greater spiritual growth with someone who sees the world differently; challenges our beliefs; pushes our buttons.

But don't assume this path is always hard work. Some of the happiest couples I know are made up of one raw food fan and one standard diet eater respectfully accommodating each other’s habits and idiosyncrasies. 

Comfort food at it's best

Do you ever have moments when another salad or piece of fruit just doesn't cut it? You want something different. Something heavier; more grounding. You want comfort food, dammit. A very common craving is for something seriously crunchy - crunchy like crisps, not crunchy like carrots. If you thought that that's not an option available on a raw diet, think again.

Allow me to introduce the kale chip.

If you've never heard of the concept, you can find full explanation plus recipe here. Seriously, you have to try these.

Kale: how can a green leafy thing that is capable of single-handedly ruining an otherwise perfectly palatable vegetable juice, be so crunchily, moreishly, teasingly gorgeous when coated in a blend of cashews, red pepper, lemon juice and nutritional yeast and slowly dried until crispy.

If you live in the US you may be lucky enough to be able to buy Kale In a Crunch kale chips. If you don't, and if you don't already have a dehydrator, it is worth buying one solely so you can make these. Just do it, and then thank me later.

If there's a better snack to chow down on while chuckling over Simpsons re-runs on a cold winter's night I don't know what it is.

Do you have your ticket for THE raw event of 2009?

We're talking, of course, about our Christmas party and it's less than three weeks away now. It takes place on the evening of Sunday, December 6 at Saf restaurant in London and you can read full details here. It promises fantastic food and fantastic company and as if those were not reasons enough to attend you can also look forward to discount shopping, music and dancing, and a goody bag packed with raw treats and worth over £30.

We're excited to announce that regular Get Fresh! columnists Karen Knowler, Elaine Bruce, Philip Weeks, Russell James and Dr Doug Graham (along with Professor Rozalind Graham and their delightful daughter Faychesca) have all accepted our invitation to be there on the night. We can also reveal that Radio 2 presenter and Imperfectly Natural Woman author Janey Lee Grace is looking forward to 2009's biggest raw food fiesta! That's not all, but it's all we're disclosing for now. We are delighted these people will be there to enjoy the evening with us, sign books and chat to guests.

Guests will be able to take advantage of our December Sale, featured only at this party. Everything in our online store will be included in this bargain bonanza, with most products on offer at a fantastic 20% discount! The shop will open at 5pm - an hour before the party starts - and you'll be able to leave your shopping with us while you enjoy the evening, so why not take this chance to stock up and make some BIG savings?

Want to bring your kids? No problem! Children of all ages are welcome, and there is no charge for children under 10, up to a maximum of two pint-sized guests per paying adult. But be sure to book your little ones a place when you purchase your ticket/s as they will need to be on the list. If you want to take advantage of this amazing deal please call us on +44 (0)845 833 7017 as it is not available on our website.

The party kicks off early to make it easier for those who live outside London to attend and leave in time for their last train, should they wish to. But for those of you who will be staying overnight, we have listed some hotel recommendations on the party page of our website. Here are our top tips:

The Hoxton is offering rooms at just £78 at the time of writing. This chic and trendy urban lodge is a 2-minute walk from the party venue.

If you're looking for the lowest-cost accommodation, check out the Travelodge. This no-frills chain has many hotels in London, and rooms in the Marylebone, Farringdon and King's Cross locations (all within easy reach of our party) can be had for as little as £30. The best deals on hotel rooms are only available if you book and pre-pay and the same goes for train travel - on many routes you will enjoy savings of up to 75% if you buy your ticket two or more weeks in advance. So with the party now under three weeks away, why not sort this out right now!

Full details of our party, including highlights from the night's menu, can be found here.

We do hope to you will join us for this truly first-class event!

Go here to book your ticket/s, or ring us on +44(0)845 833 7017.

What to do when raw isn't working

Some people who go raw sail effortlessly into undreamed of levels of health and happiness and never look back. But for others it isn't such a smooth voyage. In many cases this is because they were not as genetically blessed and/or because they are dealing with serious health challenges. If this is you then read on as we have advice that may help you.

