1. What is your work-out/ exercise routine like?
Consistency overall is much more important than technique. I mostly focus on upper body doing weights, and work out my lower body by walking and bicycling. With each work out my strategy is to really stress the muscles. For example, while doing push-ups, hold your last one in the halfway point till you cant anymore. The harder you make your muscles work, the quicker they will adapt to the stress. You will see quicker results. I feel so sorry for the people I see at the gym who do a little bit of an exercise on one machine, then get bored and go to another…they are wasting their time. I see them years later and they look the same. As far as exercise is concerned, its all
about intensity, and consistency.
2. What are your favorite raw foods?
Tropical fruits that I can’t find here in the states. Soursop, sapote, fresh durians, and wild coconuts are my favorites for sure. And a big bowl of fresh figs or persimmons will put a huge smile on my face any day.
3. What are your favorite raw restaurants?
I really love Au Lac in Orange County, California, and Quintessence in New York. There are SO many that I’ve not been to yet though, so its totally possible that this list could change.
4. What were some of your biggest obstacles while transitioning to raw food?
LACK. I was lacking a raw community, I was lacking raw knowledge because I didnt feel that I needed to buy more material about raw food…I felt I knew enough, and I was lacking the right equipment to make delicious foods that would keep me from wanting my previously enjoyed processed foods. I was also around too much free cooked food. That is a big one. I would never really buy bad food, but if it was around for free, then I would have to try some of it. I think the biggest thing is learning how to make good raw food easily. Get some good raw recipe books and invest in a dehydrator and a food processor so you can make items beyond smoothies. And by having raw friends that you can go out to restaurants with… well, that makes it SO much easier.
5. How would you suggest that I begin with raw foods?
Ideally, I would suggest incorporating green smoothies into your diet. This is a blend of leafy greens and fruit. It tastes like fruit because usually the greens are quite neutral in taste. This way you can get all the alkalizing minerals not found in other foods. This has led to extreme changes for me…and I would recommend more greens over anything else. However, if you just want to get started and you are coming from a totally standard diet, I would advise to just begin with breakfast. Have nothing but wonderful fresh fruit for breakfast for one week and see if you notice any changes. Then, when you are ready, have a BIG salad with lots of avocado and sundried tomato or whatever else you love. Make sure the dressing is not from a bottle though. Best to just make a mixture of honey, olive oil, and lemon juice. Then add in all your toppings. You have lots of time to adjust, so dont feel pressured to change overnight or even over the course of a few months. I tried to go 100% right away, and though for the most part I was able to maintain that, I would crash occasionally and have to readjust afterwards. Its best to learn as much as you can and make it fun.
There are so many tropical fruits and fun things out there that most people have never tried…so get exploring and see what you like. There is so much more out there than pizza, eggs, burgers, milk, cheese, and bread.
6. Are there any appliances that you would recommend?
I'm not tied to any appliance companies, so I will simply state what I use myself.
I have a Vita-mix blender. In the first 2 years of going raw, I held off thinking they were too expensive, and then in the Spring of 2007 I decided to get one. One day after using it, I was kicking myself for not getting it sooner. I was saving so much time and was able to make higher caliber smoothies… it was a shame that I was too cheap to get one earlier. I would highly recommend the vita-mix.
For a food processor, I have a Cuisinart. Having a food processor opens up many more recipe options, and allows you to enjoy being raw much more than if you were without one. Besides a good blender, I would suggest in investing in a food processor.
As for the dehydrator, I have a 4 tray Excalibur. It is their smallest model, and is appropriate for my Manhattan apartment, but its likely that you’ll want something larger. Excalibur is by far my favorite brand for dehydrators. Very easy to use with even air flow and tempature, and it will now allow you to make everything you find in a raw recipe book. From granola, onion bread, flax crakers, and fruit roll-ups…being raw was never more enjoyable.