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Rawfood, vegan, vegetarian, plant based & healthy eating in Scotland

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How to grow your own microgreens

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Dec 24 0

Would you like to grow your own microgreens but never seem to get around to it because it just feels like it will be too much work?  Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s really easy, doesn’t take much time, and at the end of it you get your very own home-grown baby greens, bursting with flavour and nutrition – what more could you ask for?

What are microgreens?

I’m glad you asked 🙂  Microgreens are young green leafy plants that have not yet grown to maturity.  They are one step up from sprouts.  If you can sprout it, then you can grow it into a microgreen.  Unlike sprouts however, microgreens need soil and light in order to grow.

Microgreens are an ideal addition to any self-respecting raw foodie’s diet, as the young tender leaves are perfect for eating raw (in fact, cooking is not recommended as they are so delicate) and they won’t contain the anti-nutrients that more mature plants can develop over time.  Not only that, research has shown that they contain 4 – 40 times more nutrients than mature plants.

AND they’re so tasty!

How to get started

To begin, you will need a box or tray of some kind.  Any size will do, depending on how much you want to grow, and how much space you have.  Just use anything that you can put compost in.  I usually use these kind of trays, but you could adapt any old crate that you happen to have lying around.

It’s best to use one tray with small holes for drainage, then place it inside another tray without holes to catch the water, especially if you’re planning to grow your microgreens indoors.

Line the tray with a couple of inches of compost, water it lightly (it should be damp, but not too wet), sprinkle the seeds on top, then cover with another thin layer of compost.  You don’t need to space the seeds out like you would when growing mature plants; you can scatter them quite thickly.  You’re aiming for the seeds quite close together, without them getting too crowded and actually touching.

You can cover the trays with a lid in the first few days, as this helps retain moisture and speed up the germination process.  Water them as often as necessary, not too much.  After a couple of weeks your microgreens should be ready.

Where should I grow them?

Find a warm bright place such as a sunny windowsill.  It also helps to have a good source of ventilation, to avoid mould.

What kind of microgreens should I grow?

Some of my favourite microgreens include:

Snow pea greens

Good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and folic acid

Sunflower greens

Another rawfood classic – have a read of this informative website for a list of benefits

Radish and broccoli

I love these because they’re so hardy and grow so easily – not to mention their super-duper nutrition.  They’re a pretty strong and spicy taste.

Fenugreek

Adds a tasty curry flavour to your salad

And not forgetting – the mighty wheatgrass!  This is a fantastic microgreen to grow so you can enjoy all the benefits of fresh wheatgrass juice.

There are plenty more types of seeds you can try, so have a play about and see what suits your taste buds.

Should I soak the seeds beforehand?

If you’re familiar with sprouting, you might be wondering whether you should soak the seeds in water first.  This is optional really; I’ve grown microgreens successfully from soaked and unsoaked seeds.  One nice advantage to soaking them first is that you can enrich the soak water with minerals and enhance the nutrition of your plants.  A simple way to do this is to add a tiny pinch of sea salt and let it dissolve in the water.

Having problems growing your microgreens?

Check out this website, it lists some great solutions for issues such as mould and slow germination.

Good luck with your microgreens!  I hope this article was helpful for you 🙂

Raw food and camping in Orkney and the Outer Hebrides

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Nov 23 4

I recently had a camping trip around Orkney and the Outer Hebrides – wow, what an amazing time, there certainly are some incredible places to visit here in Scotland!

So I thought it would be helpful to share a little of my experiences in finding good places to eat raw food along my travels.

Of course, like any sensible raw foodist, I went well-prepared: stocked up with plenty of fruit and veg, and even some raw juices and smoothies which I’d pre-made and frozen before setting off.

It turns out I didn’t need to be quite SO well-prepared though, as even before we’d got our first ferry we found ourselves at The Green Welly in Tyndrum.  This is a smashing stop-off point that you’re sure to come across if you’re travelling around Scotland as it’s situated on the A82 in the middle of Loch Lomond, Fort William, Perth, and of course Oban, which was where we were headed.

It sells fuel, food and gifts, and is always surrounded by swarms of friendly bikers.  Make your way to the back of the shop (avert your eyes from the home-made brownies! Resist, resist!!) to the chilled section and you will see a nice little selection of fresh fruit and juices.  Proper freshly-squeezed orange juice no less – none of that pasteurised nonsense!  I got some Scottish strawberries for my lunch on the ferry.

The journey from Oban to Uist takes around 6 hours, and the café on the ferry isn’t exactly bursting with rawness, so it’s a good idea to bring your own food.  I was glad of my strawberries, they went nicely with my flask of green juice, sat out in the sunshine watching the waves go by.

Once we got to Uist we set up our tent in a lovely little campsite right by a gorgeous white sand beach (the first of many!).  I gathered up some wild edibles and made some tasty warming herbal tea on our little camping stove (I may be a raw foodie but like any typical Brit I’m never giving up my tea, no way!).

Here are a couple of places I’ve heard of that you might like to try if you’re hunting for some quality fresh produce while you’re in Uist:

The Big Garden http://biggarden.scot/the-big-garden/

Beautiful kitchen garden on South Uist, right by the beach, which grows and sells a variety of fresh seasonal produce.

MacLennans Supermarket  http://www.maclennanssupermarket.co.uk/

Family-owned shop in Benbecula selling fresh produce.

Luskentyre Beach Isle of Harris Outer Hebrides

Luskentyre Beach.. simply beautiful

Our next stop was the Isle of Harris, where we visited the stunning Luskentyre beach.  This beach was voted best beach in Britain, and it’s not hard to see why – it’s completely breathtaking.  I happened to stroll by the set of a music video which was being made, so I sat and watched while a girl in a long white dress walked straight into the sea until she was completely immersed in the water, cameras hovering above.  I felt really sorry for her as the wind was really biting despite the bright sunshine – she must have been freezing!

Like I say, the Outer Hebrides aren’t exactly well-equipped for raw foodists, but camping out there was a nice experience for me as it made me really simplify my diet.  I did a lot of mono-eating during this trip (mono-eating = eating one food at a time as opposed to mixing them up in a meal/recipe) as it just seemed to suit the simplicity of it all; sitting on the ground outside our little tent, surrounded by the raw beauty of the islands.

I must say that Uig Sands on the Isle of Lewis was the absolute highlight of the trip for me.  We camped on the beach up in the sand dunes and had a little spot all to ourselves.  We lit a little campfire and sat back and enjoyed a spectacular sunset over the turquoise water – it was pure heaven.

Uig Sands camping

Sunset on the Isle of Lewis

While on Lewis, the Callanish Stones are not to be missed – they are undoubtedly one of the most magical places in Scotland.

Callanish-stones

Callanish Stones – mysterious and brooding

I visited Stornaway Farmer’s Market  to stock up on some lovely fresh produce mid-way through the trip.  I got some lovely yellow courgettes amongst other things.  Their stuff is super-fresh; most of it is picked within 24 hours of it going on sale.  Get there early in the morning before it sells out!

