Introduction

 

Regardless of what type of diet you choose to follow, natural health practitioners all recommend, that at least 50% of your diet comes from raw foods.  This means that whether you follow a vegetarian diet, a Paleo diet, a macrobiotic diet, Zone diet, low-carb, low-fat, or anything in-between diet, 50% of your daily intake should be from raw foods.  Why is that?

 

Because, eating raw foods, supplies your body with vital and very necessary enzymes that are responsible for not only the digestion of the foods you eat, but also, for the proper assimilation of nutrients.  Raw foods flood your body with vitamins, minerals and amino acids that cooked foods are devoid of.  Food enzymes and nutrients are heat-sensitive, and cooking actually destroys both the natural enzymes found in food, as well as many of the vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

 

While many people fear the perceived complexity or limitation of eating raw foods, most would be surprised, to learn just how easy it is to get your minimum 50% raw food quota into your daily diet.  And, we're not talking about just eating some raw fruit or vegetable 'as-is'.  We're talking about delicious raw appetizers, side dishes, main courses, desserts and more. 

 

This second book in 'The Veggie Goddess' cookbook series continues to follow the ‘easy for all levels of cooking abilities’ guideline, and, all of the raw food recipes in this book are an easy 5 ingredients or less.  Additionally, you won't need to purchase any special kitchen gadgets or devices.

 

You DON'T need a dehydrator.

You DON'T need a juicer.

You DON'T need a spiralizer.

 

The only items you'll need, to follow these amazingly simple and delicious raw food recipes, are a blender and cutting utensils. 

 

So, it is with my unwavering passion for all things natural and nature-based, that I lovingly present to you this second book in The Veggie Goddess cookbook series.

 

Bon Veggie Appetit!

 

Gina ‘The Veggie Goddess’ Matthews

 

Chapter 1 – 5 Ingredients or Less, Raw Beverage Recipes

 

5 ingredients or less, 5 minutes or less, and a blender, are all you’ll need to whip up these refreshing, satisfying and absolutely delicious raw beverage recipes.  And, once you get the hang of blending flavors, you can start to play around with your favorite fruits and veggies, to create your own unique signature raw food beverage.

 

Fruity-licious Smoothie

 

Ingredients:

1 large banana (peeled, and cut into small chunks)

2 oranges (peeled and segmented)

½ cup of your favorite berry (strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, boysenberry)

 

Put all ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.  If you’d like a slightly frozen version, then freeze the banana and berries before blending.