Raw Food Christmas Recipes

How to Have a Healthier Christmas Meal Using Ideas from the Raw Diet

Dec 4, 2008 Hayley Nichols

Whether you follow a raw food diet or simply want to avoid the traditional unhealthy, fattening dishes this Christmas, here are some facts and recipes to try.

Following a raw food diet doesn't have to mean missing out on Christmas festivities. If you are hosting a Christmas dinner for family and friends, you can show them that raw food can be just as delicious and varied as a traditional cooked dinner. Or, try including some raw food dishes on the menu to balance the more traditional, 'stodgier' items.

Benefits of Raw Food

Raw food is a revolutionary way of healthy eating. Proponents claim that eating raw gives the body maximum access to nutrients and enzymes that are 'killed off' by cooking. The body also needs less energy to digest raw food than cooked food, leaving it less susceptible to disease. Here are some specific benefits of eating raw food:

• More energy
• Help to reach ideal weight
• Clear, healthy skin
• Can help natural immunity, preventing illness and reducing duration of illness

However, a raw food diet is not for everyone, and there are risks as well as benefits. Some people choose to eat a diet that is 80-90% raw and still include some cooked food. It is important to consider one's own body type and nutritional needs, ideally seeking advice from a nutritionist, particularly if breastfeeding or other extra demands are placed on the body.

To find out more about the underlying philosophy of raw food diets, see 3 Things Raw Foodists Believe.

Ingredients For Raw Food Preparation

To start off with, you only need basic ingredients, preferably but not always organic:

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Seasonings

Equipment For Raw Food Preparation

• Dehydrater (although for many recipes, an oven on low setting will do)
• Blender/food processor
• Nut or coffee mill
• Large bowls

Traditional Christmas staples such as potatoes and turkey are not off limits. The following recipes, from Pretty Smart Raw Food Ideas, don't require any special ingredients.

Amazing Sweet Potatoes Recipe

• 2-3 sweet potatoes (or yams)
• 1 cup dried coconut
• 2 apples
• 1/4 cup ginger root
• 4 juiced lemons
• 2 juiced oranges
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts

Chop sweet potatoes, apples and ginger, and either run through the juicer or grate them. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add shredded dried coconut, lemon and orange juices, and chopped walnuts. Mix thoroughly.

Mock Turkey Recipe

• 1 bunch celery
• 1 green onion
• parsley to taste
• 1 cup almonds/ pecans
• 1 avocado
• sage to taste

In a food processor, puree celery, green onion and parsley. Drain (saving the juice for soup). Grind nuts finely in a nut or coffee mill. Mash avocado thoroughly with a fork. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Form patties and place each patty on a leaf of lettuce. Serve with cranberry sauce.

Pumpkin Pie Recipe

• 2 cups soaked almonds
• 1 cup soaked walnuts/pecans
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 20 dates, soaked overnight
• 2 cups cashews, soaked overnight and drained
• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced.
• 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• drizzle agave nectar

To make the crust, combine the almonds and walnuts/pecans with the coconut, using a food processor, and process until ground fine and dough-like. Pat the dough into two pie plates.

To make the filling, drain the dates, reserving the soak water. Puree the dates, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie spice in a food processor. Remove the mixture and set aside in a bowl. Then process cashews, agave nectar, vanilla, and date soak water as needed, until smooth and creamy. Combine the cashew mixture and sweet potato mix puree. Spread the filling in pie shells. Dehydrate for 6 hours, then refrigerate.

Raw Food Resources

If you feel inspired to find out more, here are some helpful books:

Erika Lenkert and Juliano (celebrity California raw restaurant owner) - Raw: The Uncook Book (HarperCollins, 1999)

Russell James - The Raw Chef's Recipe Series: Christmas Recipes (E Book)

The copyright of the article Raw Food Christmas Recipes in Vegetarian Cuisine is owned by Hayley Nichols. Permission to republish Raw Food Christmas Recipes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.