My typical day of eating Raw

As I was sitting down to my meal today, I thought it would be great to just do a simple post on what a typical day of raw eating consists of, for me. When I first started on the raw journey a year ago, I was overwhelmed with the whole idea of how to satisfy the family by just eating raw for a day...it seemed like a real challenge, but over the course of a year or more, I have simplified my raw eating quite a lot. In the beginning I spent many hours searching books and Internet sites for great raw recipe ideas to imitate cooked versions filled with loads of nuts and spent many hours in the kitchen preparing. Today things are a lot simpler and I don't spend much time thinking about the next meal.
Here is what a typical day of eating raw with no fuss is for me.

Breakfast: I usually love to eat a big bowl of chia pudding, filled with nuts, fruit and almond milk. I keep it interesting by changing the fruit to coincide with the seasons and sometimes blend the pudding and add a banana to make a creamy consistency or chia milkshake. I have even lately used blended berries instead of almond milk. I love to start the day with a big breakfast to keep me satisfied until midday or later. I feel better eating a large high nut and seed meal at the beginning of the day so that I have the rest of the day to 'work it off'
Occasionally (generally around the new moon) I wont feel like eating a large breakfast as my appetite is slower, so start the day with a fresh juice or fresh fruit.

Chia breakfast with 'the lot'

Chia banana milkshake

Blended Chia pudding with raspberries

Lunch: I tend to feel like eating lunch around 1 or 2 pm. This meal is generally a large selection of salads. I love to create a smorgasbord of salads with a 'choose your own' salad dressing. Like today, I filled bowls with grated carrot, grated beetroot, homemade sauerkraut, home preserved olives in oil and herbs, a bowl of fresh sprouts with avocado, a salad of diced tomato, fresh basil and garden greens, hemp seeds and then drizzled in lemon juice, cucumber slices in a balsamic vinegar, broccoli bits in a raw sweet and sour dressing. I then left a couple of left over dressings on the table. All these dishes take a minute to create and makes for a real 'family friendly' raw meal time. 
I love salads and there is no limit to what fresh raw ingredients you can use in season and every dish can be made unique by changing the dressings. 

A selection of raw colour

An array of seasonal salad options for all the family

Dinner:  At the end of a day, as we wind our bodies down and prepare for a night of sleeping, the last thing we should be doing is stuffing our bodies with a big meal, so I like to eat a fruit platter for dinner. If I'm extra hungry, I will toss in some seeds or nuts or like tonight, a large scoop of fresh young coconut cream (made by blending flesh of young coconut and a date). Sometimes I will enjoy my fruit as a delicious almond milk smoothie as an alternative. As the kids are growing and use up lots more energy, I will lightly steam some vegetables with quinoa, or a boiled egg for them at night if they request it. 

Delicious mango and strawberry fruit salad

Fresh fruit options for dinner with an added dollop of 'young coconut cream'

Dessert: As an occasional special treat, I love to make a raw dessert - usually something sweet and chocolaty. This will be indulged any time of the day and doesn't last long!

decadent raw caramel slice for a luxurious dessert

Sweet raw balls of chocolate for a sweet treat.

Decadent raw cake for desserts

 Snacks: Snack are always just fresh fruit - I have a constantly full fruit bowl brimming with organic fresh fruit for all day access. I love fruit and find it so easy to snack on.

This is my typical day that I feel is easily achieved. When I am in the mood or have the time, I do like to create a raw masterpiece, or trial a new recipe, but generally this is what I like to maintain daily. By consuming a good portion of fruit, vegetables, greens, seeds and nuts everyday, I feel balanced in mind and body.