The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw

by Mark Reinfeld, Jennifer Murray, Bo Rinaldi

A raw food diet is a purely healthy diet.

More people than ever are turning to a raw food diet. In this guide, readers will find the secrets to raw food weight loss; how raw foods can heal the body and boost energy and enthusiasm; information on the anti-aging properties of raw food; and 100+ recipes that show how raw foods can be combined into delectable meals.

• Fully explains the benefits of this increasingly popular diet choice, plus presents a mini cookbook that gets readers started on their new regimen
• Recently published studies indicate that rheumatoid and fibromyalgia patients—who number in the millions—can benefit from an uncooked vegan diet rich in antioxidants, lactobacilli, and fiber

Genres: Cookbooks, Health, Nonfiction, Vegan, Cooking, Nutrition, Diets

330 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Mark Reinfeld has been preparing inspired gourmet vegan and live food cuisine for over 15 years. He is the recipient of the 2006 Platinum Carrot Award for living foods – a national award given by the Aspen Center for Integral Health to America’s ‘Top Healthy Gourmet Chefs.’ Though his roots are in New York, he developed his love for World culture and cuisine while traveling through Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. To further his knowledge of the healing properties of food, he received a Masters Degree in Holistic Nutrition from the Clayton School of Natural Healing. For Mark, Vegan Fusion World Cuisine is an offering of Peace and Healing, a life work culmination of years of travel, adventure, and reflection. It combines the beauty and wonders of nature with the wisdom and cuisine of the World’s cultures.

Reviews

[Jenn "JR" · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I like about the Dummies series is the format. You know what you are getting - while some of the authors do a better job of it than others - you're expecting a primer, a comprehensive introduction. Unlike some other cookbooks I've reviewed recently (notably, Ani Phyo's book) - this one is very factual and filled with real cooking science & nutritional information. There's not any self-indulgent rambling, New Age nonsense or pretentious/vain photoshoots of the author(s) looking ridiculously thin & pious while eating something on a streetcorner clad in pricey Lululemon yoga togs.

In fact - there aren't many images at all! The book is jam packed with great information, tutorials and recipes. There is even a meal plan for a 4- week program to transition to raw or just to lose weight & try out a lot of recipes.

While I would not consider myself a beginner - I did learn some interesting facts and quite admire the clean, methodical & organized way that the authors have presented the content. This is a book that I would happily pass along to my 65 year old mom or her 70 year old sister and feel confident that they would be up and running within a week, whipping up delicious raw nut cheeses and other goodies.

However, I'm not handing off this book because I want to try some of the recipes - there are some great recipes for the dehydrator as well as some nice sauces, dressings and other items. I get the sense that some of the recipes are similar to the Cafe Gratitude cookbook - but, when it comes down to it - there's only so many ways to soak almonds and make pate and some are much more popular to our palates than others.

I highly recommend this cookbook as your first raw/vegan cookbook - great information and instructions that will ensure success, hence, delight & enjoyment.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

*A smart choice for eating raw*

Admittedly, I usually steer clear of the guidebooks in the "Idiots" and "Dummies" collections (something about those terms just turns me off!), but I think I made a smart choice in deciding to read _The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw_.

A great primer for anyone just embarking on the raw food journey (as well as a great refresher and reference for more seasoned raw journey-ists), this book offers an impressive breadth and depth of usable content. After reading this book, you'll come away with a solid understanding of the benefits, techniques, and preparation of raw foods. Even if you just buy it for the 150+ recipes, it's worth the cost of the book. It's a fun read, with interesting facts, hints, and tips sprinkled throughout the pages. _The Complete Idiot's Guide to Eating Raw_ definitely serves as a smart choice for anyone interested in incorporating more raw foods into their lifestyle.

Hmmm.....maybe I should go and check out some of those other Idiot/Dummies guides I've been avoiding.

[Lauri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very thorough and complete guide for becoming raw. This book covers everything from how to stock your pantry, what types/brands of appliances are recommended, to the healthful benefits of sprouting, to detox "fasts", to sample meal plans. The book is in no way overly zealous and offers lots of recipes while encouraging you to experiment on your own. I'm really excited to try many of these recipes and techniques, especially sprouting and making raw cheeses. My dehydrator arrives this week and then I'll start playing!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the format and the tips. But it seemed like you would need a lot of equipment to follow most of their recipes (juicers, food processors, dehydrators). I don't know anyone who has the latter.

But overall it was an interesting read.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I have no plans to transition to a raw food diet, I found several very simple recipes that I'd like to make and enjoyed learning about a few new food prep ideas--sprouting, dehydrating, and fancy kitchen tools like a mandolin. There really is nothing scientific to eating raw, and of course there were unsubstantiated statements throughout the book. A plant-based diet does, however, have strong scientific evidence. Good book if you want a few ideas about new things to try as a vegetarian, or as a primer to eating raw.

[Kristiina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book to read if you are interested in eating raw or adding more healthy foods to your diet. There are lots of recipes but I haven't tried many because you need a lot of kitchen gadgets to prepare it since you are using an oven. The nice thing is it explains the raw food movement and what is considered raw very well.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

great resource.. one to put on my bookshelf. library book.

[Gayle Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Borrowed from the Commerce Public Library.
This is a good introduction to a healthy way of eating and includes lots of tasty recipes.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to incorporate more raw food into my diet, and this is a great resource for getting started. It includes lots of recipes as well as covering basic things like dehydrating and sprouting.

[Lisa Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★½ - Took Mark's course last week (taught by Deb Kay) up in Portland, OR, and it was fabulous. While I doubt if I go completely "raw," there are some great recipes in this book.

[Martha Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous. It's all raw and vegan. Love this uncook book.