Yellow courgette noodles

Yellow courgette noodles

When we got back on the mainland we stopped by Smoo Cave in Durness – well worth checking out on your way from Ullapool up to the Orkney ferry.

While on the mainland we also squeezed in a quick stop to Thurso and a visit to Carrots health food store to stock up on supplies.

After getting into Orkney on the ferry we headed into Kirkwall, where we stayed at the Pickaquoy Centre campsite.  Compared to our wild camping in Lewis, this felt practically like a 5 star hotel, with its heated shower complex, kitchen and lounge area and wifi.  It was also very handy for the ferry and close to town too.  There was even an option to use the spa and swimming pool at the centre – luxury!

If you’re in Kirkwall at the right time you might catch the farmer’s market in Orkney, it’s held on the last Saturday of each month.  Here is some more info: http://orkneyfarmersmarket.weebly.com/

We popped into the Real food café in Kirkwall for lunch.  In terms of rawfood, it only really provided salads,  but it had such a lovely atmosphere that I thought it was worth a mention.

We travelled around Orkney, staying at the Birsay Outdoor Centre and the gorgeous Wheems Organic Farm, where we had some fantastic hot sunny weather.  The handy thing about staying at Wheems was that they sold their own organic veg on site.

A simple lunch at Wheems Farm

A simple lunch at Wheems Farm

Stromness was a cute little town to visit, and we found a lovely health food store there that sold a great range of goods including raw chocolate, seaweed, and herbs.

While in Orkney we visited some fantastic places, including the spectacular Ring of Brodgar 5000 year old standing stones, the beautiful Italian Chapel, and the fascinating Neolithic settlement of Scara Brae.

Orkney is quite a mission to get to, but once you get there you won’t regret it.

Have you been to Orkney or the Outer Hebrides?  If so, leave me a comment below and let me know how you liked it.  Did you find any great places for raw and healthy food?

Natural alternatives to sunscreen

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Jun 10 0

raw food to avoid sunburn

There have been a few articles floating around Facebook lately about whether sunscreen is good for you or not, so I thought I’d share some natural alternatives to sunscreen.

*Disclaimer: Before I begin, I just want to point out that this is in no way an attempt to persuade you not to use sunscreen – what you put on your skin is entirely your decision.  This blog is simply a sharing of my own beliefs and experiences on the subject.

Being of Irish descent, I have quite fair skin.  I never used to be able to stay out in the sun for very long before I began to burn.  So I used sunscreen to extend my sunbathing time, but I noticed that I would often get an annoying heat rash if I stayed out too long.

When I discovered the Raw Food diet, one of the many benefits I got from it was that I could stay out in the sun a lot longer without burning or getting a rash – and without using any sunscreen.  I LOVE the sunshine, and I don’t like to put unnatural chemicals on my skin if I can help it, so this was very good news for me.

What is it about the Raw Food Diet that protects against the sun?

As I understand it, there are 2 main ways that a Raw Food Diet protects against sunburn.  Firstly, there are many valuable nutrients found in fresh fruit and vegetables which provide the skin with natural protection.  Secondly, the lack of processed junk foods in the diet means that toxic chemicals don’t find their way onto the surface of the skin, to react negatively with the sun’s rays.

Of course, I’m still sensible with my sun exposure.  If I’m out in the hot sun for any extended length of time I’ll be sure to wear a sunhat and cover up with a sarong or scarf, or seek shade if necessary.  I try to plan any outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day, and stay away from the midday sun.  Personally, I love nothing more than to relax in the shade on a sunny day and read a book.   I don’t really see the point in lathering on lots of sunscreen just so I can sweat uncomfortably for hours in the hot sunlight.

I use natural cold-pressed extra-virgin oils such as coconut or sesame, as these can offer some sun protection, as well as providing the ideal environment for beneficial skin bacteria to thrive.  There are even some natural oils (such as raspberry seed oil) which can have an SPF of up to 50.  I like to use carrot seed oil on my face as not only does it have a high SPF but it also said to have anti-aging properties.  Remember that anything you apply to your skin will be absorbed into your body, so a good rule of thumb is: if you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put it on your skin!

I also usually avoid wearing sunglasses when sunbathing, strange as it may seem, as wearing sunglasses affects the body’s ability to adapt to sunlight.  When sunlight enters the eyes, it sends a signal to your body to create melanin, which protects against sunburn.  Aren’t bodies amazing things!

I live in Scotland, so in general the only time I feel the need to be careful is when I’m on holiday in a hot country.  In this country, I’ll take all the sunshine I can get, as it makes me feel happier and healthier both physically and emotionally.  In fact, I wrote this blog outside in the garden on one of our first sunny days of the year 😉

Raw food in Playa del Carmen Mexico

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Mar 5 2

Raw food in Playa del Carmen

If you’re looking for raw food in Playa del Carmen, then you won’t be disappointed.  This friendly, safe, relaxed Mexican city just down the road from party-loving Cancun is a veritable haven for yoga-loving, rawfood-eating, sun-worshipping hippies from all around the world.

Here are a few of the restaurants I visited for smoothies, juices and salads while staying here last month.

La Senda

Avenida 10 N entre calles 10 y 10 bis, Playa del Carmen

Raw chocolate truffles at La Senda

Raw chocolate truffles at La Senda

My first mention has to go to the completely gorgeous La Senda.  A cool friendly little place in a great central location; they have a huge menu of juices, smoothies, salads, and vegan meals, including 2 raw dishes (zucchini pasta with pesto, and raw pad thai – both amazing).

La Senda is a quirky little place where you can sit in the shade with a smoothie and watch the world pass you by.

They have an awesome range of freshly-made drinks.  I loved the ‘ancient mayan’ type ones – try the cacao variety and you’ll be all set to head down the road for a night at Coco Bongos.  They also do wheatgrass shots to revive you the next morning 😉

The staff are total sweethearts and a real warm energy pervades the restaurant, and the food.  Proper soul food!  This place really made my time in Playa del Carmen extra-special.

La Ceiba de la 30

30 Avenida Norte 274, Playa del Carmen

Fresh fruit and veg at the DAC market

Fresh fruit and veg at the DAC market

This restaurant was a little bit more off the beaten track for us (look for the big MEGA supermarket on 30 Avenida Nte then you’re just a block away), but definitely worth seeking out, as it was located within the excellent DAC organic fruit and vegetable market – very handy for stocking up on supplies.

This is the place to go if you want to get away from the tourist traps and find somewhere a little more authentic.  It’s always bustling as it’s really popular with the locals, and the prices are much more reasonable than the ones you’ll find along 5th Avenue.

The menu is full of great freshly-made drinks and salads (fruit salads too), plus all kinds of other foods (Mexican and European) for your non-raw friends to enjoy.

Just across the road from La Ceiba is Nativo, a very cool looking restaurant with a tempting array of fresh juices and smoothies.  We never actually got to eat there but I heard very good reports.

Bio-Natural

Calle 10 entre Constituyentes y calle 16, al lado de Scotiabank, Playa del Carmen

Bio Natural organic restaurant and grocery store

Bio Natural organic restaurant and grocery store

An organic vegetarian restaurant (including vegan and gluten-free options) with a healthy grocery store attached; this place was another life-saver for me.  I visited literally every day to buy supplies – although unbelievably I didn’t actually get to try a meal there (we were so spoiled for choice with all the great places in PDC!) – bit of a shame really as I would have liked to try their raw tabouleh.