Maybe you felt better initially when you went raw but then reached a plateau and can't seem to move to the next level. Or maybe you have always struggled with your health and never really felt well on raw but just know that it has to be the best way to eat. Either way, in going raw you have taken a "road less travelled" that few are brave or enlightened enough to take, and it can be extremely disappointing and disheartening not to get the results you were hoping for.

Important aside: you can't undo decades worth of bodily abuse in days, so if you only recently went raw it could be just a matter of time for you. This article is written for people who have been eating raw or high raw for years - not days, weeks or months.

We see long-term health seekers in all three categories - rawsome, so-so and struggling - and we've noticed a common mistake. People in the latter two groups often put all their available time and energy into refining their diet when it is much more likely they will get the results they are after if they channel those efforts into other areas. So here are the main pointers to consider if you are raw but not rawsome. The first three are nutrition-related, but (and this is assuming you are already eating raw or high-raw) once you have done them, consider yourself done on the nutrition front!

Come to our Christmas party!

Just because you’re into all things eco and organic doesn’t mean you don’t enjoy a big night out and a good old knees-up as much as the next person. But if you choose to eat raw vegan, chances are you’re used to being left pretty disappointed on the food front, as you politely pass on the champagne, the steak and the crème brulée and push limp lettuce leaves around your plate.

But not on Sunday December 6! We are holding a party at London’s Saf restaurant, which is for our money not only the UK’s but also Europe’s top raw restaurant. This will be THE raw party of the year, folks! And there are still some tickets left, so read on to find out more...or just book your ticket now! Our early bird prices are still on offer - book by October 31 and you get 10% off the ticket price, and there are further savings if you buy more than one ticket.

Four reasons you will want to be at this party:

The food We tasted everything on Saf’s menu and hand-picked the delights to serve to you on this special night. Naturally, it was a tough job but we don’t cut corners when it comes to ensuring our customers are getting the very best! The food will be served as passed canapés, starting with savoury delicacies and moving to sweet treats as the night progresses. Among other things, we selected amazing raw sushi, Saf’s famous beetroot ravioli (pictured), an out-of-this-world cashew cheese with sage pesto and a pink peppercorn crust, and some raw cakes that have to be tried to be believed. There will also be a salad bar serving three gorgeous "to-live-for" salads. Food will be in abundance, and it’s all created by none other than Saf’s executive chef, the legendary Chad Sarno, and brilliant new head chef Anupam Som.

The people If you’ve attended previous Fresh Network events you’re sure to see familiar faces here! If you haven’t, you will find it the ideal place for meeting people who are on your wavelength, should you wish to. A hint: if you’re passionate about all things raw but don’t have any (or many) friends who share that passion, consider it a priority to be at this party! Ask anyone who lives an alternative lifestyle and has plenty of like-minded friends: it makes a huge difference to your quality of life. Many customers report that they have forged some of their best friendships at our events. Oh, and did we mention that a number of high-profile raw food experts will be there on the night to chat to guests and sign books? This will be your chance to meet some of the people you’ve read about online, or seen in the pages of Get Fresh! magazine.

The discount shopping There’s no need to wait for the January sales if you shop with us! We will be selling everything from our online store at extra-special prices at this party, with discounts ranging from 10% to 20%. Why not beat the crowds by arriving at 5pm for the hour of pre-party shopping? We’ll be operating a system whereby you can leave your shopping with us and collect it later. If you purchase any of our kitchen equipment (ideal as Christmas gifts, including to yourself!) we will mail them to you to save you lugging heavy boxes across London. With discounts like these you don’t have to do much shopping to make back the cost of your party ticket in savings!

The goody bag As our gift to you for attending you will receive a special surprise Christmas goody bag packed with raw treats: a selection of lovely things to eat and to read, along with discount vouchers from some of the top companies in the field. It wouldn’t be a surprise if we told you any more than that, but suffice it to say that Christmas will come early for you if you attend this party.

The agenda
5pm Doors open for shopping
6pm Party begins
7pm-9pm Enjoy the canapés and visit the salad bar
9pm-11pm Music and dancing
Midnight Doors close

From the night’s menu...

