During the summer months we naturally crave and want to eat lighter foods and foods that help to naturally cool and hydrate the body. So, if you can’t stand the heat then get in the kitchen and make some raw vegan foods. I like to refer to raw vegan food preparation as “un”cooking and it is perfect for the summer season. Raw vegan foods are also perfect for cleansing and detoxifying the body, increased energy and weight loss. Replace one or two of your cooked meals this summer season for a raw vegan meal and take note on how AMAZING you feel after a highly nutritious meal.

So, I bet you are wondering:

WHAT EXACTLY IS RAW VEGAN FOOD?

Raw vegan food consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts seeds, sprouts and sea vegetables. Nothing is cooked or heated above 115 to 118 degrees. The school of thought is that when fresh living foods are heated above these temperatures they will start to get depleted in their nutritional value. When some people think of raw vegan foods people think of only salads and how can that possibly be enjoyable? However, in the raw world you can create some of the same flavors and textures that you are use to consuming in the standard American diet. Check out some of my older blog post for super yummy raw recipes.

WHY RAW VEGAN FOOD?

Well once you start to feel the AMAZING and transforming results of consuming fresh living foods you might ask yourself why haven’t I been doing this all along. Raw vegan cuisine supplies you with an abundance of vitamins and minerals and is very high on the nutritional scale. Raw vegan foods are less taxing on the digestive system therefore providing us with a more light energy and a less bogged down feeling that we might experience from consuming cooked foods at each meal.

HOW DO I PREPARE RAW VEGAN FOODS?

Preparing raw vegan food is very easy especially once you get the hang of it. A lot of people think of it as difficult and time consuming. However, I’d like to suggest that it’s not very difficult just different from what we are use to. Eating fresh food in its natural state can be really simple and easy, just think of grabbing your favorite fresh fruit for breakfast or for a snack or making a delicious smoothie and if you are ready to dive all the way in you can create some really intricate dishes with exotic flavors that will send your taste buds leaping for joy. In order to make raw vegan food preparation seamless check out my older blog post on HOW TO VEGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN. Also check out some of my older blog post for some quick and easy raw vegan recipes with specific instructions on how to create the perfect raw vegan meal in the comfort of your own home.

HOW DO I FIND A RAW FRIENDLY RESTAURANT IN MY AREA?

Maybe you want to experience a raw friendly meal just to see what this type of cuisine is all about. Well if you are visiting to New York or California anytime soon you will find raw vegan food in abundance. However another great resource to check out before traveling is www.happycow.net for both vegan and raw vegan options.

Keep cool this summer and leave me a comment below on one raw vegan food that you will try this summer!!!