Instore they have a good range of dried foods such as nuts, seeds (lots of chia), energy bars, superfoods (especially spirulina – the Mexicans love their spirulina for some reason!) and natural eco-friendly toiletries – so here’s where to head if you’ve forgotten your suntan lotion.

The chiller is stocked with different goodies each day – bottles of freshly-squeezed organic OJ, ‘alkaline water’ (a mix of apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger and cinnamon), and bottles of mysterious unlabelled dark green liquid (perhaps spirulina water)?  With hand-rolled organic tobacco often nestling amongst the alfalfa sprouts, it was always fascinating to see what new stuff the fridge was stocked with.

Fruta Madre

Plaza Paraiso Caribe (Ave 10), Playa del Carmen

Green smoothie at Fruta Madre

Green smoothie at Fruta Madre

We were lucky to have this juice/smoothie bar/healthy café just a few minutes down the road, so it was very convenient to pop in for a quick juice on our way out exploring various Mayan ruins and whatnot!

A funky and colourful place with indoor and outdoor seating, Fruta Madre had a wide range of interesting juice and smoothie combinations.

smoothie bar Playa del Carmen

Kids’ play area at Fruta Madre

They had salads too, and lots of different meals, but they weren’t raw, so I just stuck to the drinks.  I’m sure they would accommodate though if you wanted a raw mixed salad.

They also did something interesting called ‘frushi’ which was sushi made from fruit!  Again, it wasn’t raw, but it was an interesting concept nonetheless.

If you’re a parent, the real selling point to this café is their extremely cute kids’ zone – an area especially designed to keep children nicely occupied while you chill out with your smoothie.

100% Natural

5 Av. 209 Mza 28, Playa del Carmen

100% Natural  looks a bit fancier than most of the other veggie-type restaurants in PDC.  It looks especially pretty at night – like a mini jungle all lit-up right there on 5th Avenue.

Pretty surroundings at 100% Natural Playa del Carmen

Pretty surroundings at 100% Natural

Maybe I was getting a little spoilt with all the great places I’d been eating at, but despite appearances I wasn’t majorly impressed with this restaurant.  I ordered a juice and got what tasted like a watered-down smoothie, and my salad consisted of some tough spinach leaves drenched in salty soy sauce.  I’m not a big fan of salt at the best of times, so this wasn’t ideal for me.

Still, it did have an impressive array of fresh juices and smoothies, and I’m sure if something like that existed in Glasgow then I’d visit all the time.  But I’d say there were definitely better (and cheaper) options in Playa del Carmen.

quintana rawQuintana Raw

5th Avenue, Playa del Carmen

Keep your eyes peeled as you stroll down 5th avenue and you will find Quintana Raw, a little takeaway juice stand at the side of the street, next to the Pez Vela restaurant.

Cheap and cheerful, this no-frills juice bar will keep you well hydrated as you enjoy the Mexican sunshine.

Try the Green Mango juice for a hefty dose of green goodness!

Kaxapa Factory

Av constituyentes entre Avs. 10 y 15, Avenida Constituyentes de Q. Roo, Playa del Carmen

Fresh juices - delicious and hydrating

Fresh juices – delicious and hydrating

From Bio-Natural, walk up to the roundabout, turn left onto the main road, and you will see this little place on the right hand side.

To be honest with you, Kaxapa Factory does very little in the way of raw food beyond a few fresh juices and a mixed salad – BUT – I wanted to include it anyway as it was such a cute friendly little restaurant!

(And if you’re still hungry afterwards you can always fill up at one of the 2 excellent smoothie bars over the road – Fruzo or Smoothie Good ).

The owner, a LOVELY Venuzuelan guy came over and gave us samples of juice the moment we arrived, and chatted away about his family to us.  We immediately felt at home here, and the rest of the staff were equally helpful and welcoming.

If you’re not strictly raw, or you’re with non-raw pals, you might want to sample their authentic Venuzuelan cuisine – they have vegan and gluten-free versions too.  And they had some very tantalising-looking deserts!

It’s a small cosy place, but unsurprisingly they’re always busy.  In fact I felt a bit sorry for the restaurant next door, which was completely empty, while people waited patiently outside for a table at Kaxapa!

Green Box

Centro, 77710 Playa del Carmen

Green Box - a bird's eye view

Green Box cafe – a bird’s eye view

This juice bar / café on 5th avenue is fresh, clean and cheerful, with pop music and videos playing to entertain you while you wait for your order.  On offer are juices, smoothies, wheatgrass shots and salads, plus a good selection of vegetarian and vegan foods.

They’re very friendly and accommodating; drinks can be customised to your requirements.  They have indoor or outdoor seating, plus an upper level with extra seating.  If you’re going to go there often, get a stamp card – that way you get one free juice with every 5 you purchase.  They have happy hour too – AND good wifi!

Booster Juice

Calle 28 Nte & 1 Avienida Norte, Playa del Carmen

Booster Juice (part of a Canadian chain of juice and smoothie bars) is at the Marmita’s Beach end of Playa.  You will be so glad to see this place; it’s an oasis of freshness amid all the beer ‘n’ burger joints on the road down to the beach.  Keep an eye out on their Facebook page for special offers.

La Cuisine

Calle 11 entre 5 y 10 Sur Col. Gonzalo Guerrero, Cozumel

Green goodness in Cozumel

Green goodness in Cozumel

No trip to Playa del Carmen would be complete without a jaunt across the water to visit the beautiful island of Cozumel, with its stunning coral reefs and natural beaches.

If you’re looking for some healthy food while you’re over there, I highly recommend the cute and friendly ‘La Cuisine’.  Situated underneath ‘Ego Gym’ (find Quintana Roo park then turn left) it has a great menu of freshly made food and drinks, with vegan and vegetarian options, and daily specials.  It has a lovely atmosphere and is patronised by a cool bunch of health-conscious locals.  They also sell energy bars and snacks to go.

SO – what are you waiting for – grab your passport and book that ticket NOW!  I wish I could go back there, if only to eat the raw pesto zucchini pasta at La Senda again!

Raw deliciousness at La Senda

Raw deliciousness at La Senda

Oh, and before I go, I must give a shout-out to our super-friendly taxi driver Tino, who picked us up from the airport, showed us some fantastic sights, and even gave me a present of some Mexican mole sauce to take home for my mum – how’s about that for customer service? 🙂

Fruit and nut raw fudge

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Feb 5 0

raw fudge for valentines

I love making raw fudge as it’s so quick and easy.  It’s one of my favourite things to take to a pot-luck or to share at parties etc, as ‘cooked foodie’ people appreciate it just as much as rawbies.

I thought I’d share my latest raw fruit and nut fudge flavour with you – this one is nice and light and really melts in the mouth.