Welcome cocktail
Lavender & Ginger Lemonade

Savoury canapés
Beetroot Ravioli
Taco Mexicano
Vegetable Maki
And more...

Salad bar
Baby Gem Caesar Salad
Spinach, Tomato and Basil Salad
Thai Papaya Salad

Dessert canapés
Chocolate and Orange Marble Torte
Raspberry Geranium Cake
And more...

Tickets will not be available on the door and numbers are strictly limited so book early to avoid disappointment!

Ticket price includes:

• welcome cocktail and raw nibbles
• savoury and sweet canapés, in abundance
• as many visits as you want to the salad bar
• unlimited filtered water and herbal and green teas
• goody bag filled with gorgeous raw treats

We hope to see you on December 6. Remember - we're still offering early bird prices, but not for much longer, so why not book your ticket right now! On our website you will find masses of useful information including how to get to Saf, hotel suggestions and a mini raw guide to London for those who are planning to make a weekend of it.

Raw: your biggest questions answered

We're back to tell you more about our brilliant new ebook -pictured - and to share an extended excerpt from it. This is the book where we ask a panel of 12 leading experts the biggest questions regarding the raw diet and lifestyle. Click here to read an extended selection of those questions and/or to download the book and read on to see who is on the panel.

The excerpt we've chosen to share is part of the chapter on supplementation. [Note: a similar excerpt appeared in the current issue of Get Fresh! magazine - if you have already read it there it is still worth reading on, as this version contains information that was not included there due to space constraints]. Without further ado, here it is...

We're back - with more exciting news!

We're sorry this blog hasn't exactly been a hive of activity over the last fortnight. That's because there has been so much activity going on behind the scenes. We can't go into too much detail right now as it has been a bit of a marathon and we all need an early night. But in brief, here are a few things you might be interested to know...

To the left is the cover of our much-anticipated ebook, which is just out - Raw: your biggest questions answered. This is the book we updated you on two weeks ago, it features the opinions of 12 leading raw food experts on a wide variety of topics, and you can now find out more about what's in it, and/or instantly download it and get your hands on 270 pages of the most valuable and fascinating health information ever published.

But this isn't the only publication we've brought out this week: we're also proud to bring you the Autumn issue of Get Fresh! magazine, now available in print or as an instantly downloadable emag.

Also newly launched this week is our affiliate programme. This is for those of you who have a raw business, website or blog and and would like to earn a potentially very nice source of passive income referring customers to us. It's as simple as signing up online and then putting a special link or banner (which we'll provide) on your website. This will automatically track traffic from your site to ours and pay you commission on any sales that result. Go here to read more about our affilate programme and/or to sign up.

Finally, we have been busy planning our Christmas party. It's on the evening of Sunday 6th December, it's at Saf, London's top raw restaurant, and it will be THE raw party of the year. Tickets are on sale as of today and numbers are limited so they are sure to sell out fast. Go here to read more about it and/or to snap up your ticket/s before it's too late. 

Wild food for dummies

If you know the real deal on superfoods, you know that wild food is as super as it gets. But if you’re anything like me, you’re a bit of a dunce when it comes to telling safe berries from poisonous, and the only edible wild greens you can positively identify are nettles.

But come August there is one wild food that grows abundantly in the UK that all of us can identify and most of us love. I’m talking, of course, about blackberries.

You can buy them in the supermarket for around £2 per micro pack, or you can find them growing wild and eat to your heart’s content – for free.

Blackberries are rich in vitamin C and they’re one of the few fruits containing substantial vitamin E. They are also loaded with health-protecting phytonutrients – some say they contain more than any other fruit. Here are just a few of them:

• lycopene and ellagic acid, both of which combat the cell damage which can lead to cancer
• flavonoids, which safeguard eye health
• polyphenols, the group of antioxidants we are told makes red wine a health elixir
• and their vibrant colour comes from proanthocyanidins - these potent free radical busters offer protection against aging and all diseases.

Blackberries are perfect eaten on their own, preferably at the hedgerow, and they are also lovely in smoothies. Here’s my favourite summer green smoothie, and it's a meal in itself - just whizz the following together in a blender: a cup of blackberries, 2 medium bananas, a nectarine and 100g-200g of spinach.