Judita Wignall’s latest cookbook is Raw & Simple. With a goal of providing easy and tasty recipes that feed the body and spirit without hours of prep, Raw & Simple is a wonderful introduction to the world of raw vegan food. Rarely does a cookbook come out that really changes the way I think or the way I cook. Sure, I might learn some new recipes and be introduced to new flavors, but Raw & Simple is a whole new way of cooking or really not cooking and it is better and easier than I thought.
Hazelnut Chocolate Chia Pudding (Breakfast or Dessert)
Now, I am not saying I am changing everything and going raw, but as Judita points out “anybody can benefit from the healthy lifestyle that raw eating provides.” You don’t have to go all in, Judita says, “I’m not a 100% raw foodist. I eat cooked foods as well, though usually with some raw food added.” She is obviously more “in it “than me, but I do plan to add many of these new recipes to my flexitarian lifestyle.
Raw foods have been popping up everywhere from chocolates (I saw a few at the Chocolate Show touting their higher antioxidant levels) to food trucks (I saw outside the vegetarian festival). I really love hot food especially in the winter and I could not imagine living without it. Judita explains, “there are techniques that can give you that cooked feeling like using a dehydrator at low temperatures (around 115 degrees), or warming dishes on the stove top at very low heat. I also use a lot of warming spices in my dishes like cinnamon, turmeric, garlic, and ginger and drink warm herbal teas during the cold months.”
I was a bit worried about needing a fancy blender and a food dehydrator, but this book of raw food recipes doesn’t require either. There are many interesting recipes for every flavor and meal and I truly enjoyed all of the ones I tried. I recently asked Judita a few questions about the road to raw:
What do you think is the biggest benefit?
The biggest benefit for me is how much more energy I have. I used to be a coffee addict, because my old diet (Atkins Diet) was just too heavy. Eating raw doesn’t make me sleepy after meals. Instead, I feel light, energized and more productive.
How would you suggest convincing a naysayer to give it a try?
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Try eating one raw meal a day for a week and see how you feel. Sometimes just having a smoothie for breakfast or a big salad for lunch can make you feel more energized and improve your digestion. Also, try some raw desserts. I call my fudge brownies (from my first book Going Raw) the “gateway drug to raw foods.” Because they’re so good, people are more open to trying other raw recipes.
If you had to pick one recipe for a novice to experiment with what would it be?
Zucchini Noodles from Raw & Simple are really fun, because they take on the flavor of whatever sauce you make. I have two classic, flavorful sauces, marinara and pesto, that taste wonderful and give you the satisfaction of eating an Italian pasta dish without the carb coma.
Creamy Kale Salad with Capers and Hazelnuts
What is your best piece of advice for someone who wants to try going raw?
Get some raw recipe books and start playing in the kitchen. Having good recipes in your repertoire will help you stick to the diet better. Also, transition slowly. Going 100% overnight can be a shock to your system, especially if you’re not used to that much fiber! You can avoid headaches and withdrawals from processed food if you transition slowly, as well.
Cauliflower Couscous
Thanks to Judita for sharing three recipes from her book so you can all see what I am talking about. Don’t miss this Cauliflower Couscous, it’s absolutely delicious!
Kale Salad with Avocado, Hazelnuts and Capers
Hazelnut Chocolate Chia Pudding
**Giveaway**
Win your own copy of this book and learn to not cook your food. Especially great ideas for Saturday lunches this Summer.
looking forward to trying
Love the idea of raw foods! Would love to try!
Have to say, the appeal of raw foods is a new one. The kale dish looks absolutely fabulous so I would start there and then see …
I am completely in love with raw foods! I’ve even started making my own at home.
This looks like an interesting book! Would love to learn more!
Would love to learn more
been wanting to try it hear it’s way healthier!
I have gone raw in the past with the foods and I believe they made a difference, my body felt it.
I had a period where I ate mostly raw and you definitely feel a difference. I had more energy and felt great. This looks like a great book
I’ve been trying to introduce more raw foods and stuff that is more whole food minded. This sounds like a GREAT book to help with that!!
I would like to try some of the recipes .
Am looking forward to trying the kale salad and cauliflower couscous recipes–yum!!
hi. i would love to experiment with the “raw” way of eating!
Sounds healthy. Would love to experiment; ordered the e book version – can’t wait to start!
I am very interested in trying raw cuisine for health reasons, but the hardest part is the transition, or een a half transition to raw and cooked vegan. Is there any guide available to help with this?
After way too many “talkings to” from my doctor about my weight, cholesterol, and sugar levels, I am finally ready to change my eating habits. I’m amazed at how good ‘plain’ food actually tastes. But I sure can use some help with better recipes to help convince my family that this is the way to go.
We are not ready to go 100% raw, but are willing to incorporate some of the recipes into our menu.
I just can’t imagine getting started on this. Where do you begin. I have read so much about this but I can never seem to apply it to my life.
The cauliflower couscous looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
I have several friends who have gone raw so this cookbook can help me cook creatively for them.
Raw Vegan vs. Paleo diet fans: Food fight!
My Vegan daughter would be excited to share the recipes with me!
Sounds great!!!
I try to eat as many veges as I can raw. I eat at Sweet Tomatoes, a salad bar,often.
I don’t want to go totally raw but this will help me do a 1/2-1/2 diet
I just am starting to eat some raw foods and would really like to win this cookbook as I also collect cookbooks.
I have been searching for easy raw recipes. So many I’ve tried have been time-consuming and then disappointing.
I would love to eat raw but I dont have that much time and knowldge.
It’s certainly something I’d be willing to incorporate into our diets.
I’ve been hearing a lot about raw foods but I don’t know anyone who’s on a raw (or even partially raw) diet. I’d love to give it a whirl, especially now that summer’s coming and my garden will be producing soon. Imagine it, I could lead a trend in my circle!
Sounds great…can’t wait to try these and have a whole new repetoire for Shavuot!
Love eating healthy and would love to try this book 🙂
Would like to try them.
Eating raw is healing, life giving, and delicious! Looks like a great un-cook book. 🙂
I’ve taken a raw food “cooking” class from Judita. She’s amazing and her other book “Going Raw” is also excellent.
I have recently been getting into raw foods and sometimes I feel stuck without a dehydrator. These recipes look amazing and easy. Thank you for posting such healthy recipes!
Does eating only raw mean you don’t eat meat, fish or eggs? How does that work? I’m very curious about this.