Ingredients:

1 cup coconut oil

1 cup raw coconut flakes (or you can use ready-creamed coconut – just bear in mind this isn’t raw)

1 cup goji berries, soaked for 1 hour in the juice of 2 oranges

1 cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped or ground

Half a cup algorobba / lucuma powder

2 tablespoons carob / cacao  (I use carob as I’m sensitive to cacao, but cacao will give the fudge a much more authentic chocolate taste)

1 tablespoon vanilla powder

1 tablespoon raw honey or sweetener of your choice

Gently warm the coconut butter until it turns to oil.  I use a double boiler for this but you could use any warm surface.  In the food processor finely grind the coconut flakes.  Add in the algorobba powder, the carob/cacao, and vanilla and mix.  Transfer this mixture to the coconut oil, making sure you keep everything warm so the oil doesn’t turn back to butter.  Stir in the goji berries, nuts, and honey.

Spoon mixture into a tray and flatten down.  You could also use ice-cube trays – you can get all kinds of different fancy shapes these days if you want to make individual sized portions.

Cover and leave in the fridge overnight to set (or in the freezer for an hour if you can’t wait that long).

I hope you enjoy this raw fruit and nut fudge.  You can adapt this recipe in so many ways by using different dried fruit and nuts, and adding different natural flavourings.

Happy experimenting, and please share your favourite raw fudge recipes below!

How to stay warm on a raw food diet

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Feb 4 2

how to stay warm on a raw food diet

Staying warm on a raw food diet can be particularly challenging at this time of year in Scotland.  The temperature has plummeted, snow is on the ground, the wind is howling outside the frosty window, you can hardly move your icy fingers to type on the computer… you get the point, it’s COLD.

Many raw foodists notice that when they first start to eat raw, their body temperature seems to drop a little.  Now, this isn’t always a bad thing.  I was living in Oman in my early raw days and I found it a blessing to feel naturally cool – I lapped up the sunshine and didn’t feel the need for any air-conditioning.

However, Scottish winters are a little different to Middle Eastern summers, and you may not be feeling quite so comfortable.  So here are some tips to help you get through these chilly days without freezing solid, with a glass of green juice stuck to your lips.

How to stay warm on a raw food diet

Don’t chill out

Make sure that everything you eat or drink is at room temperature – or even better, at body temperature.  Remember you can still warm your foods to 104 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 40 degrees Celsius) and they’ll still be classed as raw, even by the toughest of Raw Police.

There are many ways you can gently warm your foods.  I have a double boiler which comes in really handy for warming soups or even melting coconut butter to make fudge.  If you’re worried that the temperature might be getting too high, just stick your finger in – if your finger doesn’t get cooked, chances are your food won’t either 😉

warming-food

Take the chill off

If you’re going to make a juice or smoothie, remember to take your vegetables out of the fridge a good few hours before to bring them up to room temperature, and wash them in hot water rather than cold.  Don’t keep your refrigerator at a super-high setting, there’s no need, especially if you’re only keeping veg in there.

Another trick I have is to warm up my drinks by pouring them into a jar or flask, then placing them into a jug of hot water for a few minutes.  That really helps to take the chill off.  I rarely drink anything ‘cold’ these days, especially in winter.

Wrap it up

I know I’m stating the obvious, but sometimes it’s worth mentioning.  Keep your body temperature comfortable by staying nice and warm.  Thermals, hats, hot water bottles, any furry pets that happen to be hanging around, just wrap yourself up in them and keep cosy.

Winter warmers

Raw food wrap

Sprouted chickpea wrap with courgette noodles

Choose your foods wisely.  Winter is definitely not the time to be eating frozen watermelon and blending ice into your smoothies.

Go for denser foods such as dehydrated flax and onion breads, and soups with creamy avocado, and serve on warmed plates or bowls.

Try adding ginger and fennel into your veggie juice, or cinnamon into your smoothies.

Now is a good time to get into indoor sprouting and micro-greens.  Alfalfa, snow peas, wheatgrass etc will all thrive at this time of year, and they will give you a nice supply of fresh food during a season where a lot of produce might have been shipped for many miles before it got to you.

Keep on moving

Stay active throughout the day.  Try to take regular breaks during which you can jump up and down, have a little dance, go for a run around the block, etc – just get moving and keep that internal fire stoked.

Work up a sweat

Take a leaf out of the Scandinavians’ books and use saunas and hot tubs to counteract the chill and keep your body temperature up.  Hot Yoga (yoga practiced in a very hot and humid room) is even better as you get some great exercise too.  Tonya Zavasta swears by this, and she’s certainly doing – and looking –  very well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeBpn-Dl3zU

So get yourself hot and sweaty, in whatever way possible! 😉

Compromise

Although I love my raw foods, I do make some exceptions, especially during the winter.  I love to make herbal teas and vegetable broths, and of course these aren’t raw, although I do keep the heat on low and try not to completely boil the water.

In my broths I use local seasonal veggies such as leeks, onion, garlic, and turnips, and I add in lots of hot spices like ginger, turmeric, and black pepper.  I also include seaweed for additional flavour.  I strain the broth and drink the mineral-rich liquid; it feels very warming and balancing at this time of year.

So I guess you could say I’m a raw foodist, but not a raw drinkist 😀

Of course, this might not be for you if you wish to remain strictly raw, and that is fine, I’m just sharing what works for me.  I’m sure if I lived in a lovely hot country I wouldn’t feel the need for these kind of compromises, but sometimes you need to make adaptations depending on your circumstance.

Well, I hope you found these tips useful.  If you have any of your own you’d like to share, please comment below 🙂

11 ways to survive Christmas on a raw food diet

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Nov 14 0

Survive Christmas on a raw food diet

As the festive season approaches,  you may be wondering how you can survive Christmas on a raw food diet – or even on a remotely healthy diet, for that matter.

For most people, Christmas means parties, roast dinners, chocolate, and lots of alcohol. Now that may be great for some – but what about YOU? Are you feeling anxious at the thought of all those social occasions, with well-meaning friends and family trying desperately to tempt you into eating your own bodyweight in turkey?

Christmas can be a tricky time if you’re the kind of person who likes to eat healthily and refrain from over-indulging – it almost makes you seem like a kind of alien in the midst of all the ‘eat drink and be merry’ brigade 😉

So here are some tips.  And they work just as well for Thanksgiving, or indeed any social occasion that includes food!

11 ways to survive Christmas on a Raw Food Diet

1. Be prepared

When it comes to raw food, preparation (as in most areas of life) is key.  Whether you’re eating out, or at a friend or relative’s house, bear in mind that there may not be anything very substantial for you to eat (unless you’re being taken out to an organic eco-friendly raw food restaurant – in which case, ooh you lucky thing! Can I come please?).

You see, most peoples’ idea of raw food is a bit of iceberg lettuce, some grated carrots, and maybe a few sliced tomatoes.  They don’t know about chia seeds, or microgreens, or chlorella, or alfalfa sprouts, or hemp milk, or… do I have to go on?  You get the picture.  The majority of raw foods haven’t really made it into mainstream consciousness yet.

So it’s a good idea to fill up with something substantial beforehand, unless you want to be sitting in front of a boring 50 calorie salad, woefully eyeing up your friend’s lasagne.

