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Raw-Vitalize: The Easy, 21-Day Raw Food Recharge
A day-by-day guide to clean, raw eating
Catch the wave of health and good living with this easy and delicious 21-day raw food plan. Mimi Kirk and her daughter, Mia Kirk White, developed the plan when they decided to team up and remind themselves of the benefits of eating all raw, all the time.
They needed a plan that would work with their busy schedules, with meals that would fit into a set menu, but still allow them to mix and match foods. These recipes are so good, you’ll make them again and again. Raw-Vitalize includes shopping lists, make-ahead prep ideas, and tips for eating on the go.
Catch the wave of health and good living with this easy and delicious 21-day raw food plan. Mimi Kirk and her daughter, Mia Kirk White, developed the plan when they decided to team up and remind themselves of the benefits of eating all raw, all the time.
They needed a plan that would work with their busy schedules, with meals that would fit into a set menu, but still allow them to mix and match foods. These recipes are so good, you’ll make them again and again. Raw-Vitalize includes shopping lists, make-ahead prep ideas, and tips for eating on the go.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 3, 2017
132 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 26, 2017
I bought this book because I'm interested in incorporating more raw foods into my diet, not because I wanted to do a recharge. Throughout the spring and summer months I ate raw for breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dessert. (At dinner I would eat whatever my family was eating.) I'm happy to report that., for the most part, the recipes in this book taste FABULOUS, even when you're not eating 100% raw. The photographs are stunning, and, best of all, it's easy to replicate the beautiful dishes when you follow their instructions!
There are, however, a couple things I would change about this book:
1) The blurbs under the recipe headings... I'm the type of person that reads those (weird, I know, but I always have), and I appreciate it when cookbook authors amuse me or provide loads of helpful information about a recipe. The blurbs in this book are only slightly helpful (after all, there are not very many complicated techniques in raw cooking) and they mostly seemed like random collections of thoughts about the recipe or the ingredients. But that's a small complaint, really, since the true test of a cookbook is whether the recipes are good, and these usually are.
2) The claim that each recipe takes 10-15 minutes to prepare. I am slow in the kitchen, granted, but even if I was a knife wizard I doubt very much that I would be able to wash, chop, and clean up from my prep in only 15 minutes for most of these recipes. The chia puddings, banana pudding, and smoothies are exceptions, but for the most part I found that I needed 30 minutes to an hour to make each meal.
My copy of this book is stuffed with sticky notes, which I wrote to myself. For my review, I thought it'd be fun to share them. :)
>>> Chia pudding, page 52- Yum! (Maple syrup is optional here, although one of my favorite ways to eat this is with a banana and a drizzle of maple syrup.)
>>> Quick Granola and Almond Milk, page 60- I make a double batch, but it's filling and stays with me a long time on those mornings I won't have time to snack.
>>> Chia Seed Cranberry Oat Bar, page 63- SO GOOD, as long as none of the nuts/seeds are stale. (I made one batch using stale sunflower seeds and that was less than wonderful.) I love the pumpkin pie spice flavor with the cranberries.
>>> Mango pudding, page 66- This recipe made me discover how much I love mangos! I had never really thought about them much before. <3 It's labor-intensive (due to the fact that you must remember to soak the cashews and you have to prepare the mango, never an easy task) but yummy.
>>> Chocolate Chia Seed Overnight Pudding, page 72- Even my mom likes this!
>>> Banana Vanilla Smoothie, page 76- Honestly? Not my favorite.
>>> Banana Pudding, page 79- I make this all the time for breakfast, but I don't mix in the seeds. Instead, I pour them on top like an artsy/pretty granola, then sprinkle cinnamon over the whole thing and voila!
>>> Creamy Thai Soup, page 95- This soup is delish! I substitute chives for the onion-y stuff that the recipe calls for, since that's what we have growing in our backyard.
>>> Kale Caesar, pages 96-98- Hilarious and yummy.
>>> Amazing Caesar Salad, pages 99-101- IT REALLY IS AMAZING. <3 I double the dressing if I can, in order to have plenty of leftovers.
>>> Street Taco, pages 112-113- Once again, this is not my favorite. But I'm kind of a taco freak, so I can understand why this might not measure up.
>>> Avocado Vessel, pages 114-115- THIS. One of my favorite things! My entire family likes it.
>>> Cheezy Noodles, pages 141-142- Good, if you keep in mind that it's not cheese.
