Cold Weather Raw Food Diet

Let us establish before launching into this topic--the Raw Food Diet for Cold Weather--that I am not a vegetarian, vegan or raw food diet proponent. However, the politics, attitudes and considerations of diet are of constant interest to those of us who live and must consume something to fuel our systems.

The Raw Food Diet is not a new concept. The idea has been around since the late 1800's. Proponents advocate that raw fruits and vegetables are human's correct and natural diet. It should be noted that while many Raw Food advocates are vegetarian, others may consume milk, eggs or meat as a part of their provender. The rules for Raw Food diet are fairly simple: the foods should be processed as little as possible, and should not be heated above 116F. Interestingly, drying and fermenting seem to be allowable as long as minimal amounts of heat are applied.

Although many people like to have hot drinks, soups, and heavy breads as a part of their cold-weather diet, the real truth is that our bodies warm themselves by burning calories. The temperature of the food consumed may have a comfort factor for our hands, but really does not affect it ability to warm us up. Ice cream can deliver the needed calories as efficiently as a cup of cocoa.

With this in mind, I began researching the possibilities for a cold-weather, raw food diet.

Cereals:

Since food is not to be heated above 116F, obviously breads, cakes and cookies are out. However, trail mixes including home-milled cereals (commercial oat flakes include a heating process that is higher than the indicated temperature), dried fruit and nuts can be a filling staple.

Soaked wheat or oat groats can be an option for early morning cereal.

Where calories are not a consideration, honey can be used to stick cereal, nuts and fruit together to form a bar.

Vegetables:

Veggies are good for us year-round. The primary problem with a fresh food diet may be accessibility of fresh vegetables in cold climates, particularly if the consumer is trying to cut down on food miles. However, some vegetables store well. Cabbages, potatoes, carrots, and turnips all are traditional root-cellar staples. Of all of these, only potatoes are traditionally cooked before eating. Potatoes can be eaten raw in moderation; however, they should be checked carefully for green areas.

Sprouts are easy to grow in a sunny window any time of year. A supply of seeds can be established in early fall and used to create green salads. Many seed companies and cooking stores carry sprouters that are easy to use and maintain.

Fruit:

Fruits are nature's candy, regardless of your dietary orientation. Sun-dried fruits fall within the Raw Diet's strictures. Apples and oranges both keep well in a protected environment, such as a dry root cellar.

Nuts:

Nuts are going to be a mainstay for Vegetarian and Vegan Raw Dieters. They are rich in oils, vitamins and proteins. Unlike vegetables and fruits, they store well as long as they are kept dry and cool.

Ovo/Lactate Vegetarians: Despite recent trends in the food industry, both milk and eggs from healthy, correctly kept animals, may be consumed raw. This may mean, however, becoming a person who keeps dairy animals or poultry in order to maintain the correct environment for safe consumption. Without going too heavily into this area, I would like to note that as a child, raw milk was the only kind served in our home. I grew up on a dairy farm. Further, till the mid-1980's, I regularly home-made eggnog using milk and raw eggs. However, as factory farming has become more prevalent, using the eggs purchased from the grocery store without cooking may well be an invitation to a serious illness.

Raw Meat:

This is a topic that makes me more than a little worried to even mention; however, some types of fish and beef from veterinary certified animals may be safe to consume without cooking. I would consider it risky business.

Fruits and Vegetables that travel:

Avocados would be a good cold-weather vegetable. They are rich in vitamins, and oils, and can be consumed with an absolute minimal amount of preparation. Bananas can also be a dietary mainstay.

While it is my personal feeling that some foods need a bit of cooking, it is true that we have become a nation of humans who habitually consume over-prepared foods. Most of us could benefit from a few more fresh fruits and veggies in our diet.

Here is an idea for one day of cold-weather foods:

Breakfast:

Put a dish of oat-groats to soak the night before. Milk your cow, and set the milk in a cool place for the cream to separate naturally.

In the morning, top a dish of the resultant cereal with honey and a dollop of fresh cream. Accompany this repast with a tall glass of fresh water and an orange.

Crush a handful of mint leaves into a glass to soak for lunch.

Lunch:

1/2 cup nuts
1 avocado
Salt/pepper to taste
A handful of dried-apple rings
Cold infusion of mint to drink
Dish of flattened oat-groats

Dinner:

One banana
A dish of Pomegranate seeds with pulp on
Glass of egg-nog
Sprout salad
Fresh pear