Here are a couple of pre-party smoothie recipes for you:

Creamy energy blast

1 cup unhulled hemp seeds* (soaked overnight)

3 cups water

1 tablespoon chia seeds (soaked overnight, and sprouted a little if possible)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon mixed spices

1 tablespoon cacao

1 teaspoon carob

1 teaspoon maca

Add your preferred sweetener to taste (optional)

Place the hemp seeds and the water into the blender.  Blend till smooth.   Strain the mixture and add the milk back to the blender (the leftover hemp hulls can be thrown into the compost, or used in an exfoliating skin scrub to give you a healthy glow for the party).  Add all other ingredients and blend till smooth.

*Or just use hulled hemp seeds for quickness; simply add them to the other ingredients and blend.

The creamy nutrition of the grounding hemp and chia milk combine perfectly with the uplifting cacao and maca to get you in a real party mood.  Drink some before you go out and refrigerate the rest (it also freezes pretty well) – or take it with you in case you need a quick recharge.

If, like me, you’re a sensitive soul when it comes to the stimulating effects of cacao and you don’t necessarily want to be up all night, reduce the amount, or eliminate it completely.

Sweet, simple and quick: the good ol’ banana smoothie

If you’re more of a fruity raw foodie type, this is always a safe standby for a quick easy snack to energise you and get you in the mood for a party.  A few ripe nana’s whizzed up in the blender with a little water will provide you with sweet, simple carbohydrates to keep you going all night.  Add some spirulina for extra minerals and green power.  You could even make extra and take some with you in a flask for emergencies.

2.  Be patient

At Christmas, it’s often the case that you get together with people who haven’t seen you for quite a while.  They may be surprised by the changes in you and get very curious about your novel choice of lifestyle.  Often a barrage of questions may ensue about what you can and cannot eat.

They might say things that come across as unkind or critical – “What – you just eat rabbit food?!  That’s just ridiculous – there’s no way I could do that!” etc etc.

Even if you get tired and feel that it all gets a little intrusive, just be patient, and answer their questions with respect.  Remember that even if it seems people are poking fun at you, they probably don’t mean it (and even if they do – why should you care?).

One of my favourite books is ‘The Four Agreements’ by Don Miguel Ruiz.  One of the agreements is: ‘don’t take anything personally’, and it fits perfectly in this situation.

Funnily enough, often the people who make the biggest noise about how crazy they think you are, are the ones who may well try it themselves at some point in the future – you never know when you’re sowing a few seeds for change in peoples’ lives.

3.  Bring a bottle

If you’re invited to a Christmas party and they ask you to bring a bottle – then who says it needs to be alcoholic?  How about some awesome kombucha or water kefir ‘extra virgin cocktails’ to break the ice?

If nothing else they’re a real conversation starter (you’ll realise this once you’ve tried for the 10th time to explain what a kombucha scoby is!).

How about Cherry Almond Kefir for an amaretto feel:

1 litre coconut kefir (water kefir made with coconut water)

1 cup almond pulp

2 cups cherries

1 cup raisins

½ C water

3 drops vanilla stevia or ½ teaspoon vanilla powder or 1 vanilla pod

Blend cherries and raisins with water.  Add to kefir with almond pulp and vanilla.  Leave at room temp for 1- 2 days.  Strain and chill for 1 day in an airtight bottle (for added fizz).

4.  Deflect attention

Find yourself running out of patience?  Stuck talking to somebody who seems hell-bent on making fun of your way of eating?  Ok, time for a different strategy.

Instead of going on the defensive and telling them every theory you ever heard about why rawfood is good for you, simply show some interest in THEM.  Ask them about their diet, or their life.

You see, most people really enjoy talking about themselves.  In today’s busy rush, no one ever seems to get the chance to talk and have somebody really listen to them.  So when they DO get the chance, they relish it.  Chances are your new buddy will forget any thought of attacking your lifestyle choice, and become engrossed in this rare opportunity to talk and be listened to.

And now’s the time to employ your secret weapon: KINDNESS.  Listen attentively, and be completely supportive and encouraging about whatever it is they do/think/eat/believe etc.  Now, I know this might be a challenge, especially if you’re vegetarian and they are stuffing their face with roast turkey, but just bear with it.  It’s amazing how quickly this non-judgemental attitude will be reciprocated, and before you know it the atmosphere between you will be completely different.

It’s magic you know 😉

5.  Don’t judge 

You might not realise it, but people might feel that by being so virtuous in your dietary choices that means you’re somehow being judgemental about what THEY eat.

And perhaps you are 😉

It is common, especially during the first few years of being on a raw food diet, to get a bit evangelical.  It’s completely understandable when you think about it – there you are, bursting with energy, healing everything that was ever wrong with your body, and you want to shout from the rooftops that everybody needs to try this diet, RIGHT NOW!!

It’s important to remember however, that just because this diet is right for you, it’s doesn’t mean it’s for everyone.  And bending peoples’ ears about it at every given opportunity might be considered as some kind of judgement on the kind of lifestyle they currently lead – no matter how much you mean well.

Even if the person next to you is polishing off the remains of wee Jimmy’s selection box, don’t start lecturing about the disastrous effects of refined sugar on the body – because let’s face it, they’re probably well-aware of the dangers anyway.

Nobody likes being judged.  There’s far too much judgement in society already, especially around food.  If people perceive (whether rightly or wrongly) that you are criticising their dietary choices, then they are likely to go on the attack and say something about yours.  And this is not a good recipe for a happy Christmas.

So just live and let live, and then everyone can relax and have fun.

6. Bag of tricks

If you’re eating Christmas dinner at somebody else’s house, come prepared with some lovely home-made food to augment your meal and make it more filling and tasty.  It’s pretty easy to bring a small bottle of pre-prepared raw dressing in your bag, or a few dehydrated crackers.  I often have an avocado stashed away somewhere for emergencies 😉

If you feel like getting everybody involved, you could bring along a big salad, or batch of raw pudding, for people to try.  Even the hardest of junk-food eating hearts would be tempted by these raw chocolate treats!

7.  Forget about the food

Just because the focal point for the occasion is eating – whether it’s in a restaurant or at somebody’s house – that doesn’t mean that you have to concentrate on food all night.

When you think about it, the real reason for ANY occasion, no matter what the backdrop, is for friends and family to get together and enjoy each others’ company.

It’s strange really isn’t it – this concept we have of how we should be enjoying ourselves at Christmas and other social occasions.  We are continually taught by the media that ‘enjoyment = eating & drinking’.  This conditioning is constantly reinforced in Christmas adverts such as this one.

But when you really think about it, it isn’t the case at all!

What does enjoyment really mean to you?

For me –

Enjoyment = laughing my head off at all the ridiculous things my boyfriend does to amuse me.

Enjoyment = having a good ol’ singalong with all my crazy and loveable family

Enjoyment = dancing around like a lunatic in the kitchen because my favourite song has just come on the radio

Enjoyment = playing Twister (but only when I win.  I’m hugely competitive when it comes to Twister).