>>> Curried Cream of Carrot Soup, page 148- I like this. It could be a little spicier (so next time I want to add more ginger) but it's good.
>>> Sweet Corn Chowder, page 153- This is a waste of half of an avocado that I could be eating plain. Or with that amazing tomato-radish salad.
>>> Pad Thai, pages 165-167- The dressing is AMAZING but honestly, the salad part isn't worth the hassle of all that washing, shredding, chopping, etc. I followed the recipe the first time, but ever since I've just shredded one or two veggies (red cabbage and carrot is my favorite combination), added the dressing and enjoyed. I don't even worry about having all the different types of herbs, and I add the extra lime juice to the dressing so I don't have to squeeze it on my salad before eating. (Yes, I am that lazy) ;)
On the dressing page, my sticky note to myself reads,
"KEEP CALM
AND
MAKE A
DOUBLE
BATCH <3 <3 <3"
So yeah, I like it a little, I guess. ;)
>>> Curried Coconut Pasta Bowl, pages 170-171- This is okay, but not as fab as the word "curry" suggests it should be. Also, tons of prep.
>>> White Creative Smoothie, page 189- The best smoothie I've ever had. Just sayin'.
>>> Raw Macaroons, page 192- I've made the regular and chocolate varieties, and they're both delicious.
>>> Banana Almond Butter "Sushi," page 195- I like this for breakfast. :) It's pretty and raw almond butter is one of my favorite foods (another fact I discovered thanks to this book!).
>>> Banana Cinnamon Ice Cream, page 218- Surprisingly delicious considering there's no dairy, dairy substitutes, or added sugars.
There are, however, a couple things I would change about this book:
1) The blurbs under the recipe headings... I'm the type of person that reads those (weird, I know, but I always have), and I appreciate it when cookbook authors amuse me or provide loads of helpful information about a recipe. The blurbs in this book are only slightly helpful (after all, there are not very many complicated techniques in raw cooking) and they mostly seemed like random collections of thoughts about the recipe or the ingredients. But that's a small complaint, really, since the true test of a cookbook is whether the recipes are good, and these usually are.
2) The claim that each recipe takes 10-15 minutes to prepare. I am slow in the kitchen, granted, but even if I was a knife wizard I doubt very much that I would be able to wash, chop, and clean up from my prep in only 15 minutes for most of these recipes. The chia puddings, banana pudding, and smoothies are exceptions, but for the most part I found that I needed 30 minutes to an hour to make each meal.
My copy of this book is stuffed with sticky notes, which I wrote to myself. For my review, I thought it'd be fun to share them. :)
>>> Chia pudding, page 52- Yum! (Maple syrup is optional here, although one of my favorite ways to eat this is with a banana and a drizzle of maple syrup.)
>>> Quick Granola and Almond Milk, page 60- I make a double batch, but it's filling and stays with me a long time on those mornings I won't have time to snack.
>>> Chia Seed Cranberry Oat Bar, page 63- SO GOOD, as long as none of the nuts/seeds are stale. (I made one batch using stale sunflower seeds and that was less than wonderful.) I love the pumpkin pie spice flavor with the cranberries.
>>> Mango pudding, page 66- This recipe made me discover how much I love mangos! I had never really thought about them much before. <3 It's labor-intensive (due to the fact that you must remember to soak the cashews and you have to prepare the mango, never an easy task) but yummy.
>>> Chocolate Chia Seed Overnight Pudding, page 72- Even my mom likes this!
>>> Banana Vanilla Smoothie, page 76- Honestly? Not my favorite.
>>> Banana Pudding, page 79- I make this all the time for breakfast, but I don't mix in the seeds. Instead, I pour them on top like an artsy/pretty granola, then sprinkle cinnamon over the whole thing and voila!
>>> Creamy Thai Soup, page 95- This soup is delish! I substitute chives for the onion-y stuff that the recipe calls for, since that's what we have growing in our backyard.
>>> Kale Caesar, pages 96-98- Hilarious and yummy.
>>> Amazing Caesar Salad, pages 99-101- IT REALLY IS AMAZING. <3 I double the dressing if I can, in order to have plenty of leftovers.
>>> Street Taco, pages 112-113- Once again, this is not my favorite. But I'm kind of a taco freak, so I can understand why this might not measure up.
>>> Avocado Vessel, pages 114-115- THIS. One of my favorite things! My entire family likes it.
>>> Cheezy Noodles, pages 141-142- Good, if you keep in mind that it's not cheese.
