A raw food diet is one that features foods in their most natural form and are prepared without heating to above 118 degrees Fahrenheit. A raw food diet can help athletes with their energy and endurance, it can aid in weight loss and it can improve important functions in your body such as digestion, cardiovascular health and reduce adrenal fatigue. The Art of Raw Food by Jens Caspuei and Vibeke Kaupert features over 100 raw food recipes that are simple and delicious. This is the perfect introduction to learn how to incorporate more raw foods into your diet and start you way to living and even healthier and happier life.
Layout: The layout of this recipe book is clean, and clear. The book is broken into sections with the first featuring the history, benefits and other details regarding a raw lifestyle. The recipes and numbered and arranged my sections. Additionally, in each of the recipes the ingredients and the directions are clearly identified.
Aesthetics: The Art of Raw Food is wonderful because it features a photo for each recipe, which is a great reference when you are trying a new recipe. Also from my experience the photos in the book accurately depict the recipes, although the quality is much better than my own. The composition and lighting of the photos shows the food in wonderful light and make you excited to try the recipe. The photos and recipes are on a high quality gloss paper and has a beautiful printed hardcover.
Recipes: The Art of Raw Food features over 100 delicious, (mostly) quick and easy raw recipes. The book includes recipes for breakfast, entrees, dips, soups, salads, smoothies, desserts and more. Although most are simple these recipes highlight wonderful foods in new and exciting non-cooked ways. The recipes are great for both beginners and those slightly more experienced. They are all easy to create and most can be create in 20-30 minutes. There are some recipes that will take additional time because they require time for soaking or time to sit before they are ready to be consumed. I tired a number of recipes and my favorites include Museli, a wonderful combination of dried and fresh fruits and nuts and the Yummy Blueberry-Strawberry Shake. I’m looking forward to having a special occasion to try one of the dessert pies or tarts, now I just need to find a date and decide between the Sinful Chocolate Pie and the Carrot Cake.
Raw Museli pg. 54Â
Ingredients: You will not be searching around for obscure ingredients for recipes in this book. Almost all of the recipes (exceptions being seasonal items and some fruit) are made with ingredients that are readily available in most natural food stores and grocery stores. This is one thing that stands out with this particular raw recipe book as well as the fact that you don’t have to have a fancier juicer or dehydrator to create quick, easy and healthy dishes. You will need a blender and/or a food processor for some recipes, as well as your other standard kitchen items (knife, bowls, measuring cups/spoons, etc).
Overall: Overall I thought that this book was really wonderful. Unlike other raw food recipe books that I have you do not have to have a number of appliances such as a dehydrator, high power blender or juicer. The photos make it easier to recreate the recipes because not only are the beautiful but they also accurately depict the recipe. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in adding more raw meals to their diet and to those who are looking for quick, easy, healthy and delicious raw recipes. The Art of Raw Food allows anyone from beginner to experienced to create wonderful and healthy raw recipes.
Hi Lindsay! I try to incorporate lots of fresh fruits and veggies into my diet everyday, but is there a perfectly healthy balance that you’d recommend?
Hi Talia,
A balance of both raw and lightly cooked vegetables are important throughout the day. A good rule of measure is at lunch and dinner fill half of your plate with vegetables, 1/4 with whole grains and 1/4 with lean protein. At breakfast try to squeeze in fruit and/or vegetables; a great way to get both in is a green smoothie. Additionally when you eat vegetables eat the rainbow; each vegetable provides different nutrients for our body.