I could go on and on.  There are literally millions of ways I can think of to enjoy myself – but you know what ?  Not one of them includes: ‘Put food in mouth, open and close jaw a few times, swallow’

Do you see what they’ve done?  Those sneaky marketing dudes have taken something we do WHILE we enjoy ourselves, and by employing a bit of crafty psychological manipulation they have fooled us into thinking that IT’S THE SAME THING!

And while the huge food manufacturing corporations laugh all the way to the bank, we’re left stuffing our faces with more and more food that our bodies simply can’t cope with, thinking ‘hey, we’re having fun’.  Meanwhile diet-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease increase with alarming rapidity.  Where’s the fun in that?

I’m actually more likely to eat LESS at Christmas, rather than more, as I don’t want to divert important energy away to digest a bunch of heavy food.  I want to be able to use all my energy for dancing and singing!  And I want to stay feeling light as a feather, so I win that all-important Twister contest!

What I DON’T want is to overfill myself so much with dense unhealthy food that I only have enough energy to slump in front of the TV and watch the Queen’s speech.  Because let’s face it, that would be highly boring.

So forget about the food, and focus on other people.  Immerse yourself in cool conversations. Talk to strangers as though you’ve known them all your life.  Be the life and soul of the party.  Stop worrying about eating and start grooving instead.

8.  Wait till they ask 

A good rule of thumb is this: only talk about raw food benefits if people specifically ask you.  Preaching away to the uninterested is something that may get you a reputation as a bit of a bore, but if you have somebody who seems genuinely curious, then by all means, share your knowledge and experience of the raw food diet.   After all, it IS a pretty fascinating subject, isn’t it?  (Or maybe I’m biased?!)

9. Don’t fight about it

You may be lucky enough to encounter that ‘helpful’ person who insists on informing you that you’re not getting enough *insert nutrient here* – despite knowing hardly anything about your diet.

No matter how much you are provoked, try to avoid getting into arguments about whether raw food is good/ bad.  It’s really not worth wasting your energy on it.

Remember that there are so many differing opinions about nutrition that nobody really knows what ‘the perfect diet’ is – including you – so just let people spout their opinion, and don’t get involved.  After all, they can’t fight about it on their own, can they?

Just smile and change the subject, it’s boring anyway.

Of course, if you enjoy a good debate, then by all means get stuck in!

10.  Humour is a powerful weapon

The most difficult of situations can end up being pretty funny, when you look back at them.  So why not fast forward and find the fun straightaway?  Make it your mission to uncover the absurdity in the situation – I guarantee you, as long as you’re on Planet Earth, it’s always there somewhere!  Don’t take yourself, or your diet, too seriously – after all, it’s just food, right?

11.  Cheat

Cheat, if you must.  Saves a lot of hassle 😉

Raw on the road – Applecross

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Oct 25 0

Applecross Bay

I recently took a trip up to Applecross to stay in the campsite there for a few days.   The Applecross campsite has wigwams and huts, as well as the usual space for caravans and tents, so I was keen to go and check it out.

Applecross Campsite Wigwam

Our little den in Applecross

We stayed in one of the wigwams, and it was a totally unique experience.  All the joys of camping with none of the hassle of having to put your tent up – we just turned up and it was all ready to go.  There were soft comfy sleeping mats on the floor, and even a heater (which we didn’t need); all we needed to bring were our sleeping bags.

 

Applecross is a little peninsula on the North-West of Scotland which overlooks the Isle of Skye.  With a population of just a couple of hundred people, it is a lovely quiet and peaceful place to visit.  If you’re in a reflective mood you can sit on the lovely sandy beach at Applecross Bay and look over the water to the brooding Cuillin mountains.

There are only 2 roads into Applecross, one of which is quite a hair-raising journey that takes you to dizzy heights (it’s the highest mountain pass in Britain, in fact: Bealach Na Ba) around some dramatic hairpin bends.  There’s even a sign to warn away any learner drivers!  Nevertheless, any brave souls that take on the challenge will be rewarded by some truly spectacular views if it’s a clear day.

As for raw food, well as you might have guessed, there’s not much in the way of raw food restaurants in Applecross, but there are a couple of lovely ‘regular’ restaurants where you can get a salad if you ask.  The Applecross Inn, just a short walk from the campsite, is  a smashing friendly place located perfectly with stunning views across the bay.  There is a wonderful atmosphere about this restaurant; it feels very warm and welcoming.  Mainly specialising in seafood, the menu focuses on ‘real food’, with an emphasis on fresh locally sourced produce.

A little further down the road is The Potting Shed, which is well worth a visit as the veggies on the menu are literally grown just outside the restaurant in a very pretty walled garden – talk about locally sourced!  So you’re guaranteed a fresh seasonal salad if you eat here.

The walled garden at The Potting Shed

The walled garden at The Potting Shed

Applecross Walled garden

Veggies – fresh from the garden straight onto your plate

If you like walking, then you will love Applecross.  We had a great time trekking about, finding various photo opportunities (including a fine stag in the woods) and enjoying the gorgeous warm sunny autumn weather that we had been blessed with – not to mention a few juicy blackberries along the way 😉

Stag and deer in Applecross

Stag watching over his family

Taking a break in the enchanting woods

Taking a break in the enchanting woods

 

 

 

 

 

As we all know, a typical restaurant salad isn’t going to fill you up, so I was glad that I brought my trusty cooler bag with me, filled with plenty of raw supplies to keep me going.  The night before the journey I did my typical pre-trip preparation:  I made a few flasks of green juice, added some water-kefir, then froze it overnight.

Have cooler will travel

Have cooler will travel

The next morning I stored the juice in my cooler bag with some ice packs.  I find this way I can have a ready-made juice or smoothie supply for quite a few days, drinking it as it gradually defrosts.

Sure, it’s not as ideal as making it fresh on the spot, but it’s the most convenient way for me, and the added kefir ensures that it stays nice and fresh (plus, of course, adds some healthy live probiotics).

To my raw food stash I added some homemade hemp-seed milk flavoured with mixed spices and cinnamon, plus a big bag of fruit.

I also made a salad of home-grown freshly picked spinach together with some lovely juicy grapefruit, and added a dressing of sesame oil, ACV, and mixed herbs.  I actually didn’t end up eating the salad till about 3 days later, but it was still really fresh and tasty as it had all marinated together nicely by then.

Applecross really is a magical place.  I was quite content to sit for hours in front of our little wigwam looking up into the clear night sky at hundreds of stars, and just dreaming away.  A truly unforgettable experience, and I’m sure we’ll be back again soon.

Applecross Bay

View of the Cuillins from Applecross Bay

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Decadently Pure Raw Chocolate Review

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Sep 23 0

Decadently Pure Raw Chocolate

There is a new Raw Chocolate company on the block: Decadently Pure Raw Chocolate, and it’s really making waves on the Raw Food scene in Scotland.

Based in West Lothian, Decadently Pure was created by Ros Milligan from Bathgate. Ros is the mum of 2 children, and also happens to have a PhD in Veterinary Pathology – a woman of many talents!