>>> Curried Cream of Carrot Soup, page 148- I like this. It could be a little spicier (so next time I want to add more ginger) but it's good.
>>> Sweet Corn Chowder, page 153- This is a waste of half of an avocado that I could be eating plain. Or with that amazing tomato-radish salad.
>>> Pad Thai, pages 165-167- The dressing is AMAZING but honestly, the salad part isn't worth the hassle of all that washing, shredding, chopping, etc. I followed the recipe the first time, but ever since I've just shredded one or two veggies (red cabbage and carrot is my favorite combination), added the dressing and enjoyed. I don't even worry about having all the different types of herbs, and I add the extra lime juice to the dressing so I don't have to squeeze it on my salad before eating. (Yes, I am that lazy) ;)
On the dressing page, my sticky note to myself reads,
"KEEP CALM
AND
MAKE A
DOUBLE
BATCH <3 <3 <3"
So yeah, I like it a little, I guess. ;)
>>> Curried Coconut Pasta Bowl, pages 170-171- This is okay, but not as fab as the word "curry" suggests it should be. Also, tons of prep.
>>> White Creative Smoothie, page 189- The best smoothie I've ever had. Just sayin'.
>>> Raw Macaroons, page 192- I've made the regular and chocolate varieties, and they're both delicious.
>>> Banana Almond Butter "Sushi," page 195- I like this for breakfast. :) It's pretty and raw almond butter is one of my favorite foods (another fact I discovered thanks to this book!).
>>> Banana Cinnamon Ice Cream, page 218- Surprisingly delicious considering there's no dairy, dairy substitutes, or added sugars.
December 20, 2018
Raw food is known to help energize a person and improve certain health conditions. It has always seemed so daunting to eat this way. This book makes is so simple and easy to follow the 21-day plan, with an assurance that each recipe can be prepared within 15 minutes. There are shopping lists included, recipes, beautiful photos, answers to common questions and more. Such an inspiring book that I can't wait to try. Many very original ideas that are mouth watering as well. I love this book!
ADDENDUM: It has been two weeks since I started this incredible diet. I have only managed to get up to day 8 of the recipes because many of the recipes were enough for two meals instead of one. The food was simple and quick to prepare and the shopping list was full of easy to find items at my grocery store. I love all the recipes tested so far except for maybe one that I am not too fond of. The food is so delicious. Digestion has improved and I feel more energetic and vibrant. My husband has even enjoyed some of these recipes even though he is not a big vegetable eater. I plan to eat a large percentage of my diet with raw food for the rest of my life. SO WORTH IT!
ADDENDUM: It has been two weeks since I started this incredible diet. I have only managed to get up to day 8 of the recipes because many of the recipes were enough for two meals instead of one. The food was simple and quick to prepare and the shopping list was full of easy to find items at my grocery store. I love all the recipes tested so far except for maybe one that I am not too fond of. The food is so delicious. Digestion has improved and I feel more energetic and vibrant. My husband has even enjoyed some of these recipes even though he is not a big vegetable eater. I plan to eat a large percentage of my diet with raw food for the rest of my life. SO WORTH IT!
January 5, 2017
Easy to follow 21 day raw food plan with shopping lists and recipes. These recipes are savory (and desserts are sweet) with flavors very approachable to most palates (think chili, pesto, ranch) but all raw vegan.
January 15, 2020
I love the recipes and have been doing this book for several weeks now. Even my flexitarian husband tried several recipes. My kids are thrilled in particular with the breakfast options. Not that we ate bad before as plant-based family but the “je ne sais quoi” of some recipes got them excited. Thank you ladies for writing this easy to follow book with simple recipes and especially that the recipes are quickly to make after an eventful day.
October 9, 2018
Awesome book. I love the grocery list, every cook book should have one. It took me a good 10 years to get this far with the raw foods diet. 80% is what I am doing. I am not saying the success was due to this book but it helped. No dehydrator required.
May 3, 2019
Fantastic. Will purchase this one🌈
February 21, 2022
Great recipes, beautiful photos, thoughtful comments. I’m incorporating more raw meals and her book nails it. Looking forward to making more dishes. So far the cheezy noodles were a winner.
February 4, 2017
Fantastic recipe book of raw vegan deliciousness. Mimi Kirk and Mia Kirk White did a spectacular job putting this 21 day challenge of recipes together. Shopping list, and menus.....really great. Being a plant based food consumer I truly appreciate this book. I have Mimi's other 2 books and love them too.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews