We all need to hit the reset button and this is the perfect time of year to do it.
I did a raw juice cleanse a couple of years ago (wasn't the best experience) and told myself that I would only do another one if I could chew my raw fruit and vegetables, too.
If you're interested in transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, I think doing a raw vegan cleanse/detox is a great way to reset your palate.
Some of the people I've interviewed on my podcast started their vegan journey this way.
They start off by doing a 7-30 day challenge of raw vegan meals, smoothies and/or juice and then transition to a healthy vegan lifestyle of both raw and cooked meals.
Since I still have to cook for the kids (Eric is joining me - Woo hoo!), I will keep our raw meals super simple during this challenge. We will probably eat mono meals, drink smoothies and eat basic salads with lots of raw greens the whole time.
Guidelines for the 7-Day Raw Food Challenge:
No meat, dairy, wheat, eggs, processed sugar or alcohol
Eat plenty of fresh fruit, raw vegetables and drink fresh juice & smoothies
Drink lots of water
You can also drink warm tea and warm water with lemon
Be super gentle with yourself
I put together a quick video about the challenge here...
So in case you're wondering....
What the heck is a raw vegan?
Raw veganism is a diet that combines the concepts of veganism and raw foodism. It excludes all food and products of animal origin, as well as food cooked at a temperature above 48 °C (118 °F). -Wiki Get more info here
What is there left to eat?
raw fruit, raw vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, sprouts, smoothies, fresh juice, etc.
I found this raw food pyramid that offers more details....
What kitchen equipment will you need?
I don't recommend running out to purchase gadgets for this challenge, so keep it simple with what you already have.
Blender for smoothies and/or juice
Juicer I had this one before, but upgraded to this one recently (I love it!). You can also make you juice using a blender (like I did in this video)
Chef's knife & cutting board for chopping fruit and vegetables
Here Are Some Tips to Make This Challenge Work for You:
Since I had Chemese on my podcast to talk about her 100-day juice/smoothie cleanse and how she lost over 100 lbs eating raw meals, I knew she would have some great tips on how to move forward with this challenge.
Chemese said:
"For me, what made all the difference is not focusing on what I was giving up but on the good things I could eat."
Here are her tips to stay on track:
Make sure to eat enough
Take it one day at time
Educate Yourself
Avoid GMO foods
Plan what you are going to eat for the whole day
Keep it simple (mono meals)
Drink a lot of water
Get plenty of rest
Check out these books, YouTube channels and recipes for more info on raw vegan life....
Books:
Going Raw by Judita Wignall
Ani's Raw Food Kitchen by Ani Phyo
Choosing Raw by Gena Hamshaw
Everyday Raw by Matthew Kenney
The 80/10/10 Diet by Douglas N. Graham
Practically Raw: Flexible Raw Recipes Anyone Can Make by Amber Shea Crawley
The Fully Raw Diet by Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram
Crazy Sexy Juice by Kris Carr
YouTube Channels:
>> Download it for free here << Check out the blog post she wrote here.
Recipes
Fresh Juice
Apple, lime and carrot juice from This Rawsome Vegan Life
Badass Juice from Fully Raw Kristina
Banana Pineapple Green Drink from Rawmazing
The Fully Raw Lucky Charm Juice from Fully Raw Kristina
Cranberry Cleanser from Byzantine Flowers
Entrees
Cucumber Avocado Rolls from It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken
Zesty Lime Corn Salad from Nouveau Raw
Raw Tomato Basil Soup from Linda Wagner
Raw Vegan Curry Over Zucchini Noodles from The Fitchen
Taco Salad from Fully Raw Kristina
Raw Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta from Vegan Yack Attack
Smoothies
Berry Banana Smoothie from This Rawsome Vegan Life
Raw Mango Lassi Love from Happy & Raw
Blueberry & Peach Smoothie from Brown Vegan
Raw Carob Mint Smoothie from Happy & Raw
Green Smoothie from Brown Vegan
Kiwi Apple Smoothie from Happy & Raw
Raspberry "Cheesecake" Smoothie from Mind Green Body
Blueberry & Avocado Detox Smoothie from The Anastasia Co.
Papaya Smoothie Bowl from Happy & Raw
Green Mojito Smoothie from Vegan Yack Attack
Salads
Shredded Carrot Zucchini Salad from Happy & Raw
Greek Salad with Kale & Cauliflower "Feta" Salad from Blissful Basil
Cucumber Avocado Salad from Sweet Potato Soul
Simple Mason Jar Salad from Eat Within Your Means
Rainbow Salad and Guacamole from Fully Raw Kristina
Raw Cauliflower-Tomato Detox Salad from Blissful Basil
Mediterranean Salad from Fully Raw Kristina
Herbal Vegan Detox:
You can also do a 14-day herbal detox (I’ve done it 3 times)
I recommend Dr. Bobby Price’s detox
Use discount code “brownvegan” to save 10% (I get nothing for this discount code. Dr. Price was generous enough to offer it to my audience)
Dr. Price was also on my podcast three times:
91. From Drug Dealing To Herb Healing With Dr. Bobby Price
177. Why Fruit is the Gateway to A Healthy Life & Focus vs Balance with Dr. Bobby Price