A stickler for perfection, Ros holds extremely high standards for her chocolate.  Only the purest of natural ingredients are used, including smooth stone ground organic cacao nibs, organic cacao butter, organic coconut sugar, organic orange zest, Himalayan pink salt, organic pecans, freeze dried fruit, organic maple syrup, and xylitol.  Plus, the addition of organic medicine flower extracts makes these bars pretty special.

Decadently Pure Raw Chocolate currently comes in 4 different flavours: Dark Vanilla, Orange Zinger, Berry Dark, and Salted Caramel Pecan.  Bespoke creations are also available for special occasions such as weddings or birthdays.

decadently-pure-raw-chocolate-rs Ros very kindly sent me some samples to try out. When I received the chocolate the first thing I noticed was its perfect consistency: it was smooth and solid from the word go, even before I got a chance to chill it.

Salted Caramel Pecan:

This was the one I went for straight away, as I love pecans and I’m a sucker for salted chocolate. It didn’t disappoint.

The contrasting flavours of the caramel and the pecan combined with the hint of saltiness created a tantalising taste sensation.

Let’s just say I kept this bar all to myself 😉

Dark Vanilla:

This bar had a real solid texture and creamy taste that just melts in your mouth. Flavoured with gorgeous organic vanilla medicine flower extract, this one’s for you if you’re a fan of pure dark chocolate.

No nonsense, no gimmicks, just straight-up chocolate perfection!

Orange Zinger:

Even though I’m not usually a big fan of orange flavoured chocolate, I really loved this one – in fact I’d go as far as to say that it was my favourite out of all the flavours.

It had a smooth taste with just the right amount of orangeyness – not too subtle, and not too tangy, with a lovely aftertaste that just leaves you wanting more.

Berry Dark:

The berries were just crammed into this bar. Crunchy and tasty, this delicious chocolate was just bursting with zingy cherry and raspberry flavours that kept popping up when you least expected it.

A truly unique flavour sensation.

decadently-pure-raw-chocolate-4

All in all, I absolutely love Decadently Pure raw chocolate. You can just taste the quality, professionalism, and perfectionism that has gone into making these delicious bars.

Highly recommended!

Decadently Pure Raw Chocolate is available from www.decadentlypure.co.uk

You can also find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/decadentlypure

All bars are 50g and £3.50 each or 3 for £10.

Raw food suppliers Scotland

By Lisa Murphy Leave a Comment Sep 4 2

Raw Food Suppliers Scotland

Scotland is becoming more raw-friendly than ever these days, with lots of new and innovative raw food suppliers popping up across the country. We have juice bars, raw chocolate manufacturers, organic fruit and vegetable delivery schemes, and plenty of natural organic independent food stores. We even have raw pet food suppliers for our wee furry friends’ needs!

Here’s a selection of some cool places you might like to check out.

Glasgow

Quality Vitamins and Herbs 123, Douglas Street, Glasgow, G2 4HF, Telephone: 0141 331 2984

Raw healthfood shop Glasgow

Healthy foods in Glasgow

This little gem is tucked away off Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow city centre. It’s just a small shop, but it somehow manages to squeeze in a generous stash of healthy foods and supplements. Here you can find dry goods such as nuts, seeds, pulses and dried fruit, plus extra virgin cold pressed oils; for example sesame and coconut. There is a small but select range of raw chocolate, including Om bars and Conscious Chocolate.

Make sure you check out the refrigerator at the back as you may happen upon some surprise goodies there. During my visits I have found raw sauerkraut, kombucha, and ‘really raw’ coconut water amongst other healthy treats.

Locavore 66, Nithsdale Road, Glasgow, G41 GAN, Telephone 0141 328 3303

Organic produce in the Southside of Glasgow

Organic produce in the Southside of Glasgow

Heading over to the Southside of Glasgow we find Locavore, a Community Interest Company with a not-for-profit local food shop, community kitchen, and food-growing project hub.

Fresh locally-grown organic produce may be purchased at their shop, and they also have a box delivery scheme.

There are some very innovative projects going on at Locavore, including community garden sessions and cookery workshops. It’s well worth supporting this fantastic company.

Juice Warrior Unit 8, Block 3, Nuneaton Industrial estate, Nuneaton Street, Glasgow. Email hello@juicewarrior.co.uk Telephone 0781 696 5092

Juice Warrior Detox Glasgow

Juice warrior, raw juice cleanse packages in Glasgow

Juice Warrior was set up by Glaswegian couple Megan & Daniel, who had both experienced fantastic results from raw food and juices, and wanted to share the raw magic with others.

Juice Warrior juices are made from top-quality hydrolic press juicers, and are guaranteed pure, 100% cold-pressed and unpasteurised.

Juice cleanses include the ‘Tough Love Monday pack’ with added wheatgrass to jumpstart your week, and the beautifying ‘Cleopatra Cleanse’. You can catch them at Farmer’s Markets, or alternatively order direct. You can also pick them up at Roots Fruits & Flowers in the West End, or Infinity Hot Yoga in Glasgow.

Juice Garden 23 Renfield Street, Glasgow, G2 5AH

At last! A juice bar is back in Glasgow City Centre!  This funky place boasts fake grass floors, beanbags, and even complimentary iPads to use.  Plus a huge range of juices and smoothies, all made fresh there and then.  Check out their FACEBOOK page for latest news.

Roots Fruits & Flowers 451-457, Great Western Rd, Glasgow, G12 8HH, Tel 0141 339 3077

Roots and Fruits Glasgow

Fresh organic produce at Roots Fruits & Flowers

Something of an institution in Glasgow’s West End; Roots Fruits & Flowers have been trading for over 30 years. Their organic grocery store has a cosy, friendly feel and is packed full of healthy food, including a range of fresh local and seasonal produce. You can find some real treasures in the chilled section – I got the best heirloom tomatoes of my life here! Raw goodies such as chocolate can also be found, plus the usual staples of nuts and seeds etc.

Wholefoods Market 124 – 134 Fenwick Road, Glasgow, G46 6XN, Telephone 0141 621 2700

There was a big buzz when Wholefoods opened in Glasgow recently – so far it’s the only Wholefoods in Scotland, and it is a veritable candy store for raw foodists. My pal Patrick happens to work there, and if you’re lucky enough to visit during his shift you’ll be able to benefit not only from his awesome good looks, but also from his vast knowledge of all things raw and healthy! He’s also a very talented artist – check out his work here: http://cargocollective.com/patrickqueen/

I got ‘my man on the inside’ to go around and take some snaps of all the raw goodies to whet your appetite. They say, ‘a picture paints a thousand words’ – well, I think Paddy took a thousand pictures, so I made a couple of collages – 1 of which is specifically devoted to chocolate, cos I know what you’re all like about the chocolate 😀

Raw Produce at Wholefoods Glasgow

Raw Produce at Wholefoods Glasgow

Raw Chocolate at Wholefoods Glasgow

Raw Chocolate at Wholefoods Glasgow

Edinburgh

The New Leaf Coop 23, Argyle Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1JJ, Telephone 0131 228 8548

New Leaf Coop, Edinburgh

New Leaf Coop, Edinburgh

The New Leaf Coop is a vegetarian wholefoods worker-run cooperative. Eco-friendly ideals are of great importance here, with the emphasis on minimal packaging and responsibly-sourced goods.

Products include dried goods (with a dedicated ‘Scoop & Weigh’ room), herbs and spices, and organic locally-grown fruit and vegetables. There is also a ‘grind your own’ nut butter machine – very handy!

Earthy Foods & Goods, 33 – 41 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh, EH9 1SX, Telephone 0131 667 2967

Provides fresh, local, seasonal and organic produce at 3 stores across Edinburgh (Causewayside, Canonmills & Portobello).

Real Foods 37 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3JU & 8 Brougham Street, Tollcross, EH3 9JH

Real foods specialises in vegetarian, fairtrade, organic and special diet food. With 2 stores in Edinburgh plus an online shop it can cater for all your raw needs. Fruit and vegetable box delivery is also available within the Edinburgh area.

Juice Fiend 157 North High Street, EH21 6AN Musselburgh, Midlothian

Juice Fiend offers fresh juices, smoothies, ‘raw till 4’ boxes and special Juicing Experience events.  Be sure to check out their FACEBOOK page for latest news, special offers and tantalising pictures of their delicious juices and smoothies of the day.

West Lothian

Decadently Pure Raw Chocolate Email: ros@decadentlypure.co.uk, Telephone 07970 810466

Raw Chocolate Scotland

Decadently Pure Raw Chocolate

This brand new Raw Chocolate business is based in Bathgate, West Lothian. Raw Chocolatier Ros Milligan has created 4 different gorgeous flavours: Dark Vanilla, Orange Zinger, Berry Dark and Salted Caramel Pecan.

Each chocolate is lovingly handmade from the finest ingredients: raw organic cacao nibs, raw organic cacao butter, agro-chemical free coconut sugar, organic medicine flower extracts, and essential oils.

Delicious, guilt-free chocolate with no dairy, wheat, refined sugar, or soya. Pure quality – guaranteed!

South Lanarkshire

Juiced Be Unit 8/7, Whistleberry Park Industrial Estate, Hamilton, ML3 0ED

Fresh Juices from Juiced Be, Hamilton

Fresh Juices from Juiced Be, Hamilton

Kristeen and Claire make up ‘Juiced Be’, a Hamilton based company who provide fresh juice, clean eating & cleanse packages, and raw treats. Their mission is to make healthy eating convenient and affordable. Their packages include ‘juiced recharge’, ‘smooth breakfast’ and even ‘juiced married’ – a cleanse to give you that healthy glow on your big day!

My favourite is their ‘juiced kids’ package – a selection of 5 juices to add to the school lunch box. What a great idea for busy parents! Local delivery available, and they can also courier nationwide.

Scottish Borders

The purest of skin care from the tranquil Scottish countryside

The purest of skin care from the tranquil Scottish countryside

Live Native, Juniper Cottage, Macbiehill Farm, West Linton, EH46 7AZ Email info@livenative.com Telephone 01968 661 670

Live Native is a collection of truly natural and ethical skincare that is handmade right here in Scotland from pristine ingredients. With a wide range of ‘skin food’, including moisturisers, cleansers, deodorant and lubricant, Live Native has products to suit men, women, children and babies. Cold-pressed, raw, vegan, organic and handmade from the purest ingredients – what more could you want for your precious skin?

Dumfries & Galloway

Golden Age Honey Dumfries, Telephone 07503 576861

Raw Honey Scotland

Louisa and her apprentices

Louisa Gonzalez produces ethical, natural, cold-extracted honey from bees that gather their nectar from the Scottish countryside. Louisa maintains extremely high standards and takes great care to ensure the welfare of her bees. Varieties include Premier Cru, Blossom, Heather and Honeycomb.

Louisa is passionate about the future of bees and has initiated the ‘Generation Bee’ project to help train a new generation of responsible beekeepers.

Health Foods Castle Douglas

Sunrise Wholefoods, Castle Douglas

Sunrise Wholefoods 49 King Street, Castle Douglas, DG7 1AE, Telephone 01556 504455

Friendly independent deli and health food store that sells a variety of goods including fresh fruit and vegetables.

 

Stirling

IQ Superfood Chocolate Manor Farm, Manor Loan, Stirling, SK9 5QD, Telephone 0845 8387381

IQ raw superfood chocolate, made in Stirling

IQ raw superfood chocolate, made in Stirling

Raw, organic, bean-to-bar, made from 72% Peruvian chocolate and sweetened with organic coconut blossom nectar, these are free from gluten, dairy, nut, lecithin and soya, with no additives or artificial flavours. There is a tempting range of different flavours to choose from including Plush Peppermint, Lusciously Lovely Lime and Espresso Kick Coffee. They have also just released 2 exciting new bars: the BeautiQ (with wild organic sea buckthorn – wow!) and the YogiQ, with ginseng and ginger.

Fife

Pillars of Hercules Farm Falkland, Cupar, Fife, KY15 7AD, Telephone 01337 857749

Raw food in Fife

Raw Vegan Cheesecake at The Pillars of Hercules Bistro, Fife

Pillars of Hercules is an organic farm shop and café that caters for vegetarian and vegan diets. Also provides an organic box delivery around the Fife area.

It’s in a beautiful location, so it’s worth taking a trip out there out there even if you’re not local – you can pick up some goodies and have a day out too. At the weekends the restaurant is open, with top-quality food and live music. Marvelous!

Bellfield Organic Nursery Jamesfield Farm, Abernethy, Fife, KY14 6EW, Telephone 01738 850589

Organic produce and box deliveries across Central Scotland.

West Fife Raw Pet Food

Raw Pet Food in Scotland

West Fife Raw Feeds Unit 27, Thistle Industrial Estate, Cowdenbeath, Fife, KY4 8LP, Telephone 01383 516088

This family run business supplies quality ‘BARF’ and raw pet food throughout Scotland.

Aberdeen

Nature’s Larder 60, Holburn Street, Aberdeen, AB10 6BX, Telephone 01224 588120

Health food shop which specialises in organic food, special dietary requirements, and herbal remedies.

Dogtime raw dog food supplies, Kintewline Cottage, Blairs, Aberdeen, AB12 5YQ

Raw dog food company based in Aberdeen, supplying high quality human grade raw dog food to the North East of Scotland and the North.

Highlands

The Phoenix Findhorn, Moray, Scotland, Telephone 01309 690110

The Phoenix is an award-winning community owned shop based in the beautiful Findhorn area. Specialises in local, organic, Fairtrade, ethical products.

Do you have a favourite raw foods shop or service in Scotland? Please add their details to the comments below, thanks!

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ABOUT

Lisa Murphy BSc.(hons), PG Dip. Couns., Dip.C.Hyp/NLP, is a hypnotherapist & counsellor who specialises in weight issues, anxiety, and stress-management.

Lisa has followed a rawfoods lifestyle since 2003, and incorporates rawfood support and coaching into her healthy living therapies.

For more details of Lisa’s therapies and weight-loss courses please visit www.CherryTherapies.com

 

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