Wednesday, October 29th, 2008

Raw Diet On The Go: 3 Quick Tips

by Kristen Suzanne in travel

I’m frequently asked how I stay Raw with a busy lifestyle. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:

1) Green Smoothies - an easy solution. A great tip is to make a large batch of Green Smoothie in the morning and divide it between a couple mason jars. Then, depending on the season, pack a cooler (or not, if it’s cold outside) for your car, put in your Green Smoothies and go! This way, you’re always prepared and have delicious, nutritious, and energizing food where ever you are. I even take a green smoothie in my (large) purse to the movie theater! With apples in season, now is the perfect time for a Fluffy Green Smoothie.

When people ask you what’s that “green stuff” you’re drinking, take advantage of the opportunity to tell them about Raw food and Energizing Green Smoothies!

2) Packaged Raw food – talk about quick! When I’m on the run and don’t have time to make my own cookies or bars, there are some great alternatives. (These also make super snack foods when going to the movies if you’re not in the mood for a green smoothie.) Two great companies: The Pure Bar (I’m fond of the Chocolate Brownie flavor) and Laughing Giraffe (the “snackaroons” are total heaven). Both companies are available at Whole Foods or online AND make terrific snacks for those hungry kids when you’re out running errands.

If you don’t have these on hand when you’re running out the door, no worries. One of my favorite and super easy snacks to take on the go: Organic dates and hemp seeds (or any nuts/seeds)! Just toss some in a ziploc and go.

3) Fresh fruit & veggies – eco-friendly nutrition! My favorite grab-n-go foods: bananas, apples, pears, cucumbers, and red (orange and yellow) bell peppers. You can literally take them as is, no need for any extra packaging.

Daily conversation question:
What would you love to find at a yard sale?

Snowboarding Adventure and Staying Raw

by Kristen Suzanne in travel

Tomorrow we’re leaving for a snowboarding trip. Whoo-hoo! I used to be a big-time skier, but this is the first time I’ll be snowboarding. I can’t wait! It’s going to be awesome exercise and I’m sure I’ll work muscles that I haven’t used in a VERY long time.

Staying Raw while going on our snowboarding adventure will be super easy. I’m not going to abandon my healthy eating habits while I’m on the slopes, so I’m planning in advance. Since we’re driving to the mountains for our adventure, we’re able to take a cooler, which will be full of fresh produce. I packed my Tribest Personal Blender so we can still enjoy our super nutritious smoothies every morning and evening. (To keep our produce fresh, I’ll change out the ice in the cooler using the hotel’s ice machine.)

I packed organic Raw Sweet Vanilla Rain Almonds (recipe in this ebook), along with fresh dates, dehydrated buckwheat groats and energy bars (all perfect for stuffing into my ski coat pockets) which will serve as filling snacks when we’re warming up in the lodge between runs – clearly I won’t be having the traditional donuts and hot chocolate.

I researched the area for health food stores (fresh, organic produce) and vegan-friendly restaurants ahead of time. What did people do before the Internet? And, when we’re back in the room and need a midnight snack…no worries!…I’m prepared with Raw cookies.

Living the Raw vegan lifestyle is easy even when I’m away from home because I make it that way. It’s simply a matter of thinking ahead, being prepared and packing the essentials.

Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness. ~Edward Stanley, Earl of Derby, speech 1873